Glenn Ashby, 2009 A-Cat World Champion. Image copyright Andrea Francolini.
by Rob Kothe
Five times A-Class Catamaran World Champion Australian Glenn Ashby this morning, 8th January, won the 2009 A-Cat World Championship for a sixth time, when he streeted the fleet in Race 7 of the nine race series.
Ashby started the series slowly by his standards, with a third in the light weather first race in the series; he then won five of the next six races. There are two more races that can still be sailed but with the two worst results able to be dropped, the Beijing Tornado class Olympic Silver medallist cannot be beaten in this series.
Ashby gave the fleet a clinical sailing lesson. He started immediately next to the Committee boat, swinging around its stern just three seconds before the gun. Ashby's start was perfectly timed and he was away one second after the gun, heading starboard for 300 metres, he then tacked right.
Ashby was followed by 1996 Olympic Tornado Bronze medallist Andrew Landenberger.
At the bottom mark after one lap, Landenberger was ahead by 20 metres and had gone further to the right. Landenberger headed left back up the course, while Ashby went right, followed by 2001 A-Cat World Champion Steve Brewin.
By the next lap Ashby was well clear of Landenberger. Brewin was next, followed by Scott Anderson, Manuel Calavia and then Brad Collett and Tom Slingsby.
Down the final run Ashby cleared right away to take a very convincing 1 minute and 56 second win.
The modest Victorian just grinned as he crossed the line; he then lined up for race eight of the series.
The focus now shifts to the battle for the minor podium places with 2001 A-Cat World Champion Steve Brewin looking like the bridesmaid again.
With another 'worst result' race drop tomorrow, Australian 1984 Olympic Tornado Silver medallist Scott Anderson is fighting to hold off a solid group, which includes Swiss sailor Luc du Bois, Spain's Manuel Calavia and BMW Oracle match racer, Australia's James Spithill.
A-Cat Worlds 2009
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