SailRaceWin: 10/01/2010

Saturday, 16 January 2010

America's Cup: Alinghi 5 sails in Valencia for first time

Alinghi 5 sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Luca Butto'/Alinghi.

Ernesto Bertarelli, team president, welcomes local authorities

by Daphne Morgan Barnicoat

Alinghi welcomed the Valencia authorities to its base in the Dársena this afternoon to watch the Defender's giant catamaran, Alinghi 5, be launched ahead of its first sail in Spanish waters. Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi team president, greeted Francisco Camps, the president of the region, and Rita Barberá, the Valencia mayoress, who presented him with the Valencia flag which was immediately raised on board Alinghi 5.

Alinghi 5 launching in Valencia. Image copyright Luca Butto'/Alinghi.

“We are ready for the Match!” declared Bertarelli to the media present. “The team is here, I am here and we are prepared for the America's Cup Match on the 8 February,” he said. "All the pieces are in place for the event to begin, we have an agreement with the City of Valencia to run the shore based side of the 33rd America's Cup, and we are just waiting for the blessing of the central government in Madrid.”

Alinghi 5 sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Luca Butto'/Alinghi.

As the vast sails were lifted on to the catamaran with a crane, the latest lawsuit – BMW Oracle's ninth – was discussed; Ernesto Bertarelli was firm on the subject: “Our sails are rooted in Swiss technology and they have been constructed in Villeneuve, Switzerland. This Swiss technology has been used by both defenders and challengers in the America's Cup since 1995 and we have been through years of development in Switzerland to construct them. Should the American justice system outlaw their use, it would be like asking Roger Federer to defend his title without using his tennis racket. BMW Oracle would win the America's Cup in court as, without our sails, we cannot race.”

The Valencia flag was raised on board Alinghi 5. Image copyright Luca Butto'/Alinghi.

As Alinghi 5 cast off, Ernesto hopped on board the catamaran and the guests boarded the support boats to watch Alinghi 5 go for a shake down sail ahead of the race training programme that begins tomorrow.

Alinghi

50th Anniversary of Rio's first Star Worlds

Star practice in Rio. Image copyright Regattapix.

by Lynn Fitzpatrick

Violent thunder storms swept through Rio last night. The heavy downpour cooled Rio down and left some streets flooded. This morning, it is overcast with flat seas and a nice breeze. The local forecast calls for more rain. The Opening Ceremony was at 10:00 am and will be followed by a Practice Race, which is not a traditional course. Instead, the Practice Race follows the course of a traditional regatta held in Rio, a tour of Guanabara Bay.

In 2011 the world will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Star. This year, Rio is celebrating the fact that it has just won the bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The first major international sporting event to take place since the announcement is 50th Anniversary of the first time that Star World Championship was held in Rio de Janeiro. On Friday, the Practice Race and the Opening Ceremony will take place and the Brazilian media will be at Yacht Club Rio de Janeiro to follow the progress of the 24 Brazilian teams entered in the regatta.

In 1960, the same year that Torben Grael was born, Rio de Janeiro played host to a 46-boat Star fleet. While the fleet was slightly more than half the size of this year’s fleet, it was top-heavy with talent. Defending Star World Champion, Lowell North teamed up with one of Southern California’s legendary crews, Tom Skahill, to win North’s third Star World Championship title in four years. North won his record fourth Star World Championship title in 1973 with Tom Barrett on San Diego Bay.

Star practice in Rio. Image copyright Regattapix.

The second time the Star World Championship was held in Rio was in 1980. Tom Blackaller and David Shaw, representing West San Francisco Bay, won on count back to Albino Fravezzi and Oscar Dalvit from South Garda. Rumor has it that Fravezzi and Dalvit still sail together on Lake Garda after all these years.

In 1996, the last time that the Star Worlds was held in Rio, Enrico Chieffi and Roberto Sinibaldi edged out defending World Champions Mark Reynolds and Hal Haenel from San Diego Bay and Torben Grael and Marcelo Ferreira from Guanabara Bay.

Just as in 1996, the defending World Champion is from San Diego Bay and Grael and Ferreira are but one of the strong local teams with a shot at the World Championship title.

Words from the 1960 Star World Championship regatta report as published in the Star Class Log:
“But first a word about Guanabara Bay... this body of water was Utopia, and sailors of diverse origins shared these sentiments. The southern extreme of the bay is punctuated by famed Sugar Loaf and Corcovado, the city of Rio lies along the western shore, and the harbor is studded with ships waiting to unload. After a six-mile tow to the starting line, mandated daily by the southeast wind direction, the Bay provided plenty of room and excellent racing conditions. ...the Brazilian hosts provided excellent facilities and a wonderful place to sail, and outdid themselves in hospitality.”

Star Worlds 2010

Friday, 15 January 2010

Bertrand, Slingsby and Palfrey win 2010 Etchells Australian titles

Triad (Bertrand, Palfrey and Slingsby) rounds the mark. Image copyright John Curnow.

by Rob Kothe

Today Races 7 and 8 of The Murphy & Nye 2010 International Etchells Australian Championship were sailed from the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club, NSW. Yesterday America's Cup sailor Adam Beashel had shone with two wins, so the pressure was on.

In a masterful display, John Bertrand, Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey on Triad showed just how it should be done and this very talented trio showed it will be a strong force at the 2010 Etchells Worlds in Dublin.

Race 7 finally got away in breeze of about eight knots, with the sun threatening to break throught the cloud cover.

As in previous days, many competitors suffered a rush of blood resulting in a general recall.

The fleet settled and at the start Damien King (Barry) five from the pin, had a bad start and was squeezed out. He eventually found a clear lane and went right, crossing the right hand group of the fleet.

Ian Johnston (Bananas in Pyjamas) was well advanced, as was Julian Plante (North Star). John Bertrand (Triad) came from the right of the left hand group while yesterday's winner Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7) was well to the right.

At the top mark for the first time it was Ian Johnston (Banana in Pyjamas) who led the fleet, with Bill Steele (Dragon Lady) second. King recovered from the bad start to be third, with John Bertrand (Triad) fourth. Nick Knezic (Count Boris Secret Rendezvous) was next, then Plante (North Star), Steve Gunther (Magic Buzz), Mark Thornburrow (Dream On (Racer x)), Glen Nattrass (Ganesh) and Tom Woods (Echo Beach). Graeme Taylor (Magpie) was back in eleventh.

Approaching the mark Taylor was fifth and coming in on the port lay line but could not find a hole, was forced to go round again and dropped back to eleventh. Beashel was buried, deep very deep, 42nd around the top mark.

On the first run down and on the beat John Bertrand (Triad) made some smart decisions, coming back up the middle of the course to take the lead. Julian Plante (North Star) took the same line and did equally well. Damien King (Barry) went further to the right up the beat and dropped from third down to seventh.

At the top mark once again Graeme Taylor came in on port and this time managed to find a space but hardly advanced in the fleet. Conditions dropped to five-six knots, with the sun shining, as the fleet approached the finish.

John Bertrand (Triad) retained his lead to win Race 7 from Ian Johnston (Bananas in Pyjamas) with the fast finishing Tom King (Iron Lotus) third. Julian Plante (North Star) was fourth, Bill Steele (Dragon Lady) fifth, then Brendan Garner (The Moe Szyslak Experience), Todd Wybom (Seven 50), Tom Woods (Echo Beach) and Mark Bulka (Perfect Balance).

Race 7 winner John Bertrand said 'It's all or nothing on the right. We played the shifts up the middle.'

The 'mover' in this race was certainly Mark Bulka (Perfect Balance) who was 45th at the top mark behind Beashel. He made up 15 places on the last beat, picked up a shift down the last run and moved up from 20th to tenth.

Bulka was quite pleased to be in the top ten finishers. 'It's a new boat, we don't quite had the rig quite right, but we are getting there' he said.

Race 8

The breeze was shifting, 170 through to 120, which delayed the start of Race 8.

PRO Ross Wilson and the Race Committee set the course at 140, with 1.5 nautical mile legs.

Tom King (Iron Lotus) started fast on the pin, Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7) was mid line as was Graeme Taylor (Magpie). John Bertrand (Triad) started further up the line.

After the start Tom King kept going left to the Green Point quarry, while Ian Johnston (Bananas in Pyjamas) who started well up from the pin end, also kept that course.

