Yachting Australia

Ticket of Leave wins Geelong Festival of Sail IMS Series

Following their success in winning the Australian Offshore Keelboat Champinship's IMS Division, Ticket of Leave Kevin Wood convincingly won the Geelong Festival of Sail Scotchman Hill IMS Series with four 1sts and two 2nds from Another Challenge second and Chutzpah in Third.

Maintaining a high standard of sailing Kevin Wood and his crew also finished 2nd in the Scotchmans Hill IRC series to Hollywood Boulevard with Secret Men's Business third.

For further results and information on the Festival of Sail go to the official website at: www.rgyc.com.au

Ticket of Leave wins Australian Offshore Keelboat Championships IMS Division

Ticket of Leave who came 2nd in last year's Offshore Championships in Adelaide to Loki, sailed consistently to win the 2003 Australian Offshore Keelboat Championship with three firsts and three seconds.

Kevin Wood, Immediate Past Commodore of Sandringham YC, was elated with the win as during the season 2002 they came 2nd each time in the major regattas in which they competed around Australia. Kevin put down the wind to the excellence of his crew and their high standard of consistent sailing in his Beneteau 40.7, Ticket of Leave. As Chairman of the Sail Melbourne

International Regatta Kevin was unable to be onboard for all the races but he ensured that he sailed in the last two to be a part of the winning team.

Veteran ocean racer, Lou Abraham's finished 2nd overall, with Hollywood Boulevard 3rd.

Ticket of Leave will now compete in the Geelong Festival Of Sail Scotchman Hill series, sailing in both the IMS Division for which they are the favourite and in IRC. Later in the year they will be racing in the Hogsbreath Regatta in which they came 2nd last year in IRC and then the Hamilton Island Race Week in which they also came 2nd last year. It's good to see Ticket of Leave breaking away from being the bridesmaid of 2002.

Quest's owner, Bob Steel, came ashore after the final race feeling very pleased - he and his crew on the Nelson Marek 46, had just taken out the IRC Division of the Australian Offshore Keelboat Championships.

Representing the CYCA in Sydney, Quest has won just about every race on the ocean racing calendar this past year, including the inaugural Sydney-Newcastle Race, is the Hamilton Island Race Week current IRC champion and in December won overall the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race under IMS.

Now he has won the Customs House Hotel IRC Division of the AOKC.

'This has been phenomenal year for me, it's fantastic, what a roll we're on, we're just all really pleased, now we are the IRC champions, we'll take it as we can get it,' Steel said this afternoon.

'We have an alright boat that is sailed consistently well, I have a great crew, Greeny (Mike Green) steering, Sean Kirkjian calling tactics, Daniel Birch, Col Anderson, Jacko (Jack Goluzd), Peter Messenger, Stuart Bon and Simon Reffold.

We're heading back to Sydney now, the crew have had enough for the time being, then we'll take on the Blue Water Point Score at CYCA, that's our next aim,' he added.

Ray Roberts' Hollywood Boulevard (CYCA) took 2nd place overall in the 64-strong fleet, with some top results, including two 3rd places, and coming home 2nd in today's final race, sailing just as well in light airs as they did in the heavier winds on the Bay.

Robert Hick's self designed Toecutter (RYCV), finished 3rd overall, winning Race 6 in light airs - the Hick 31's are exceptionally quick in these conditions. He also won the AMS Division from Rob Davis' Owl & Pussycats (SYC) and Athol Lidgett's Wake (RYCV), another of Hick's successful 31 footers.

The well-sailed Brian Peterson skippered Maverick II (RNZYS), took out the PHD Division from Tim and Doris Little's Lattitude (SYC) and Ray Borett's Laurelle (RYCV), an Austral Super 30 helmed by Jan 'Clogs" Scholten.

In the Stormy Australia Adams 10 Division, Graeme Paul's Adams Den won from Max Peters' Top Gun and Norm Edwards' Hullabaloo in 3rd - a clean sweep for Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, which all three represent.

For results and information go to the official website at: www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Quest Wins Australian Offshore Keelboat Championships IRC Division

Quest’s owner, Bob Steel, came ashore this afternoon feeling very pleased – he and his crew on the Nelson Marek 46, had just taken out the IRC Division of the Australian Offshore Keelboat Championships hosted by Royal Yacht Club of Australian on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne.

Representing the CYCA in Sydney, Quest has won just about every race on the ocean racing calendar this past year, including the inaugural Sydney-Newcastle Race, Hamilton Island Race Week, is the current IMS champion and in December won overall the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race under IMS.  Now he has won the Customs House Hotel IRC Division of the AOKC.

‘This has been phenomenal year for me, it’s fantastic, what a roll we’re on, we’re just all really pleased, now we are the IRC champions, we’ll take it as we can get it,’ Steel said this afternoon.

‘We have an alright boat that is sailed consistently well, I have a great crew, Greeny (Mike Green) steering, Sean Kirkjian calling tactics, Daniel Birch, Col Anderson, Jacko (Jack Goluzd), Peter Messenger, Stuart Bon and Simon Reffold. 

We’re heading back to Sydney now, the crew have had enough for the time being, then we’ll take on the Blue Water Point Score at CYCA, that’s our next aim,’ he added.