As he did in Race 7, John Bertrand played the middle of the course. With perfect crew work by Bertrand, Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey it was a very convincing display as Triad led into the top mark, ahead of Lindsay Kennedy (Addiction), Chris Pratt (La Vie Dansante), Jake Gunther (The Boat), Tom Braidwood (Fantazia), Tom King (Iron Lotus), Mark Langford (Critical Balance), Mark Bulka (Perfect Balance), Doug Flynn (Wobbegong), Glen Nattrass (Ganesh) and Peter McNeill (Absolute Pearler).

If Bertrand was to win this race, he and his crew would not have to sail tomorrow's Race 9, as his drop is currently a seventh.

Down the course Bertrand's white spinnaker continued to annoy the fleet. As Bertrand approached the bottom mark the course was changing to 120.

Fleet under spinnaker - Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship. Image copyright Sail-World.com/AUS.

At the top mark with one lap to go Bertrand was well ahead, 65 seconds in front of Kennedy, Pratt and Gunther, who had moved up by five places. Braidwood was fifth, then Damien King (Barry), Tom King, Langford, Bulka, Flynn, Nattrass and McNeill.

At the bottom mark turning to come up to the finish the lead had extended to 2 minutes and 5 seconds.

Bertrand has shown the Etchells fleet just why he is a champion and Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey, both Olympians, are indeed talented crew.

Bertrand (Triad) sailed away with the race. Lindsay Kennedy (Addiction) was second, Tom King (Iron Lotus) third, Tom Braidwood (Fantazia) fourth with Chris Pratt (La Vie Dansante) fifth. Doug Flynn (Wobbegong) was next then Jake Gunther (The Boat) and Damien King (Barry).

Dockside John Bertrand commented 'There's terrific competition at these Australian titles.

'Today we were in harmony with Mother Nature. Or as they say we are in the zone and it worked out very well for us, we are very pleased with the results. To sail with Tom Slingsby as tactician and Andrew Palfrey ... just a fantastic crew. So little said on the boat, because the team works so well.

'Today it was really tricky, light and variable out there. We tended to sail the middle of the course. When you get into one corner or the other you have no choice, so it has to be pretty powerful reason to be there.

'We had no bias one way or the other, we just sailed the shifts with the breeze splitting between the headlands and it worked out well for us today.

'For me it is just a thrill to sail with these modern Olympians, they are both very much in tune with the wind and boat speed. We get on very well on the boat. When I am about to suggest a change, it's already happened.

'We are going to Ireland to the do the 2010 Etchells Worlds. You are only here for three score and ten so you give it your best shot and that is what we are going to do.

'A week after the Etchells Worlds in Dublin, Tommy has the Laser Worlds. We have promised Victor Kovelenko the Australian Sailing Team head Coach, to deliver Tommy safe and sound in good body and mind for that event, so he knows we won't be able to beat up on him too much in Ireland.'

Graeme Taylor (Magpie) smiled, 'Congratulations to John, Tom and Andrew. They certainly deserved to win. Now we have another battle tomorrow. So far we've had good boat speed and we've done some good things and we've made some costly mistakes, but we look forward to tomorrow.'

Damian King (Barry). 'After John and the guys, it's been so close for the rest of us. It will be tight again tomorrow.'

John Bertrand, Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey (Triad) have won the Murphy & Nye 2010 Australian Etchells Championship with one race to spare.

Series Results [One Design ET] up to Race 8 (Drops = 1)
Place Boat Name From Skipper Series R8 R7 R6 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1

1 Triad RBYC John Bertrand 15 1 1 2 [7.0] 1 2 5 3
2 Barry SYC Damien King 43 9 6 9 6 3 5 [21.0] 5
3 Magpie MYC Graeme Taylor 46 14 [27.0] 3 2 4 4 13 6
4 Steam Packet 7 RPAYC Adam Beashel 54 19 [40.0] 1 1 2 1 20 10
5 Banana's in Pyjama's RBYC Ian Johnston 58 [28.0] 2 14 5 8 8 14 7
6 Iron Lotus RSYS Tom King 58 3 3 11 8 12 [17.0] 12 9
7 Perfect Balance RBYC Mark Bulka 64 10 10 6 14 15 [30.0] 1 8
8 North Star RPAYC Julian Plante 65 24 4 4 9 [27.0] 16 4 4
9 B Squared LMYC Gary Boyd 72 18 [38.0] 20 10 6 14 3 1
10 Fantazia LMYC Tom Braidwood 72 4 [23.0] 7 11 18 9 10 13
11 Why be flat LMYC Kane Sinclair 78 25 11 12 3 11 10 6 [25.0]
12 Absolute Pearler LMYC Peter McNeill 87 11 [30.0] 28.0G 15 5 3 2 23
13 Pedro II RBYC Kirwan Robb 103 13 12 16 13 10 [26.0] 22 17
14 Tusk RPYC Brad Sheridan 108 27 14 10 [31.0] 21 7 8 21
15 Tango RBYC Chris Hampton 113 [41.0] 37 8 19 17 11 9 12
16 Echo Beach LMYC Tom Woods 120 [35.0] 8 19 20 14 13 19 27
17 The Moe Szyslak Expe RGYC Brendan Gardner 126 23 7 [35.0] 4 28 15 27 22
18 Critical Balance LMYC Mark Langford 128 12 18 27 23 13 24 [29.0] 11
19 Addiction GH Lindsay Kennedy 129 2 19 22 28 25 22 11 [30.0]
20 Bushfire RSYS Jervis Tilly 129 15 [28.0] 13 26 22 20 17 16
21 The Boat RBYC Jake Gunther 140 8 41 15 16 9 12 [44.0] 39
22 Seven 50 LMYC Todd Wyborn 151 36 9 [43.0] 17 31 6 37 15
23 Odyssey RPAYC Peter (Billy) Merrin 158 29 21 5 [35.0] 20 18 32 33
24 Dream On (Racer x) RHKYC Mark Thornburrow 158 [37.0] 25 31 18 7 29 24 24
25 Wobbegong CYCA Doug Flynn 159 6 16 21 33 23 40 [49.0] 20
26 La Vie Dansante RSAYS Chris Pratt 162 5 33 25 [59.0F] 30 25 30 14
27 Magic Buzz RBYC Steve Gunther 163 31 29 [33.0] 27 19 23 15 19
28 Ganesh RSYS Glenn Nattress 171 7 17 32 37 34 [50.0] 16 28
29 The Nurse SYC Ross Lloyd 173 [46.0] 20 42 12 44 19 18 18
30 Alchemist RSYS Richard Hammond 183 21 13 [44.0] 40 26 31 23 29
31 Miramar RPAYC Mark Doyle 193 17 22 23 36 29 32 [55.0] 34
32 Cruise Control CSC Paul Minter 200 20 34 28 25 33 [37.0] 34 26
33 Chill Pill RFBYC Rob Bird 201 59.0C [59.0C] 40 29 24 21 26 2
34 Count Boris's Secret RBYC Nick Knezic 220 33 15 36 21 35 45 [47.0] 35
35 Ivy GSC John Denton 224 22 51 30 42 16 [52.0] 31 32
36 Vertigo LMYC Doug Williams 236 [52.0] 39 29 22 43 36 25 42
37 Two Speed RSYS Nigel Nattrass 239 [47.0] 43 18 39 38 27 43 31
38 Dragon Lady RPYC Bill Steele 246 42 5 [59.0Q] 48 32 35 28 56
39 Dutch Moth LMYC Aaron Hampo 248.5 49 [54.0] 26 30 37 28 38 40.5
40 Carabella IV RSYS Matthew Mc Cann 250.5 32 47 45 [47.0] 40 39 7 40.5
41 Rapscallion RQYS David Healey 254 34 35 37 32 [50.0] 44 36 36
42 Touch Pause Engage RSYS Michael Stovin-Bradf 258 44 [45.0] 17 38 39 43 40 37
43 Concubine RSAYS Jason Ward 276 50 [56.0] 41 24 36 41 33 51
44 Three Ring Circus MYC Trevor Martin 287 40 46 34 34 [59.0Q] 34 54 45
45 Resurgent LMYC Christopher Rabbidge 287 [55.0] 36 38 41 42 42 39 49
46 Tian Hou MYC Simon Ellis 290 16 31 46 59.0F 55 48 35 [59.0Q]
47 Jazasa RSYS Jan Muysken 298 26 48 39 51 45 46 [51.0] 43
48 License To Chill LMYC Bryce Johnson 299 39 32 49 44 46 51 [53.0] 38
49 Mens Shirts-Short Sk RBYC Peter Stubbings 307 45 42 51 45 [54.0] 38 42 44
50 Go With The flow LMYC Robert Griffits 310 43 24 [59.0R] 46 41 57 52 47
51 QRS RSYS Alistair Stone 313 [53.0] 26 50 49 47 47 48 46
52 Surprise RSYS Adrian Fisk 330 48 53 47 50 49 33 50 [53.0]
53 Back in Business RBYC John Coates 337 54 49 48 43 53 49 41 [54.0]
54 Predator GSC Greg Humphries 341 38 44 59.0C [59.0F] 51 53 46 50
55 Champagne Charlie CYCA Mike Thackray 351 30 52 52 52 [59.0F] 56 57 52
56 7 To 4 LMYC Bruce Cheek 366 56 50 53 53 52 54 [56.0] 48
57 Max Power LMYC Keith Ritchie 368 51 55 59.0C [59.0Q] 48 55 45 55
58 Mojo LMYC Ian Knight 413 59.0C 59.0C 59.0C 59.0C 59.0C 59.0C 59.0V [59.0V]

Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championships

Who will wear the King of the Docklands crown in 2010?