Ray Roberts’ Hollywood Boulevard (CYCA) took 2nd place overall in the 64-strong fleet, with some top results, including two 3rd places, and coming home 2nd in today’s final race, sailing just as well in light airs as they did in the heavier winds on the Bay. 

Robert Hick’s self designed Toecutter (RYCV), finished 3rd overall, winning Race 6 in light airs – the Hick 31’s are exceptionally quick in these conditions.  He also won the AMS Division from Rob Davis’ Owl & Pussycats (SYC) and Athol Lidgett’s Wake (RYCV), another of Hick’s successful 31 footers. 

The well-sailed Brian Peterson skippered Maverick II (RNZYS), took out the PHD Division from Tim and Doris Little’s Lattitude (SYC) and Ray Borett’s Laurelle (RYCV), an Austral Super 30 helmed by Jan ‘Clogs” Scholten.

Past Commodore of Sandringham YC, Kevin Wood, won the IMS Division with his Beneteau 40.7, Ticket of Leave (SYC), which is exactly what he had to get, from Sail Melbourne Regatta, to skipper his boat in today’s final races.  Veteran ocean racer, Lou Abraham’s finished 2nd overall (and 4th in IRC), with Hollywood Boulevard 3rd.

In the Stormy Australia Adams 10 Division, Graeme Paul’s Adams Den won from Max Peters’ Top Gun and Norm Edwards’ Hullabaloo in 3rd – a clean sweep for Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, which all three represent.

For results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Hanna Wins Laser Radial Class – Dennison Finishes 2nd

Debbie Hanna (NIR) has taken out the Laser Radial class at the Sail Melbourne Commonwealth Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club today.

Hanna, from Northern Ireland, won five of the 10 races sailed, and is the only winner at these Championships from outside Australia.

World-ranked 2 Yngling keelboat sailor, and former Olympian in the Europe class, Melanie Dennison (Vic), showed her adaptability, placing 2nd overall, winning five of the seven races she sailed.  She is a great ambassador for sailing and Melbourne.

Megan De-Lange (Vic) came home 3rd overall sailing consistently 2nd and 3rd throughout the 10 race series with one race drop.

Conditions on the course today were 8-12 knot winds at 180-195 degrees.

The Commonwealth Sailing Championships will next be sailed in 2006, and double the entries are expected.

Final Results:

1.  Debbie Hanna  11
2.  Melanie Dennison  17
3. Megan De Lange  18

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Michael Blackburn Victorious in Laser at Commonwealth Sailing Championships

Michael Blackburn (NSW) is back in the serious form that won him Bronze at the Sydney 2000 Games, winning seven of the 10 races sailed in the Laser at the inaugural Commonwealth Sailing Championships on Port Phillip Bay.

Today was the last day of the Championships, Blackburn winning both races today to complete the series, eight points in front of his nearest challenger, world-ranked No. 5, Ed Wright (GBR), who placed 2-3 today for a 2nd overall place.

After winning both the Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta and the Commonwealth Sailing Championships in this class, Blackburn would be feeling some confidence in his ambition to represent Australia at his third Olympic Games.

Having had a stint in the 49er skiff, these were his two first major regattas, at which he beat some of the top-ranked Laser sailors in the World. 

Sailed in 8-12 knots at 8-12 knots at 180-195 degrees, racing got underway from the host club, Sandringham YC at 12.00pm today.

Alastair Gair (NZL) had a good series to finish 3rd with a 5-2 result, 5th being his worst result which he used as a discard.

The next Commonwealth Sailing Championships will take place in Melbourne in 2006.

Final Results:

1.  Michael Blackburn    9
2.  Ed Wright             17
3.  Alastair Gair  23 

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Wilmot/Page Win 470 Combined & Mens – Armstrong/Stowell Win Womens

In a series that got closer as the event went on, Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page have won both the Combined and Mens 470 class at the Inaugural Commonwealth Sailing Championships on Port Phillip Bay, which finished today.

Most competitors in the 470 had previously competed at the Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta at Sandringham Yacht Club, after travelling from other events in NSW, and by the end of today came ashore tired.

The number 1 World-ranked Wilmot/Page had enough points in the bank after winning Race 9 this morning, choosing not to compete in this afternoon’s race, keen to pack their boat away for their next event.

Matthew & Daniel Belcher (Qld), are definitely on the up, and sailed well in this Championships to finish 2nd overall with a 5th in Race 9 and winning Race 10, only two points behind the winners.

Andrew Brown/Jamie Hunt (NZL) also had a great event, today finishing 4-2, to take 3rd place overall in the 8-12 knot winds at 180-195 degrees.

Jenny Armstrong/Belinda Stowell (NSW) finished 4th overall in the Combined fleet, winning the Womens 470, finishing with a 3rd in Race 9, and 4th in Race 10, to give them a clear 9 point lead over their nearest rivals, Lisa Charlson/Rike Ziegelmayer (NSW) and Shelley Hesson/Linda Dickson (NZL).

Final Results:

Combined

1.  Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page   16
2.  Mathew & Daniel Belcher   18
3.  Andrew Brown/Jamie Hunt  19

Mens

1.  Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page   15
2.  Mathew & Daniel Belcher   16
3.  Andrew Brown/Jamie Hunt  17

Womens

1.  Jenny Armstrong/Belinda Stowell    8
2.  Lisa Charlson/Rike Ziegelmayer  17
3.  Shelley Hesson/Linda Dickson  21

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Lovig/Douglas Take Out Hobie 16 Class at Commonwealth Sailing Championships

The final day of the Commonwealth Sailing Championships started at 12.00pm today on Port Phillip Bay.