Off and racing in the King of the Docklands at Audi Victoria Week. Image copyright Andrea Francolini/Audi.

by Di Pearson

The King of the Docklands starts off an action-packed week of racing at Audi Victoria Week starting January 21, when winners from each of the 19 competing divisions from the previous two years’ events gather at Waterfront City at the Docklands to take their chances.

A huge crowd gathered at Waterfront City last year to take in the fast and thrilling SB3 identical keelboats racing. Some of the world’s best known sailors crossed tacks with every day sailors – from young teenagers to the older generation – some of the latter giving the pros a lesson in sailing, having a better feeling for conditions on their home waters.

One of those was father and son combination, Jock and Hamish MacAdie from Melbourne, who did not let Jock’s recent hip replacement or Hamish’s sprained ankle; three cracked ribs and a perforated ear drum stop them!

The two, who will be back in better shape this year, were a little surprised by their winning performance last year. “We were up against the runners-up of the SB3 Nationals and the pre-race favourites to take home the prize, so we’re pretty pleased,” father Jock said.

“The SB3 is a fantastic little boat and it’s a great racing format. It’s good the organisers are inviting back those from 2008. We were one of the semi-finalists,” he said.

In a major disappointment for all concerned, the 2009 King of the Docklands was abandoned due to severe weather conditions, but those crews that missed out get a second chance this year.

Event Coordinator Doug Jarvis commented: “We were devastated when the weather gods forced us to cancel. We’re installing a second tier semi final, which will see the winners of 2008 and 2009 race off for the prize.”

Not only is it cool to win the crown in this knockout series, similar to 20/20 cricket, at stake too is the richest prize in Australian sailing, a luxury Audi vehicle and a new SB3 keelboat.

A highlight of the Audi Victoria Week program, the event is sailed in the production SB3 boats with spinnakers, so everyone has an equal chance. Those with the best crew work and decisive minds will win.

In this “liquorice allsorts” of the sailing world, players for this great spectator event include multihull sailor Rob Remilton, whose big Farrier F9r Wilparina II is a regular on the on the podium. All the way from SA, Remilton’s son Philip, a flying doctor pilot based in Alice Springs, will fly in to join his dad.

The “youngsters” are well represented. Lachlan Stephens, currently sailing an International Cadet dinghy his father built, will take the helm for his team, as will Royal Geelong Yacht Club sailor William Kelly, who has competed in eight national titles and two worlds in the Cadet, a popular Youth class.

On the ‘Home Team’ are young RGYC sailors Brendan Garner, Jake Newman and Tim Clarke. These stars of the future were highly fancied last year, but came unstuck, perhaps nerves and a bit of stage fright. One year on, this crew will have matured and learnt from their mistakes of last time.

Competing against them is the crew of Alegria, winners of the 2007 and 2009 Audi Australian Championship. In the crew is Adrian ‘Aidz’ Finglas. Alegria’s tactician is also an Olympic and Paralympic coach who helped bring home Paralympic Silver from the 2008 Games. He is also owns 11 Australian titles in various classes. Having represented Australia at Sailing and Triathlon world championships gives him an edge.

A third father and son crew with a proposed team name of ‘The Wicked Aliens’ could have what it takes. Mike and son Mark Welsh finished the Rolex Sydney Hobart in second place overall with their new yacht Wicked, but the mast came tumbling down on the way home to Victoria.

Veterans of Audi Victoria Week, where they are regulars on the podium, their former yacht was Alien – hence the team name. Along with crew Alex, the three have sailed together for over 30 years.

The larrikins on the little Thunderbird Larrikin II, skippered by Darren ‘the smiling assassin’ Pickering, could cause an upset. Crewed by his regulars, Stefan Treurniet and Bec Bohling, Pickering always has something up his sleeve and won’t disappoint. Bohling will be sailing on the SB3, Oceanburo Girls during Audi Victoria Week, so could be the guys’ secret weapon.

Mako Melges is the apt name of Heath Walters sports boat. Crewed by, Rob Brewer and Murray Walters, the three have a ‘take no prisoners; attitude in the Melges class at Audi Victoria Week each year and have multiple titles between them.

However, they will all have to deal with the talented multiple world and national champion Nathan Outteridge, who is looking down the barrel of a second Olympic campaign. He has gun sailors John Harris and Scott Babbage with him who own a few titles of their own.

Outteridge, who will turn 24 later this month, is a keen Audi fan, having been privileged enough to drive one as part of Audi’s sponsorship of the Australian Sailing Team. About as cool and calm under pressure as one could possibly be, Outteridge won the 2008 and 2009 49er World Championship titles and a week ago finished with the silver medal in the Bahamas.

The King of the Docklands, one of two Audi Victoria Week events to be held at Melbourne’s Docklands precinct, will be sailed on January 21 and 22, with live commentary from the incorrigible Ian Cover of ABC radio’s ‘Coodabeen Champions’ fame and Nick Moloney, a successful single and double-handed round the world yachtsman and long time Audi Victoria Week supporter from Melbourne.

Audi Victoria Week

Near record fleet for Audi Victoria Week

Last year's massive fleet shortly after starting the Passage Race. Image copyright Andrea Francolini/Audi.

by Lisa Ratcliff

Entries for Australia’s largest and most established sailing regatta, Audi Victoria Week, closed late last night and today host club, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club is thrilled to announce a huge fleet of 440 yachts.

“Once again the multi-faceted event has attracted a huge range of Australia’s best sailors chasing their share of the silverware, as well as those who come to enjoy the action on and off the water,” said regatta chairman and RGYC vice commodore Andrew Neilson.

“As usual we have made a few changes to freshen things up including adding a production division to the Docklands Invitational event, and adding another off-the-beach class, the Formula 18s, with 25 18 foot skiffs from around the country making their way to Geelong to add plenty of razzle dazzle.

“With Audi coming on board as the new naming rights sponsor of the event, this is the start of a new era. We acknowledge their involvement as well as all our support sponsors,” added Neilson.

During the 166th staging of the longstanding regatta, Victoria’s capital city Melbourne and largest regional city Geelong will host more than 4000 sailors and their families.

The weeklong event comprises the Docklands Invitational (five race series, 21-22 Jan), an invitation-only event, King of the Docklands (21-22 Jan), a knock-out event aboard the SB3s for all divisional winners from the past two year’s, and finally the Audi IRC Series starting with the colourful passage race from Melbourne to Geelong on Saturday 23 January.

Among all the other classes starting in the Passage Race are the big multihulls that normally beat the IRC yachts to Geelong. The ‘multis’ start their series in the lead-up to the Passage Race.

Once in Geelong, 19 classes will race in their own divisions with two state championships, the McConaghy – KA Sails International Moth Victorian Championship and the William Angliss SB3 Victorian Championship, plus a national title is up for grabs, the Club Marine Formula 18 Australian Championship. The event is also the first leg of the Audi IRC Australian Championship.

The largest cruising fleet ever, 212 when entries closed last night, has added plenty of weight and colour to the Audi Victoria Week starting list.

Amongst the Classics contesting is Granuaile, an Irish 18m James Edward Doyle design that was built in the early 1900s as a transatlantic racer. More recently she has worked as a charter boat on the Franklin River in Tasmania.

While the classics are about history and grandeur, the International Moths and the Formula 18s are about the latest in design and construction, and will be the fastest of the classes as they skim across Corio Bay starting Saturday week.

Ten Sydney 38s will race in their one design format with the first over the finish line taking the win, making for spectacularly tight racing amongst a very competitive fleet. The mostly Victorian entries will be looking for the home advantage over the Andrew Corletto’s South Australian Shining Sea and Ray Sweeney’s Queensland entry Mondo.

The Sports Boats division is the biggest on record, 23, and boasts a super strong Melges contingent of seven as well as seven Thompson designs for what should be a tight National Championship series.

The absence of the 60 footers such as Loki and Limit has paved the way for the 50 footers to add their touch of grand prix glamour to the line up, Audi Victoria Week sailing administrator, Rob Hampshire describing the fleet as “about as red hot as you can get anywhere in the country”.

A huge team of yacht club staff, volunteers, and sailing administrators are gearing up to host the massive event, which last year attracted 457 entries. Hampshire estimates close to 250 people will be involved in race administration and logistics at Docklands and Geelong.

In addition to a great racing program, the shoreside program boasts a bumper mix of entertainment and activities.

Over 60 live acts with artists including Darryl Braithwaite, Wendy Matthews, Brian Mannix, Scott Carne and Sean Kelly will perform across three waterfront stages.

The annual Bay FM Fireworks Spectacular will light up the sky on Monday 25, choreographed to music and are always a highlight. There is also the free William Angliss ‘Go Sailing’ program, allowing people of all ages and abilities a chance to test the waters with the aid of a qualified instructor off Eastern Beach.

Audi Victoria Week

Thursday, 14 January 2010

Anna Tunnicliffe: Ready To Tackle The World

TeamTunnicliffe Chasing Down The Opposition. Image copyright, John Payne, January 2010.

by Anna Tunnicliffe

In November last year, I made the hard decision to focus on Women’s Match Racing for 2012 London Olympics. It was a tough decision and took a great deal of soul searching. I love sailing/racing the Laser Radial and the competition in the fleet is very fierce. However, the new Olympic discipline of Women’s Match Racing, combined with the Elliot 6m (an overgrown, physically demanding dinghy) pulled at my heart strings and convinced me to follow that path.

It is quite a different type of sailing. Firstly, the biggest adjustment is sailing with other people. Oh my goodness, there were people on board with whom I could discuss tactics. I still make the final decision, but it is quite enlightening to hear different perspectives. And then, secondly, of course, there is only one other boat on the start line. Certainly something to mess with one’s head.

But that is the other appeal about match racing, women’s or open. In fleet racing, make a mistake and you usually have time to make up for it. In match racing, make a mistake and the fight back has to be instantaneous, although the race isn’t won until the first boat crosses the line. So many more alternatives going through one’s head at one time.

TeamTunnicliffe: Debbie (white hat), Molly (black hat), Anna (no hat). Image copyright, John Payne, January 2010.

And then there is the teamwork. Finding the right people to make up the team is not an easy task. I have been very lucky to have several girls willing to sail with me. For the Elliot 6m, I sail with Molly O'Bryan Vandemoer and Debbie Capozzi. I think sometimes, I am not the most genial person to have at the back of the boat. But like any successful business team, not everyone agrees all the time, but everyone respects everyone’s opinion.

Note from SailRaceWin: Anna goes on to mention the increased cost of a keelboat campaign with a crew of several people, over that of a single-hander - with the need to transport, house and feed between 3 and 5 people for each event attended. This adds to the search for funds for an Olympic campaign!

Anna Tunnicliffe

Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship: Beashel challenges

Under spinnaker - Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship. Image copyright Sail-World/AUS.

by Rob Kothe

Under overcast skies the Etchells left the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club and sailed towards the centre of the Lake.

PRO Ross Wilson set course 165 with legs 2.1 nautical miles in length, starting the fleet in more open waters than yesterday and further off the Carey Bay shoreline.

The breeze was variable, blowing 10 - 18 knots as the fleet went into sequence for Race 5 of the series.

The start was clear with the Etchells going towards the Coal Point shoreline more advanced down the first beat.

The breeze had lifted to 16 knots at the top mark and a new pressure line came through, giving the advantage to those left of middle as they approached the top mark.

At the first mark Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7) led the fleet, followed by Damien King (Barry), Ian Johnston (Bananas in Pyjamas), Graeme Taylor (Magpie), Tom Braidwood (Fantazia), Julian Plante (North Star), Brendan Garner (The Moe Szyslak Experience) and Kane Sinclair (Why be Flat), Bruce Cheek (7 to 4) and John Bertrand (Triad).

Beashel extended his lead down the run while the fleet jostled behind them. At the second top mark Beashel rounded ahead of Garner, who had moved up into second.

Taylor had also moved up a place, with Sinclair up from eighth to fourth. King dropped back to fifth, with Gary Boyd (B Squared) next and Ian Johnston seventh. Bertrand was back in tenth place.

Coming down the run towards the finish the Etchells found more pressure and went surfing.

Beashel was leading the fleet home. Bertrand made a move up into seventh.

Adam Beashel and crew (Bow 53 Steam Packet 7) coming into the mark - Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship. Image copyright Sail-World/AUS.

Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7) led from start to finish to win Race 5. Graeme Taylor GT (Magpie) was second and Kane Sinclair (Why be Flat) third. Brendan Garner (The Moe Szyslak Experience) was next, then Ian Johnston (Bananas in Pyjamas) with Damien King (Barry), then John Bertrand (Triad),Tom King (Iron Lotus), Julian Plante (North Star) and Gary Boyd (B Squared)

Winner Adam Beashel said ‘A good start helped, then it was just a matter of being patient and picking the shifts. The pressure is coming through in bands and its just about not making a mistake.’

Provisional Race 5
1. Steam Packet 7
2. Magpie
3. Why be flat
4.The Moe Szyslak Experience
5. Banana's in Pyjama's
6. Barry
7. Triad
8. Iron Lotus
9. North Star
10. B Squared

Race 6

The breeze was at 11-12 knots, the sky still grey and overcast as the Race Committee reset to course 185 with legs 1.8 nautical miles in length.

Race 6 start and a general recall, which was just as well for John Bertrand (Triad) as he was in trouble just about locked outside the Committee boat.

When the fleet did get away Damien King (Barry) probably won the start, about six boats down from the Committee boat.

Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7) was very fast midline, while John Bertrand was again buried back in the second row. At the start Bertrand tacked onto port to clear the fleet and then back onto starboard.

Coming up to the top mark Beashel took the lead. Tom Braidwood on Fantazia was second, then came Tom King (Iron Lotus), Bertrand who had recovered his bad start, Mark Bulka (Perfect Balance), Peter (Billy) Merrington (Odyssey), Julian Plante (North Star), Graeme Taylor (Magpie), Chris Hampton (Tango), Jake Gunther (The Boat) and Damien King (Barry).

Again a fast run from Beashel extended his lead. Bulka made some gains then and on the second beat.

At the top mark for the second time Steam Packet 7 had ten boat lengths on its nearest rival Perfect Balance (Bulka).

Bertrand snuck around the top mark just inside Taylor, who was ahead of Plante, Merrington and Braidwood.

Braidwood had come in on port and with some shouting going on, had just managed to slide into the starboard line ahead of Hampton, Tom King and Brad Sheridan (Tusk).

The plain white spinnaker on Steam Packet 7 was in the middle of the course and now well ahead of the fleet. The next five boats were over towards the Coal Point shore looking for more pressure.

At the bottom mark the fleet had closed up. Beashel was still leading ahead of Taylor.

Ian Johnston and crew (Bananas in Pyjamas) - Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship. Image copyright Sail-World/AUS.

Taylor went round the left hand pin and headed left whereas Beashel, Bertrand and the following lead group headed towards the Coal Point shore.

Taylor then tacked Magpie behind the fleet coming down under spinnaker. Back in the fleet Tom Braidwood moved up to seventh.

Taylor had taken a gamble on a flyer on the left and the question was could he catch Beashel?

In 13 knots of breeze the fleet tacked its way up towards the finish line.

Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7) crossed ahead of John Bertrand (Triad) who recovered from his bad start. Graeme Taylor (Magpie) hung on to beat out the fast finishing Julian Plante (North Star). Then came Peter Merrington (Odyssey), Mark Bulka (Perfect Balance), Tom Braidwood (Fantazia) and Damien King (Barry).

After scoring his second win of the day, Adam Beashel was delighted.

‘Nice starts, good tidy crew work all the way round the race. Playing the shifts up the right hand side was important. The top mark being a bit further up made for some unknown territory.

‘The guys coming in from the left were doing well, we were not sure whether to play the right or the left. We played the middle and managed to get ahead, although we lost some of our lead.

‘The runs were pretty tricky. You wanted to be able to do an early gybe but there was a lot of traffic dirty air. We had a couple of early loses on the runs. JB (John Bertrand) came hard on us in the second race. We managed to just cross him - it was pretty powerful to be the first boat on the right.