Robbie Lovig/Glen Douglas finished with a 6-2 result today, dropping their 6th placing to take out Hobie 16 class by two points, with a finish of 14.  Lovig is a former World Youth champion in this class and has made the transition to adult competition in this class and the Tornado, without much trouble.

In a series in which the top three finished closely, Shayne Brodie/Loren Gough (FIJ) finished 2nd overall with a 2-1 result, from Steve Fields/Kieran Browne (Vic) who had a 1-3 finish.

Breeze on the course off Sandringham Yacht Club, the host for the Championships, was in the 8-12 knot range at 180-195 degrees.

Eight Hobie 16’s competed in the Inaugural Commonwealth Sailing Championships, this number is expected to double for the next event in 2006.

Final Points:

1.  Robbie Lovig/Glen Douglas   14
2.  Shaye Brodie/Loren Gough  16
3.  Steve Fields/Kieran Browne  17

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Quest Holds on to Narrow Lead in Australian Offshore Keelboat Championships

Following on from yesterday’s 57 nautical mile race in the Australian Offshore Keelboat Championships at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Bob Steel’s Quest (CYCA), holds the series lead from Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki (CYCA), by the skin of her teeth after a 3rd place in the long race.

Gary Smith’s S97, Tusk, the only entry from Western Australia, helped Quest maintain her 1 point lead over Loki, winning yesterday’s race in the IRC Division, with Loki in 2nd place and Quest 3rd in this hard-fought series.

The final result in IRC will come down to weather conditions today, the Bureau predicting light breezes this morning, with winds increasing in the afternoon.

The 64-strong fleet that contested yesterday’s long race encountered 20-25 knot sou-sou-east to sou-sou-westerly winds on choppy seas, ideal for Loki, a Swan 48, and for Tusk, a 1993 Kim Swarbrick design, while the Sean Kirkjian steered Quest prefers lighter flatter conditions.
Ray Roberts’ Farr 52, Hollywood Boulevard (CYCA), finished 4th yesterday, putting her into 3rd place overall, with two windward return races to go today to complete the series.  This gives the CYCA in Sydney the top three places for the regatta in the Customs House Hotel IRC Division.
Quest has 13 points, Loki 14, Hollywood Boulevard 19, with Lou Abrahams Sydney 38, Another Challenge (SYC) the best placed of the Victorians with 27 points after his 4th place yesterday.
In the AMS Division, Robert Hick’s self designed Toecutter (RYCV) leads on progressive points after a 4th place yesterday.
Rob Davis’ Owl & Pussycats (SYC) won yesterday’s long race to be placed 3rd overall for the series to-date.  A Beneteau 31.7, she is always a top performer, and will try her luck again at the Bundaberg Festival of Sail in Geelong on completing this event.
Frank Hammond’s Horizon Sprint (RYCV) filled 2nd place yesterday to hold 4th overall in the series, while Athol Lidgett’s Wake (RYCV), another of Robert Hick’s fast 31’ yachts finished 3rd yesterday to hold onto 2nd overall in a tight series.
Toecutter leads AMS with 12 points from Wake with 15 and Owl & Pussycats 3rd on 17, with two races to go.
In the PHD Division, Tim Stone’s Greg Elliot 10m Sports Car (SYC) came home 1st from Martin Ryan’s Mercedes III (RYC) and Alex Hayter’s Firecracker in the long race.
Overall, the lone Kiwi entry, Brian Petersen’s Elliot 14.10, Maverick (RNZYS), continues to lead the PHD class with 34 points, from Jon Rouse’s Rouseaboat 3 (MYC), on 53 points and Frank Hammond’s Horizon Sprint (RYCV) with 58 points.
Racing gets underway again today at 11.55am.

For results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Wilmot/Page Lead 470, but Armstrong/Stowell Show the Boys How it is Done Winning

t was an exciting two races on the 470 course at the Commonwealth Sailing Championships today sailed on Port Phillip Bay.

In blustery 20-25 knot winds, with massive wind shifts in both races today, Jenny Armstrong/Belinda Stowell saw their chance in Race 7 today, and took it. 

Sitting comfortably in 2nd place, they watched as the spinnaker on Wilmot/Page’s boat shredded and on the final run home, passed the World No. 1 pair to steal 1st place, with Stephen and Philip Keen (NZL) in 2nd and Mat and Dan Belcher (Qld) in 3rd.

‘Yes, you really had to watch the shifts today, we missed a couple, but we were there when it counted, you could say we won it by default,’ Stowell said of the spinnaker shredding after coming ashore.

‘With the wind increasing, the seas really built up, there was a lot of swell and the New Zealand guys (Andrew Brown/Jamie Hunt) had a massive capsize, which really put them right out of the picture,’ she added.

In Race 8, and more shifts, Stowell said places kept changing throughout the race, which the Belcher brothers won from Wilmot/Page and Brown/Hunt, with Armstrong/Stowell in 4th.

The Belcher brothers are happy with their performances at the Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta and the Commonwealth Sailing Championships, Dan commenting, ‘with coaching from Victor Kovalenko (he coached the 470  Mens and Womens 2000 Olympic pairings to Gold Medals), and practicing with Nathan and Malcolm and Jenny and Belinda, we feel we are getting better.’

The Commonwealth Sailing Championships end tomorrow with two final races starting from 12.00pm.

Progressive Points with 1 race drop:

1.  Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page  15
2.  Mathew & Daniel Belcher   17
3.  Andrew Brown/Jamie Hunt  19
4.  Jenny Armstrong/Belinda Stowell  21

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Lovig/Douglas Continue Their Onslaught in Hobie 16 at Commonwealth Sailing Championships

Robbie Lovig/Glen Douglas (Vic), continue to lead the Hobie 16 class at the Commonwealth Sailing Championships on Port Phillip Bay.

Hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club, today’s races were sailed in blustery shifty conditions, Lovig/Douglas won Race 7, placing 2nd in Race 8 to continue to lead the 10 race series which ends tomorrow with two final races starting from 12.00pm.

Steve Fields/Kieren Brown (Vic) had a good day today, with 2nd in Race 7 and winning Race 8, while the current 2nd overall placegetters, Shayne Brodie/Loren Gough (FIJ), finished their day with two 3rd places in the windy 20-25 knots on the course.

Progressive Points with 1 race drop:

1.  Robbie Lovig/Glen Douglas  12
2.  Shayne Brodie/Loren Gough  16
3.  Steve Fields/Kieran Browne  18

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Blackburn In Top Form Continues His Lead of Laser Class

Michael Blackburn (NSW) continues to the Laser class at the Commonwealth Sailing Championships posting a 2-1 result in today’s races.

Winner of the Bronze medal at the Sydney 2000 Games, Blackburn is one of the most focussed and dedicated athletes on the sailing scene, always out to improve his performance and will be hard to beat in this series, having a 7-point lead.

Ed Wright (GBR) had a win in Race 7, placing 3rd in Race 8, to maintain his 2nd overall position.

Sailing n 20 plus knots of wind on Port Phillip Bay, Kevin Lim (MAS), put in a good effort to finish with a 3rd and 4th place in Races 7 and 8, whilst Alastair Gair (NZL) scored 4th and 2nd places in the shifty conditions.

Racing finishes tomorrow with two final races starting from 12.00pm.

Progressive Points with 1 Race Drop:

1.  Michael Blackburn  10
2.  Ed Wright   17
3.  Alastair Gair  21

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Dennison Plays ‘Catch Me if You Can’ at Commonwealth Sailing Championships

Melanie Dennison (Vic) sailing a Laser Radial at the Commonwealth Championships on Port Phillip Bay, won a further two races today, following up on her two wins yesterday.

Unable to participate on the first day of racing, Dennison is making up for lost time with four straight wins from Debbie Hanna (NIR), who still leads on points, having won every race until Dennison surfaced.

Sailing in blustery 20 knot winds at 195 degrees, Megan De Lange (Vic) was 2nd in Race 7, finishing 3rd in Race 8, while Hanna scored a 2-3 result.

With only two races remaining, to be sailed tomorrow from 12.00pm, it is impossible for Dennison to catch the overall top two, the points difference too significant.

Progressive Points with 1 race drop:

1.  Debbie Hanna  10
2.  Megan De Lange  17
3.  Melanie Dennison  20

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

SAIL MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL REGATTA 2003 - THE PLACE TO BE

What a week of racing competitors had at the Sail Melbourne International Regatta at Sandringham Yacht Club, host for the Yachting Victoria organised ISAF Grade 1 Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta.

Both on and off the water, the regatta, sailed on Port Phillip Bay, was an exceptionally professional event, Sandringham Y.C. having excellent facilities to run an event of this magnitude.

Dedicated volunteers (85), from clubs all over Victoria support Sail Melbourne to ensure a well-run regatta. 

Competitors, both national and international, praised officials for a job well done, promising to come back next year, commenting they would encourage others to do the same.

From the top, Sail Melbourne Chairman, and immediate Past Commodore of Sandringham Yacht Club, Kevin Wood, Regatta Manager David Staley, Regatta Administrator Anna Ryan, and Principal Race Officer Kevin Wilson, to the on and off water volunteer assistants, all giving freely of their time to make the regatta the success it was.

Once again, there were few protests, surprising considering the level of competition in an event boasting 14 classes; 49er, 470, Finn, Tornado, Star, Yngling, Europe, Mistral, Laser, 2.4M, Laser Radial, 29er, 420 and Optimist. 

Racing started on Saturday, January 11, finishing up on January 16.  Weather conditions were mixed, giving competitors the opportunity to show their skills and vie for the prize money on offer.

As the Australian Yachting Federation utilised this regatta as an Australian selection event for the 2004 Olympics, with the exception of the Laser, and as the only Grade 1 ISAF ranking event in Australia, a number of the world’s top ranking competitors came to try their luck on Port Phillip Bay, arguably the toughest sailing ground in the world.

The 49ers sailed 15 races with two drops, the Star, Finn, Yngling, Tornado, Europe, 470, had 12 races, dropping two, the Womens and Mens Mistral, Laser, Laser Radial had 10 races for two drops, the 420, 29er, and 2.4mR contested eight races for one drop and the junior Optimist Dinghy had 5 races with one drop.