‘Twice, coming in around Coal Point, we got a little out of phase. The shifts for the guys behind only needed to be a few degrees extra and all of a sudden they were coming right at you.

‘It’s all about getting something to come out on. In the last race we found a good rightie and that was all we needed.’

John Bertrand observed ‘Adam's sailing very well, getting two excellent starts today and two good wins. There were big shifts and wind strength variations.

'We were hammered in the second race start, but we were able to get across to the right and recover. You can’t miss a shift in a big fleet like this. All we could today was to hang on.'

Damian King smiled a little ruefully. ‘Flat water, Etchells all going the same speed, you have to be on top of your game. We probably won the second start, but a little while later we were just slow out of one tack and we just got sucked up by the group. Game over.’

Julian Plante said 'Its tough out there. Yesterday we went in too far on the right and that cost us. But overall we've made our best gains there coming towards the top mark. We've had good speed all regatta, getting in sync with the shifts is so important.'

Overall John Bertrand, Tom Slingsby and Andrew (Dog) Palfrey are leading the regatta but Adam Beashel, Bruce Wookey and Gary Gudmunson are throwing the kitchen sink at them. Tomorrow will be another interesting day on Lake Macquarie.

Fleet preparing to hoist their spinnakers - Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship. Image copyright Sail-World/AUS.

Series Results [One Design ET] up to Race 6 (Drops = 1)
Ties Bow Boat Name From Skipper Crew Crew. Crew .. Series R6 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1

1 55 Triad RBYC John Bertrand Tom Slingsby Andrew Palfrey 13 2 [7.0] 1 2 5 3
2 53 Steam Packet 7 RPAYC Adam Beashel Bruce Wookey Gary Gudmunson 15 1 1 2 1 [20.0] 10
3 14 Magpie MYC Graeme Taylor Grant Wharington Steve Jarvin 19 3 2 4 4 [13.0] 6
4 11 Barry SYC Damien King Simon Cunnington Andy Butler James Ware 28 9 6 3 5 [21.0] 5
5 31 B Squared LMYC Gary Boyd John Boyd Tony May 34 [20.0] 10 6 14 3 1
6 13 North Star RPAYC Julian Plante Nick Garland Hannah Nattrass Michael Dunstan 37 4 9 [27.0] 16 4 4
7 3.0S 23 Why be flat LMYC Kane Sinclair David Gleadhill Mark Phillips 42 12 3 11 10 6 [25.0]
8 48 Bananas in Pyjamas RBYC Ian Johnston Tim Ede Phil Smidmore 42 14 5 8 8 [14.0] 7
9 58 Perfect Balance RBYC Mark Bulka Stephen Young Mark Tonner Joyce 44 6 14 15 [30.0] 1 8
10 6 Absolute Pearler LMYC Peter McNeill Dean Williams Wade Morgan 48 [24.0] 15 5 3 2 23
11 9 Fantazia LMYC Tom Braidwood Darren Senogles Ben Lamb Aden Menzies 50 7 11 [18.0] 9 10 13
12 12 Iron Lotus RSYS Tom King David Edwards Josh Grace Paul Baskett 52 11 8 12 [17.0] 12 9
13 38 Tango RBYC Chris Hampton Ben Morrison Ben John Durham 57 8 [19.0] 17 11 9 12
14 8 Tusk RPYC Brad Sheridan Michael McAullay Brett Shoebridge 67 10 [31.0] 21 7 8 21
15 51 Pedro II RBYC Kirwan Robb Rodney Muller Breeahn McCraken Jordan Bradly Smith 78 16 13 10 [26.0] 22 17
16 35 Echo Beach LMYC Tom Woods Dean Blatchford Phil Barber 85 19 20 14 13 19 [27.0]
17 39 Bushfire RSYS Jervis Tilly Peter Davidson James Arnold 88 13 [26.0] 22 20 17 16
18 17 The Boat RBYC Jake Gunther Stuart Skeggs Tony McPhail 91 15 16 9 12 [44.0] 39
19 25 The Moe Szyslak Expe RGYC Brendan Gardner Tim Clark Mike Schilt 96 [35.0] 4 28 15 27 22
20 50 Critical Balance LMYC Mark Langford Paul Garaty Kyle Langford 98 27 23 13 24 [29.0] 11
21 2.0S 52 Chill Pill RFBYC Rob Bird Graeme Johnson Nic Gray 102 [40.0] 29 24 21 26 2
22 42 Dream On (Racer x) RHKYC Mark Thornburrow Greg Farrell Andy Service Martin Mok 102 [31.0] 18 7 29 24 24
23 45 Magic Buzz RBYC Steve Gunther John Collingwood Russell Tyson 103 [33.0] 27 19 23 15 19
24 3 Seven 50 LMYC Todd Wyborn Dean Wyborn Brendan Quinlan 106 [44.0] 17 31 6 37 15
25 5.0S 41 Odyssey RPAYC Peter (Billy) Merrin Geoff Bonourrie Pat Langley 108 5 [35.0] 20 18 32 33
26 47 Addiction GH Lindsay Kennedy Simon Minoprio Trevor Swindburne 108 22 28 25 22 11 [30.0]
27 44 The Nurse SYC Ross Lloyd Matthew Turner Peter Dowdney 110 43 12 [44.0] 19 18 18
28 43 La Vie Dansante RSAYS Chris Pratt Simon Estella Caillin Howard 124 25 [59.0F] 30 25 30 14
29 32 Wobbegong CYCA Doug Flynn Calvin Gardner David Baker 137 21 33 23 40 [49.0] 20
30 18 Cruise Control CSC Paul Minter John Minter Ross Bull 146 28 25 33 [37.0] 34 26
31 46 Ganesh RSYS Glenn Nattress Steven Tracy Stuart Nattress 147 32 37 34 [50.0] 16 28
32 22 Alchemist RSYS Richard Hammond Rodger Gain Gil Mor 149 [45.0] 40 26 31 23 29
33 2 Ivy GSC John Denton Peter Bailey Daniel Eddy 151 30 42 16 [52.0] 31 32
34 54 Two Speed RSYS Nigel Nattrass Christian Brook Andrew Coates 153 18 39 38 27 [43.0] 31
35 22.0S 20 Vertigo LMYC Doug Williams Chris Blanch Darren Cooney 154 29 22 [43.0] 36 25 42
36 40 Miramar RPAYC Mark Doyle Travis Tubman David Hayes Toby Cusack 154 23 36 29 32 [55.0] 34
37 36 Dutch Moth LMYC Aaron Hampo Garry Van Dijk Anthony Patterson 159 26 30 37 28 38 [40.5]
38 33 Touch Pause Engage RSYS Michael Stovin-Bradf Keith Short Andrew Gordon 171 17 38 39 [43.0] 40 37
39 10 Count Boris's Secret RBYC Nick Knezic David Bretherington Michael Roberston 172 36 21 35 45 [47.0] 35
40 37 Carabella IV RSYS Matthew Mc Cann Neville Wittey Stephen Quigley Jean Claude Strong 172.5 46 [47.0] 40 39 7 40.5
41 56 Concubine RSAYS Jason Ward Damien McCaughey Mark Roberts 175 41 24 36 41 33 [51.0]
42 28.0S 30 Dragon Lady RPYC Bill Steele James Dagge Brad Moore 185 42 48 32 35 28 [56.0]
43 28 Rapscallion RQYS David Healey Josh Willis Ben Davis 185 37 32 [50.0] 44 36 36
44 7 Three Ring Circus MYC Trevor Martin Paul Braithwaite Glenn Thomson 201 34 34 [59.0Q] 34 54 45
45 21 Resurgent LMYC Christopher Rabbidge Andrew Campbell Steve Carrick 202 38 41 42 42 39 [49.0]
46 27 Mens Shirts-Short Sk RBYC Peter Stubbings Ross Melville Dick Stephens 221 52 45 [54.0] 38 42 44
47 57 Jazasa RSYS Jan Muysken Paul Grundy Steve Langton 224 39 51 45 46 [51.0] 43
48 34 License To Chill LMYC Bryce Johnson Peter Johnson Rod Verstegen 229 50 44 46 51 [53.0] 38
49 24 Surprise RSYS Adrian Fisk Ryan Fisk Matthew Fisk 230 48 50 49 33 50 [53.0]
50 16 Back in Business RBYC John Coates Rod Mackintosh David Buckland 235 49 43 53 49 41 [54.0]
51 26 QRS RSYS Alistair Stone Ian Kingsford Smit Colin Binet 237 [51.0] 49 47 47 48 46
52 49 Go With The flow LMYC Robert Griffits Noel Bagnall Konrad Schultz 239 53 46 41 [57.0] 52 47
53 5 Tian Hou MYC Simon Ellis Warren Myles Darrell Civil 244 47 59.0F 55 48 35 [59.0Q]
54 19 Predator GSC Greg Humphries Bruce Tennant Rod Moore 259 59.0C [59.0F] 51 53 46 50
55 45.0S 59 Max Power LMYC Keith Ritchie Darren Pickavance Tom Michilis 262 59.0C [59.0F] 48 55 45 55
56 1 7 To 4 LMYC Bruce Cheek Les Smith Bryan Gresham 262 55 53 52 54 [56.0] 48
57 4 Champagne Charlie CYCA Mike Thackray David Thackray Kim Le Gras Daniel Corke 271 54 52 [59.0F] 56 57 52
58 29 Mojo LMYC Ian Knight Keith Jensen Warwick Bagnall 295 59.0C 59.0C 59.0C 59.0C 59.0V [59.0V]

Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championships

Audi Victoria Week: Top crews come together for F18 Australian Championship

The new C2 hit the water in France. Image copyright Pierrick Contin.

by Di Pearson

The fast and exciting Formula 18 (F18) catamarans are coming to Corio Bay in Geelong, where the Royal Geelong Yacht Club will host the F18 Australian Championship for the first time at Audi Victoria Week from January 23-26.

Heading the line-up are the reigning Australian champions, Matt Homan and Luke McDonald from Humpybong Yacht Club in Queensland. “It’ll be really good sailing on Corio Bay – we’ve never done a title there before – it’ll be nice flat water,” Homan said today.

Asked who could upset his second consecutive title, Homan replied: “Steve Brewin and Greg Goodall are the majors – and a few of the Nacra guys as well.” Goodall finished second at last year’ Nationals, Brewin sixth.

“There’s a new design, a C2, that’s coming to Geelong, which is relatively untried, so that should be good,” Homan reports.

A development class, which means that manufacturers are always improving their designs and pushing the limits of technology, there are various F18 brands. Homan, Brewin and Goodall all sailed Capricorns at the 2009 Australian Championship, but that will not be the case this time around.

Goodall, from Victoria, designed the new ‘C2’ and he’s loaning one to Brewin from NSW. Brewin, who usually sails with his dad Richard as crew, will not only race a new C2, but will have a new crew Jack Benson aboard.

“Dad’s torn his shoulder really badly, so I won’t let him sail. He’s pretty unhappy about that,” says Brewin, who has good reason to be proud of his Dad, who won the 2009 F18 NSW Championship with his other son Chris.

“Dad’s 60 and he’s still a great crew. I don’t know anyone else even near his age that could do it,” Brewin says. Which is why the pair finished out of the placings at the last Nationals; Richard sailed with the tear, not knowing what was wrong.

Brewin, who agrees Goodall will be a major threat, says Homan is his other main rival, “and Brad Collett (a Queenslander who finished the 2009 Nationals third) if he makes it.”

On his own chances, Brewin, who’s won many titles in his career, admits he and Benson have had little time on the water. “We had a quick sail on Botany Bay in 28 knots the other day. From that, we’ve sorted out the communication problems. Jack’s a good sailor, and we should be OK, but it is a new pairing and a new boat.

“Jack and I just need to gel and we might be in with a chance,” said the sail maker who obviously designs his own sails. Launched at the Paris Boat Show last month, Audi Victoria Week is its first time the C2 will be seen publicly in Australia.

Brewin says the key to success at the Championship comes down to three things: “Confidence, getting good starts and having a first good beat. I’ve got plenty of confidence, so we’ll see…” he said.

He’s not sure how fast the C2 will be, but said: “I suspect it will be the fastest F18 when it sorted – I think it’ll be a ripper.”

“Everything’s coming together for the F18 Nationals at Audi Victoria Week, and I am really looking forward to the regatta,” says Brett Goodall who is crew for his father Greg.

A colourful catamaran that features a spinnaker and two trapezes, allowing both crews to hang out on the wire (see the photo), the boat is favoured by the likes of world champion Tornado Olympic medallists Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby, who have also won an F18 Worlds or two among their numerous other cat titles.

Such is the fast “thrills and spills” nature of the F18s; proponents of the class have the motto: “Life is too short to sail slow!”

Other names who will contest the 11 race series that will be sailed on windward/leeward courses include Robbie Lovig (Vic), Warren Guinea (Qld), Greg Wyers (NSW) and Brett Burvill (WA).

Audi Victoria Week

Strong international line up for Warren Jones Regatta

Phil Robertson's crew on their way to victory over Evan Walker and his team in the final of the Warren Jones Youth Regatta in 2009. Image copyright John Roberson.

by John Roberson

Competitors from five nations could give the 2010 Warren Jones International Youth Regatta its most diverse and international field in this its eighth year, with competitors from Japan, Denmark, Great Britain, New Zealand and of course Australia expected to line up for the event in the first week of February.

New Zealand are, as ever, sending a strong contingent, including last year’s winner Phil Robertson, who will hope to become the third skipper to win the event twice, following in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi Simon Minoprio and world no. 2 skipper Torvar Mirsky of Australia.

Robertson and his Waka Racing Team came to the 2009 event ranked 51st in the world, and in the past year have risen as high as 24th on the ladder, before slipping back to 25th in the latest ranking list.

“We’re stoked to be coming back, we love Perth, so we always jump at the chance to get over there,” said the enthusiastic young skipper. “We’ve had a great season since last year, we did better than we expected, really successful, and we’re just trying to plan where to go from here.”

The Warren Jones Regatta is considered to be a bridge from the youth circuit to the senior circuit, and has become a launch-pad for match racing stars, with the top two on the current world rankings, Adam Minoprio and Torvar Mirsky, past winners.

The event takes on a new format this year, with two regattas being run over the period of a week. Starting with the Collins Mullins International Youth Regatta, which is being used as a qualifying series to whittle the fourteen hopefuls down to ten who will make it into the Warren Jones Regatta.

Four skippers have already qualified for the main event, defending holder Robertson and fellow Kiwi skipper Reuben Corbett, along with Even Walker of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australian and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s David Chapman.

The Collin Mullins Regatta kicks off on Thursday 28th January, with the Warren Jones Regatta starting Monday 1st February, both managed by Swan River Sailing and hosted by the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club on the Swan River.

ENTRIES
Helm - Club - ISAF Ranking

Peter Nicholas Royal Freshwater Bay Y.C. 143
Robert Gibbs Royal Perth Y.C. 196
Tristan Brown Royal Freshwater Bay Y.C. 340
David Gilmour Royal Freshwater Bay Y.C. 391
Evan Walker Cruising Y.C. of Australia 58
David Chapman Royal Sydney Y.S. 72
Jordan Reece Royal Sydney Y.S. 170
Kyle Langford Newcastle Cruising Y.C. 1142
Phil Robertson Royal New Zealand Y.S. 25
Rueben Corbett Royal New Zealand Y.S. 46
William Tiller Royal New Zealand Y.S. 66
Mark Lees Poole Y.C. 157
Martin Boidin Royal Danish Y.C. 220
Kosaku Yoshida Japan Yacht Match Racing Assoc unranked

Warren Jones Youth Regatta

America's Cup legend John Bertrand leads Australian Etchells Championship

Mark Thornburrow, Greg Farrell, Andy Service and Martin Mok (Dream On (Racer x)) - Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship. Image copyright Sail-World/AUS.

Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship - Bertrand's day

by Rob Kothe

America's Cup legend John Bertrand leads Australian Etchells Championship. Sailing with Olympian and World Champion crew of Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey leads the 2010 Australian Etchells Championship.

Murphy & Nye 2010 International Etchells Australian Championship competitors breathed a sigh of relief after the very hot conditions of the last 24 hours were alleviated by a southerly this morning.

As the fleet left the dock the breeze was approximately 10 - 12 knots at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club.

Principal Race Office Ross Wilson set an initial course with a two mile first beat to allow the Etchells to stretch their legs.

Out on the Lake, eagerness at the start was again evident, causing several general recalls.

The breeze was now 12 to 13 knots, the sunny skies disappearing and the weather was becoming overcast. The breeze shifted and the Etchells crowded the Committee Boat end of the line. PRO Wilson pulled the pin and set about relaying the start line.

A clean start and most of the Etchells that chose the Coal Point shoreline gained a big advantage as they lifted out of the bay.

Competitors who started on the pin end and hugged the eastern shore of Carey Bay were hammered; the first Etchells off the pin end that headed left was 20th at the mark.