Prior to this regatta, the 49er skiffs had their Australian Championship at Royal Geelong YC, giving some insight into the various competitors’ performances, the same happening with a Warm-Up for Finn, Europe and Ynglings at Royal Brighton YC.

Chris Nicholson/Gary Boyd arrived as new 49er Australian champions, only looking threatened at that event by brothers, Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello.  Leading the series with only a few races to go, Gianfranco fractured his arm, leaving the brothers unable to complete the series.

At Royal Brighton, Nicky Bethwaite/Kate McHugh/Kristin Kosmala won from Melanie Dennison/Fiona Herbert/Caroline Aders in the Yngling, Carolijn Brouwer won the Europe class from Sarah Blank, Anthony Nossiter winning the Finn class from Pascal Rambeau.

There were really no surprise winners at this event, after all, there were a number of Olympians, including medallists, world champions and world ranked competitors, but in some classes, the final result came down to nail-biting finishes on the final day, making for exciting racing. 

Some great sailing came from young Australian competitors, some finishing with their best results ever, including brothers Ben and Marcus Tardrew in the 49er, Jo Dikkenberg sailing a Europe, Josh Beaver in the Finn, Mathew and Daniel Belcher in the 470, Robbie Lovig/Josh Fugill on the Tornado, Allison Shreeve in the Mistral Womens and Michael Lancey in the Mistral Mens.

In the Yngling class, the Warn sisters, 72 years old, with 18 year-old Tneal Kawalla crewing, gave the Olympic hopefuls a dose of how to do it in light airs, winning one race, finishing 2nd in another to be 2nd place overall after four races.  Many asked if they were contemplating Olympic selection.

“Names” were aplenty at Sail Melbourne, Tornado World-ranked 1 and current world champions, Darren Bundock and John Forbes, 49er former three-time world champion, and Sydney Olympian, Chris Nicholson with his new sailing partner Gary Boyd, Michael Blackburn, winner of Bronze in the Laser class at the Sydney Games, sailing his first major regatta back in the class. 

Gold medallists in the 470 class at the same Games, Mark Turnbull, Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell.  Lars Kleppich and Jessica Crisp, Australian Olympians from Sydney 2000, came back to contest the Mistrals.  In the Yngling, Melbourne’s Melanie Dennison, now world- ranked 2, was Australian Olympian for the Europe class at the Sydney Games, and Nicky Bethwaite, the first Australian woman to represent at an Olympic Games - 1988 in Seoul in the 470 class. 

World champion in the 29er, Euan McNicol raced a 49er, with John Harris, an 18ft skiff champion as his skipper.  Making a return to the Star class after a break, five-time Olympic representative, Colin Beashel and three time representative, David Giles, were in good form and Sarah Blanck, current World champion in the Europe class

Internationally, the line-up was impressive.  In the Finn class, Sebastien Godefroid (BEL), ranked 5 in the world, Europe ranked 2, Carolijn Brouwer (NED), and 5 ranked, Lenka Smidova, Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello (ITA), ranked 6 in the 49er class.

In the Mens Mistral, Jon Paul Tobin and Tom Ashley (NZL), Dom Tidey (GBR), top 20 rankers, Natasha Sturges (GBR), currently ranked 1 in the world, Barbara Kendall (NZL) current World champion, Wai Kei Chan (HK) ranked 7, contested the Mistral Mens and Womens. 

Weather-wise, on opening day, racing started at 12.00pm and 3.00pm, with light breezes in the 7-10 knot range shifting at 205-235 degrees, the same again in the afternoon, but at 150 degrees on flat seas, with beautiful sunny skies. 

Day 2, Sunday, racing got underway in near-perfect conditions with10 knots of breeze at 160 degrees, nice flat seas and a blue sunny sky, the afternoon was sailed in 8 knots at 165 degrees.

Monday came and officials canned racing for 49er, 29er, 420, Tornado and 2.4M classes, with winds in the solid 23-25 knots with regular gusts up to 30 knots.

With racing delayed, those that went out later got 18 knots at 340 degrees, with waves at one metre; later on it was a shifty 15-18 knots.

Tuesday’s racing got underway in 15-20 knots of breeze at 185 degrees, shifting slightly.  In the afternoon racing, 18-20 knot winds at 180 degrees greeted competitors.

On Wednesday, winds were gusty varying from 15-18 knots with quite a bit of chop on the water, moderating slightly in the afternoon, but shifty.

By the final day of racing, breezes had lightened once more to 5-6 knots, shifting from 140 to 180 degrees and back again.

Chris Nicholson/Gary Boyd (NSW) dominated the 49er class throughout the series with seven 1st places in 15 races.  They were impressive to watch, their only real competition coming from Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello (ITA) who finished 13.5 places behind.  

Nicholson is an incredible sailor, recently winning the 505 World Championship with his brother Darren.  He also competed in the Volvo Ocean Race, was 2nd on line aboard Grundig in the recent Rolex Sydney-Hobart race, and is a former three-time World champion in the 49er skiff.

Other standouts in the class were 22 and 24 year old Ben and Marcus Tardrew, brothers who have sailed in the class for one year, finishing 3rd at this regatta against some champion skiff sailors.  The pair made the step up from the 29er, and even Nicholson admits they have a future.