At the first mark John Bertrand and crew Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey (Triad) were first to round. Yesterday Bertrand said he would take third any day, he had obviously changed his mind and today he and his talented crew (Slingsby and Palfrey are both Olympians with Palfrey also a coach of some note) look as though they were out to win.

Todd Wybom (Seven 50) rounded second, making his first appearance in the 'top ten' club. He was followed in quick succession, by Graeme Taylor (Magpie), Peter McNeil (Absolute Pearler), Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7), Damien King (Barry), Jake Gunther (The Boat), Tom King (Iron Lotus) and Brad Sheridan (Tusk).

The breeze was 13 knots and the sky overcast as the fleet headed down the course under spinnaker. There were no significant changes downwind but the work produced big lead changes as the boats on the western side of the Lake were continuing to do best.

At the top mark for the second time Steam Packet 7 (Adam Beashel, Bruce Wookey and Gary Gudmunson) had made the move from sixth and led Triad, Magpie, Barry, Absolute Pearler and Seven 50.

Half way down the final run to the finish Beashel and Bertrand were having a tight battle at the front of the fleet, with Beashel holding two thirds of a boat length's advantage over Bertrand.

Graeme Taylor was third, with Lake Macquarie sailor Peter McNeil (Absolute Pearler) out on the right on his own and coming in at a different angle to the rest of the fleet.

At the finish, Beashel (Steam Packet 7) held out Bertrand (Triad). McNeil (Absolute Pearler) made a big gain out on the right and finished third ahead of Graeme Taylor's Magpie and Todd Wybom's Seven 50.

Adam Beashel, the highly regarded Australian tactician on Emirates Team New Zealand America's Cup boat commented 'The Coal Point shore was the key: you had to pick the time to go in though, you had to be careful, we played more to the middle.'

Peter McNeil who made that big gain on the last run said 'The right hand shore was the place you had to be, but you still had to work the shifts. We made a good gain with more pressure over there on the last run.'

Provisional Top Ten:

Race 3 (13/01/2010) Murphy & NYE

1. Steam Packet 7
2. Triad
3. Absolute Pearler
4. Magpie
5. Barry
6. Seven 50
7. Tusk
8. Banana's in Pyjama's
9. Fantazia
10. Why be flat

The top mark was moved by the Race Committee more towards the centre of the Lake, to reduce the influence of the shoreline. The course was set as a two mile length, double sausage with an upwind finish in Carey Bay.

Clear start to Race 4 as the breeze lifted to 14 -15 knots and gusting. A little surprisingly, Peter McNeil (Absolute Pearler) chose to start nearer the pin, got a clean lane and then headed right after 500 metres towards the Coal Point shoreline, again. John Bertrand (Triad), Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7), Damien King (Barry) and Kirwan Robb (Pedro 11) were mid line.

At the first mark the America's Cup legend Bertrand had opened up a four or five boat lengths lead over Beashel. Taylor was next on Magpie, with McNeil following.

Yesterday's race winner Gary Boyd (B Squared) was close behind, as was Tom King (Iron Lotus). Tom Woods (Echo Beach) was sixth, then Brad Sheridan (Tusk) and Kirwan Robb (Pedro 11).

On the run Bertrand maintained his lead over Beashel, with King moving up into third. Boyd was fourth, Taylor fifth, with Hong Kong sailor Mark Thornburrow ((Dream On (Racer x)) sixth. McNeil was seventh with Woods, Ian Johnson (Banana in Pyjamas) and Jake Gunther (The Boat) rounding out the top ten.

Bertrand extended and led by 20 boat lengths. The breeze had picked up to 16 knots and the sky was now very overcast.

John Bertrand, Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey (Triad) hung to win from a fast finishing Adam Beashel (Steam Packet 7). Beashel made ground on the last beat, but not enough to deny Bertrand the victory.

Damien King (Barry) held onto third, with Graeme Taylor (Magpie) moving up to fourth. Peter McNeil (Absolute Pearler) who moved up from eighth on the previous lap was next, then Gary Boyd (B Squared), Mark Thornburrow ((Dream On (Racer x)), Ian Johnson (Bananas in Pyjamas), Jake Gunther (The Boat) and Kane Sinclair (Why be Flat).

After the finish the southerly wind strength increased to over 20 knots as the fleet reached in towards the marina. It was all hands to secure the sudden rush of Etchells and the large numbers of locals on the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club desk watched with wonderment the frantic activity as 200 sailors came ashore.

A smiling John Bertrand commented 'We had a good day; two wins, winning is certainly better than losing I can vouch for that.

'We are a good combination. Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey, good crew, I can work with them. They are of course a joy to sail with.

'It was an interesting day on the water. With 60 boats there was quite some chop. On the Coal Point shoreline some boats went in and got good right hand shifts. But it was a matter of timing, the pressure was fluctuating and some boats ran out of breeze.

'It's a very strong fleet and excellent conditions so it will be an interesting week.'

Andrew Palfrey (foreground) Tom Slingsby (middle) John Bertrand (back) on Triad - Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship. Image copyright Sail-World/AUS.

Damian King commented 'Good sailing conditions today - a good challenge. A strong fleet, a long way to go in this regatta.'

Peter (Polly) McNeil - 'In the second race today we hit the bottom mark the first time round. We had to do a 360, so that pushed us back, then but we had a good run and made up a bit, then we picked the shifts up the final beat.

'No doubt the best Etchells fleet we've ever had on Lake Macquarie.'

Series Results [One Design ET] up to Race 4 (Drops = 0)
Place Ties Boat Skipper From Bow Series R4 R3 R2 R1
1 Triad John Bertrand RBYC 55 11 1 2 5 3
2 B Squared Gary Boyd LMYC 31 24 6 14 3 1
3 Magpie Graeme Taylor MYC 14 27 4 4 13 6
4 1.0S Steam Packet 7 Adam Beashel RPAYC 53 33 2 1 20 10
5 Absolute Pearler Peter McNeil LMYC 6 33 5 3 2 23
6 Barry Damien King SYC 11 34 3 5 21 5
7 Banana's in Pyjama's Ian Johnston RBYC 48 37 8 8 14 7
8 Tango Chris Hampton RBYC 38 49 17 11 9 12
9 10.0S Fantazia Tom Braidwood LMYC 9 50 18 9 10 13
10 Iron Lotus Tom King RSYS 12 50 12 17 12 9
11 North Star Julian Plante RPAYC 13 51 27 16 4 4
12 Why be flat Kane Sinclair LMYC 23 52 11 10 6 25
13 Perfect Balance Mark Bulka RBYC 58 54 15 30 1 8
14 Tusk Brad Sheridan RPYC 8 57 21 7 8 21
15 2.0S Chill Pill Rob Bird RFBYC 52 73 24 21 26 2
16 Echo Beach Tom Woods LMYC 35 73 14 13 19 27
17 10.0S Pedro II Kirwan Robb RBYC 51 75 10 26 22 17
18 Bushfire Jervis Tilly RSYS 39 75 22 20 17 16
19 Magic Buzz Steve Gunther RBYC 45 76 19 23 15 19
20 Critical Balance Mark Langford LMYC 50 77 13 24 29 11
21 Dream On (Racer x) Mark Thornburrow RHKYC 42 84 7 29 24 24
22 Addiction Lindsay Kennedy GH 47 88 25 22 11 30
23 Seven 50 Todd Wyborn LMYC 3 89 31 6 37 15
24 The Moe Szyslak Expe Brendan Gardner RGYC 25 92 28 15 27 22
25 La Vie Dansante Chris Pratt RSAYS 43 99 30 25 30 14
26 The Wuese Ross Lloyd SYC 44 100 45 19 18 18
27 Odyssey Peter (Billy) Merrington RPAYC 41 103 20 18 32 33
28 The Boat Jake Gunther RBYC 17 104 9 12 44 39
29 Alchemist Richard Hammond RSYS 22 109 26 31 23 29
30 Carabella IV Matthew Mc Cann RSYS 37 127.5 41 39 7 40.5
31 Ganesh Glenn Nattress RSYS 46 128 34 50 16 28
32 Cruise Control Paul Minter CSC 18 130 33 37 34 26
33 Ivy John Denton GSC 2 131 16 52 31 32
34 Wobbegong Doug Flynn CYCA 32 132 23 40 49 20
35 Two Speed Nigel Nattrass RSYS 54 140 39 27 43 31
36 Dutch Moth Aaron Hampo LMYC 36 144.5 38 28 38 40.5
37 Vertigo Doug Williams LMYC 20 147 44 36 25 42
38 Miramar Mark Doyle RPAYC 40 150 29 32 55 34
39 Dragon Lady Bill Steele RPYC 30 151 32 35 28 56
40 Touch Pause Engage Michael Stovin-Bradf RSYS 33 160 40 43 40 37
41 Concubine Jason Ward RSAYS 56 161 36 41 33 51
42 Count Boris's Secret Nick Knezic RBYC 10 162 35 45 47 35
43 Rapscallion David Healey RQYS 28 167 51 44 36 36
44 Three Ring Circus Trevor Martin MYC 7 170 37 34 54 45
45 Resurgent Christopher Rabbidge LMYC 21 173 43 42 39 49
46 Mens Shirts-Short Sk Peter Stubbings RBYC 27 179 55 38 42 44
47 33.0S Surprise Adrian Fisk RSYS 24 186 50 33 50 53
48 Jazasa Jan Muysken RSYS 57 186 46 46 51 43
49 38.0S License To Chill Bryce Johnson LMYC 34 189 47 51 53 38
50 QRS Alistair Stone RSYS 26 189 48 47 48 46
51 41.0S Back in Business John Coates RBYC 16 198 54 49 41 54
52 Go With The flow Robert Griffits LMYC 49 198 42 57 52 47
53 Tian Hou Simon Ellis MYC 5 199 56 48 35 60.0Q
54 Predator Greg Humphries GSC 19 201 52 53 46 50
55 Max Power Keith Ritchie LMYC 59 204 49 55 45 55
56 7 To 4 Bruce Cheek LMYC 1 211 53 54 56 48
57 Champagne Charlie Mike Thackray CYCA 4 225 60.0F 56 57 52
58 Velsheda Alastair Gair RNZYS 15 240 60.0C 60.0C 60.0C 60.0C
58 Mojo Ian Knight LMYC 29 240 60.0C 60.0C 60.0V 60.0V

Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championships

America's Cup: BMW Oracle seeks to disqualify Alinghi and to win the America's Cup in court

by Daphne Morgan Barnicoat

While Brad Butterworth, Alinghi skipper and Société Nautique de Genève representative, was in Singapore engaged in good faith discussions to resolve remaining issues ahead of the 8 February America's Cup Deed of Gift Match in the presence of David Tillett, the chairman of the ISAF America's Cup Jury, and David Kellett, the ISAF representative, BMW Oracle unilaterally aborted talks by filing their ninth lawsuit against the Société Nautique de Genève at the New York Supreme Court seeking to disqualify the Defender from the upcoming Match.

“BMW Oracle has already successfully disqualified 18 teams through the US courts to gain access to the Match, now they are seeking to win the Cup without ever racing for it,” said Brad Butterworth. “This latest lawsuit has come as a shock given we were planning a further meeting to finalise discussions today, it demonstrates extreme bad faith. Clearly they are not ready to race. They have completely disregarded the jurisdiction of the ISAF America's Cup Jury, which they sought so hard to have instated, and have instead reverted to the New York courts where they clearly feel they have a greater chance of success,” he added.

SNG's defending yacht has been constructed in Switzerland in compliance with the provision of the Deed of Gift. SNG disagrees with GGYC's interpretation.

BMW Oracle's statement that Alinghi will be using USA-made sails is wrong. The sails for the Match have been constructed in a sail loft in Villeneuve, Switzerland. Furthermore, the 3DL process of making sails is subject to Swiss intellectual property rights. The inventors of the process, Jean-Pierre Baudet and Luc Dubois, are two Swiss engineers. Every challenger and defender for the America's Cup since 1995 has used 3DL Swiss technology based sails.

“BMW Oracle's attempt to derail the America's Cup, and disregard ISAF's jurisdiction, and their continued unsportsmanlike behaviour is unacceptable,” said Fred Meyer, SNG vice-commodore. “Alinghi is ready to race on the 8 February as mandated by the 7 April 2009 court order,” he added. “We won the right to defend the America's Cup on the water by winning the 31st and 32nd editions, we want to go racing, we do not want the outcome of the America's Cup determined in court,” he concluded.

Société Nautique de Genève

America's Cup: Statement re. Singapore Talks, from Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing

by Jane Eagleson

Talks in Singapore to settle major issues ahead of the 33rd America's Cup have broken up. No mutual agreement was reached.

"This is very disappointing and frustrating," commented Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing.

"On three separate occasions during the two days talks there was a final draft of an agreement. GGAC was ready to sign. SNG's negotiators were prepared to sign, but it seems they were not given permission."

GGYC would like to thank the negotiating teams - Tom Ehman and Richard Salter for GGYC and Brad Butterworth and Hamish Ross for SNG - for their tireless efforts to reach a solution.

GGYC is also grateful to International Sailing Federation's representative David Kellett and the chairman of the International Jury for the 33rd Match for their helpful involvement in the search for a settlement.

BMW ORACLE Racing
Golden Gate Yacht Club

America's Cup: Statement from Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing

by Jane Eagleson

Can the Swiss defender race with sails made in the USA? This is the question Golden Gate Yacht Club put to the New York Supreme Court today.

GGYC has asked the Court to resolve this following the breakdown of two days of talks in Singapore with the America's Cup defender Société Nautique de Genève at which mutual agreement was being finalized when negotiations ended.

The Singapore meeting followed one last week in Valencia where a previous good-faith effort was also made to settle the matter.

"Naturally we are disappointed to see the chance of agreement taken away," commented Coutts.

Also at the talks were David Kellett, from the International Sailing Federation's Executive Committee, and David Tillett, chairman of the International Jury for 33rd Match.

Constructed-in-country is not a hypothetical question, but a fundamental one. The Deed of Gift is clear. Without mutual consent and in the absence of other rules, Alinghi cannot construct sails in the USA and claim they are Swiss-made.

The New York Supreme Court has previously rules on other key issues affecting the yachts of the challenger and defender ahead of the Match: such as whether engines can be used to power the winches and whether rudders are included in the measurement of the yacht's waterline length.

"Once again SNG is showing total disregard for the Deed. First SNG claimed that sails were not part of the ya´cht. Then it claimed that Alinghi's sails were built in Switzerland, not the USA. Now, SNG is saying that 'constructed-in-country' is not relevant until it annouces its yacht for the Match."

GGYC disagrees on all three counts.

"Our aim is to make sure that the Deed of Gift is upheld, and that the result of the Match on the water is byond question," Coutts said.

It is expected that the Court will rule before the first race scheduled for February 8 in Valencia, Spain.

Q & A Constructed-in-Country

What is CIC?

It means "constructed in the country". It is the DNA of the America's Cup. The national origin of each yacht is fundamental to the America's Cup.

Why is CIC important?

The Deed of Gift requires the challenging and defending yachts to be "constructed in the country" of the yacht clubs they represent. The question mark hanging over Alinghi's sails must not be a question mark left hanging over the Match.

Are Alinghi's sails illegal?

If they are made in America, they cannot be "Swiss-made".

What is the 3DL process?

A sail designer sends a 'file' of the required design. North Sails supply the high technology fibres, films, cloths, tapes, adhesives, etc to construct sails over a sophisticated mould using heat and vacuum techniques. At the end of the process the customer has a virtually finished sail delivered. A customer may or may not add joints, fittings, stripes, chafe patches, etc., but effectively the sail is manufactured in Minden, Nevada.

Why is GGYC going to court?

Alinghi must abide by the rules same as we have. CIC is a basic and long-standing Cup rule. Unless there is mutual consent to more liberal rules, CIC must be adhered to by both teams. We want the result on the water to be the final result. The is a Deed of Gift issue. The Court is the right jurisdiction for this. This is not a hypothetical question or protest. We are asking the Court to confirm the correct interpretation of the Deed.

Won't this delay the Cup?

No. The opposite is true. By removing doubt over Alinghi's sails, there will be no need for litigation after the Match. Removing doubt before racing starts is the fairest solution for the Cup, race fans and both competitors. We believe the Court process can be completed before the 8 February.

Are you trying to disqualify Alinghi?

No. Alinghi took a gamble building its sails in America. They can still build sails in SUI, or use sails that they may already have built there. Switzerland has a good record of innovation in sail making. There is no reason why Alinghi could not have made legal sails in Switzerland in the past; no reason why they cannot now.

Is GGYC still offering time to Alinghi?

Yes, but only a short time to sort this out. It is really for SNG to find a solution to Alinghi's problem. GGYC has been, and always will be, ready to negotiate about any problem, and any reasonable solution.

BMW ORACLE Racing
Golden Gate Yacht Club