Mark Turnbull/Nick Partridge, looking at an Olympic campaign, finished 4th, but 49 points behind the winners. 

Final results in the Combined and Mens 470 did not surprise, Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page, world-ranked No. 1,exerting themselves for five wins, their worst result a 4th place – true class. 

The real fight was for the minor places, with two French teams and an Aussie pairing constantly warring for 2nd and 3rd.  Gildas Philippe/Nicholas Leberre (FRA) claimed 2nd place, sailing a more consistent series.  Mathew and Daniel Belcher (Qld) eventually won 3rd place from Nicolas Charbonnier/Tanguy Cariou (FRA).

It was a fabulous result for the Belchers at this level of competition, they would have to be happy with their result, outsailing 20 competitors to a top three place.

Jenny Armstrong/Belinda Stowell (NSW), world-ranked 2, took the Womens prize without any trouble, although finishing the Combined regatta in 7th place.  Ingrid Petitjean/Nadege Douroux (FRA) ranked 10, their nearest rivals, finished 13 points behind.  New Zealand girls, Shelley Hesson/Linda Dickson, finished 3rd.  

While ranked 5 sailor, Lenka Smidova (CZE), might have won the Europe class, she did not have things all her own way, however, she sailed her way quietly to the top, beating the ranked 2 Carolijn Brouwer (NED), and current World champion, Sarah Blanck (Vic) in 3rd.

Any of the three could have won, but Smidova was the more consistent, her worst result two 4th places, which she used as drops.

A girl to watch in the Europe is the 5th placed Jo Dikkenberg (NSW), sailing her way to a best result in international competition, scoring two wins and other top places.  She beat ranked competitors, and has only been in the class for just over one year.

Sebastien Godefroid (BEL), once again outclassed his competitors in the Finn class.  Previously ranked 2 in the world, he is working his way up again from the 5 spot, after taking time out to sail big boats. 

However, Anthony Nossiter (NSW) gave the Belgian a run for his money, finishing 2nd and only seven points behind.  Some time spent on the Volvo Ocean Race seems to have given Nossiter a new lease on life.

Pascal Rambeau (FRA) finished ten points behind Nossiter, and is keen to come back next year to improve his skills.  Josh Beaver (WA), finished 5th, after only one year in the class.  He is determined to represent Australia at Olympic level, setting himself a number of goals for the coming year.

Of the Star keelboat competitors, three Australian teams stood out – Colin Beahsel/David Giles (NSW), former Olympians, five and three times respectively, winning Bronze together in 1996.

Ian ‘Barney’ Walker/Nick Williams (Vic).  Walker is an Etchells champion, competed in the Volvo Ocean Race, recently won line honours in the Sydney-Hobart race, and won at Sail Melbourne last year.  The pair is extremely keen to represent at the Athens Olympics.

Iain Murray/Andrew Palfrey (NSW), have not spent a lot of time together in the class of late.  Murray busy with numerous commitments has the magic touch in any class he chooses to sail.

Beashel/Giles were the clear winners at this regatta, six wins and experience counting for a lot.  Walker/Williams gave it all they had, but continued to finish the bridesmaid to the winners.

Murray/Palfrey came away with one win from Beashel/Giles, but were not consistent enough to capitalise, finishing 3rd, four points behind Walker/Williams.

On the Tornado course, there was no beating Darren Bundock/John Forbes, current World champions, ranked 1 in the world, Silver medallists at Sydney 2000 – unbeatable at the best of times, and certainly here.  They won every race.

Iordanis Paschalides/Christos Garefis (GRE), training partners to Bundy and Forbes, finished in 2nd place, commenting on how much better they are getting just training with the pair.  ‘We call it the True Olympic Spirit, when they are in Greece we look after them, when we are in Australia, they look after us, and they share all their knowledge with us,’ Garefis said.

Coming in 3rd, Nigel Williams/Jeremy Stephenson (NZL) said they had come to Sail Melbourne ‘for the experience’ and to sail against the World no.1 pair, looking to advance.

A Battle Royale took place on the Yngling keelboat course – in one corner the locals, Melanie Dennison/Fiona Herbert/Caroline Aders (Vic), in the other, Nicky Bethwaite/Kate McHugh/Kristin Kosmala (NSW). 

They fought it out tooth and nail, it was like watching America’s Cup match racing, the onlookers enthralled.  At times, they forgot about the other competitors on the course, and early in the series, exponents of the class, 72 year old fraternal twins, Pat and Joyce Warn, with young crew member Tneal Kawalla, walked away with a win in light airs, and came between the pair on a couple of occasions, sitting 2nd overall momentarily, endearing themselves to competitors, onlookers and media alike.

The final result came down to the last race on the final day, and in a tied situation, Dennison won on count back.  With both teams looking for Olympic selection, some tough bouts are bound to come.

On the Mistral courses, things were as tough, with a number of major players in both Mens and Womens, the top three places changing regularly in both, the New Zealanders outstanding.

Jon Paul Tobin (NZL), ranked 14, eventually got the better of his countryman, Tom Ashley, ranked 15, and Australia’s Lars Kleppich in 3rd, making a come back after the Sydney 2000 Games.  Michael Lancey (NSW), at 21 years of age, put in a command performance to finish 4th – his best result in international competition, with three wins in his end result.  This could turn the tide for him.

In the Womens, Barbara Kendall (NZL), is current World champion, oldest woman in the fleet at 35, and on the come back trail after giving birth to a daughter in 2001.

This is the third World Championship Regatta that Kendall has won - securing the title of Women's Mistral World Champion in 1998 and 1999, she is also a three time Olympic medallist, winning Gold in Barcelona 1992, Silver in Atlanta 1996, and Bronze in Sydney 2000.

On the final day of racing, she overcame Natasha Sturges (GBR), ranked 1 in the World, and leading going into the final day.  Sturges has also represented at Olympics for Australia, and is a former three-time Youth World champion.

Jessica Crisp (NSW), Olympic representative in 2000, made a flying trip from the USA to compete, her first major regatta for some time, and finished a close 3rd overall.  It could have gone to any of the three.

Like Lancey, Allison Shreeve (NSW) also made her biggest impact, finishing 4th and winning two races, this may also be her turn around.

Michael Blackburn (NSW) making a return to the Laser in December, after a period sailing a 49er with Chris Nicholson, took control from Race 5, with four straight wins.  He did not look back, showing the form that won him the Bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic Games.

Others had their opportunities; Diego Negri (ITA) ranked 7, had a go, as did Andrew Murdoch (NZL) early in the series, but eventually dropped back.  Ed Wright (GBR) ranked 5, gave it a shot, but finished 2nd, as did Roope Suomalainen (FIN) ranked 9, eventually finishing 3rd.

This was perhaps the toughest class, with 47 entries, six of them ranked top 20 in the world, including Brendan Casey (Qld), ranked 6, finishing 8th, a disqualification in Race 6 not helping.

The Laser Radial series belonged to Jake Bartrom (NZL), from the first day, scoring four wins and three 2nd places, an OCS not stopping him take the prize by eight points from Richard Howard (AUS).   Bartrom, a boy to watch, won the class in last year’s event, with Howard 3rd.

Adam Beattie (AUS) finished a close 3rd.  The first female home was Debbie Hanna (NTH IRE), in 12th spot from Megan De Lange (AUS) in 13th.

Stuart Shimeld (ACT) was never threatened in the 2.4mR boat, his winning margin 13 points clear of James Thompson (Vic), and a further two points to 3rd placegetter, Andrew May (NZL).  Shimeld builds the 2.4M, so knows a thing or two about how it works.

Former two-time National champion, Michael Leydon finished back in 5th place, the field of eight comprising champions of some sort or another, with only one woman contesting the event, Pamela Murray trying her luck, finishing 8th, but gaining experience.

Due to conflicting National championships, a lone four entries contested the 420, the Indian pairing of Mithu Nahak/Thimiti Srikanth Chatu victorious over Kale Woolley/Daniel Farthing (AUS), with James Dyer/Danielle Pascoe 3rd.  Pascoe is currently sailing a Hobie 16 in the Commonwealth Sailing Championships with her father Paul.

James Tudball/Matt Williams totally dominated the small Australian contingent in the 29er competition, finishing eight races with seven 1st placings, with Lucian Francis/Wulf Wilkens in 2nd, 11 points behind the winners.  Andrew Churcher/Rhys Bancroft placed 3rd, Bancroft straight from his National title win in the B14 class, and 3rd in the World title.

Leon Poutsma and Ben Gunther battled it out for 1st place in the junior Optimist Dinghy, the former taking the win on the last day of racing, one point in front of Gunther.  In the all-Aussie field, Melody Kelly (WA) showed the girls how it was done, coming home 3rd overall.

The Sail Melbourne Regatta incorporated 25 regattas at 13 yacht clubs, and included nine National championships and four State titles with competitors from 31 countries.  Highlights were the International B14 World Championships held at McCrae Yacht Club, and the Annual ISAF Grade 1 Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta.

In all, there were 1,919 competitors, of which 308 competed in the Olympic & Invited Classes.

For full results, reports and photos:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Magnavox Home First in Long Race at Australian Offshore Keelboat Championships

Sixty-four yachts lined up at the start of the 57 nautical mile ocean race on Day 3 of the Australian Offshore Keelboat Championships on Port Phillip Bay this morning.

After a general recall, the yachts got away 10.10am, Magnavox, a Volvo 60 steered by Peter Sorenson (MHYC), and Hollywood Boulevard, the Farr 52 skippered by Ray Roberts, getting off the line quickly in the 12-15 knot southerly that increased during the morning to 20-25 knots from sou-sou-east to sou-sou-west, on choppy seas.

Two yachts retired early from the race, Mossimo (RMYS), Mel Mollison’s 9.20 metre sloop, breaking a spinnaker pole, and Clubman (RYCV), Terry Oakley’s Super Clubman 30.

Late this afternoon, only six yachts had crossed the finish line; Magnavox at 4.39.57, Hollywood Boulevard at 4.55.09 and the well-sailed Elliot 14.10, Maverick II (RNZYS), skippered by New Zealander, Brian Peterson, followed by Cadibarra (SYC), the Don Jones 12.93 skippered by Nigel Jones and the Nelson Marek 46, Quest (CYCA), skippered by Bob Steel.

Stephen Ainsworth’s Swan 48, Loki (CYCA), was approximately 15 minutes behind Quest, which was helmed by Sean Kirkjian, and could put the pair in equal 1st place overall in the Customs House Hotel IRC Division going into the final two windward return races tomorrow at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria.

With Loki a known performer in the heavier conditions, the 2002 Hobart winner, Quest, will have to stay on her toes to win the series.

The rest of the fleet is expected to trickle in throughout the night.

Full race results will not be known until tomorrow, when a further update will occur.

For results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Loki Wins First Two Races of Australian Offshore Keelboat Championship

Stephen Ainsworth and his crew on the Swan 48, Loki, came ashore very pleased with themselves after the first two races of the Australian Keelboat Championship conducted by Royal Yacht Club of Victoria at Williamstown this afternoon.

Ainsworth, from the CYCA in Sydney, won both races in the popular IRC class, sailing in 15-22 knots of wind with lumpy seas at 150-175 degrees on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne today.

‘The racing is very close on the windward/leeward courses – we only beat Quest by just over a second today in the first race, and we are having close racing with Hollywood Boulevard too,’ he said this afternoon.

‘It’s hard to do better than two wins, we are pleased with the way we are going,’ Ainsworth added, and well he might be after their disqualification from the Rolex Sydney-Hobart race after causing damage to another entrant.

Bob Steel’s Quest (CYCA) finished 2nd in today’s first race, finishing 5th in Race 2, with Ray Roberts’ Farr 52, Hollywood Boulevard (CYCA) coming home 3rd in both races.  Gary Smith’s Tusk (Royal Perth YC), a 9.7m S97, came home 2nd in Race 2.

Quest, a Nelson Marek 46, has won just about every major race on the Eastern seaboard, recently winning overall the recent Hobart race under IMS, and should be the benchmark for this regatta.

Under AMS handicap, it was pretty much a local affair in both races, 1st and 2nd placegetters from Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Jon Klestadt’s BB 10m Surprise 1st in both races from Toecutter, Robert Hick’s designed and owned success story in 2nd for both races, with Rob Davis’ Beneteau 31.7, Owl & Pussycats (RMYS) in 3rd for Race 1.  Athol Lidgett’s Hick 31, Wake, 3rd in Race 2.

Davis’ boat will bear watching, he carted of a number of prizes at the Bundaberg Festival of Sail last year, and all of Hicks’ designs are fast.

Overall, Loki leads the IRC with two races in hand, as does Surprise in AMS, for the same reason.

In PHD Race 1, it was Chris Carlile’s Holland 11m, Blue Chip (SYC) from Mossimo Mel Mollison’s MA 9.20m (RMYS) and Donal Mark/Helen Cameron’s MA 9.20 Star Fire ((SYC).

In Race 2, Bruce Taylor’s Sydney 38 Chutzpah (RYCV) 1st from Brian Peterson’s Elliot 14.10, Maverick II, all the way from Royal New Zealand YS and Brian Barnes’ Cavalier 350SL, Barnstormer (SYC).

Racing continues for the 70 entrants on Port Phillip Bay tomorrow, with a further two windward return races starting from 11.55am.

Monday and Tuesday have been set aside as lay days.

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Quest Takes Lead in Australian Offshore Keelboat Championships

Bob Steel’s Quest (CYCA) scored a win in today’s third race of the Australian Keelboat Championships at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria today to take the lead in the Customs House Hotel IRC Division after four races.

Robert Hick’s Toecutter (RYCV) came in 2nd, with Lou Abraham’s Another Challenge (SYC) 3rd from Ray Roberts’ Hollywood Boulevard (CYCA).

Racing got underway today at 11.55 in pleasant 10 knot breezes on the windward return courses on Port Phillip Bay, but by this afternoon, the wind had increased to 15 knots on choppy seas, putting yesterday’s winner, Loki back on the score board after a 9th placing in Race 3.

Skippered by her owner, Stephen Ainsworth, Loki (CYCA) revelled in the heavier conditions to win Race 4, from Quest and Gary Smith’s Tusk (RPYC), with Another Challenge in 3rd from Hollywood Boulevard.

Provisionally, Quest leads with 10 points from Loki with 12, Hollywood Boulevard on 15 and Another Challenge with 19, after breaking the start and having to return in Race 1 yesterday.

Chris Dare’s Ninety Seven will not be racing, having suffered a broken mast in yesterday’s race.

In the AMS class today, the Robert Hick steered Toecutter won Race 3 from Lowa Pazko’s Quadrant Rihannon (SYC) and Athol Lidgett’s Wake (RYCV).

Race 4 had Frank Hammond’s Horizon Sprint (RYCV) in 1st place from Wake and Toecutter. 

Progressively, after four races, the well-sailed Toecutter leads with 8 points from Wake on 12 and Jon Klestadt’s Surprise (RYCV), Horizon Sprint and Rob Davis’ Owl & Pussycats (SYC) equal 3rd on 16.

The Brian Peterson steered Maverick II (RNZYS) continued to dominate today, winning Race 3 in PHD from Graeme Smith’s Wild One (SYC) and Clive Sondheim’s Public Bar (SYC).

Race 4 and it was Horizon Sprint in 1st from Graeme Paul’s Adams Den (RYCV) and Maverick II in 3rd place.

Progressively, Maverick II has a clear lead with 25 points after four races, from John Rouse’s Rouseabout 3 (MYC) on 46 and Horizon Sprint and Paul Jacka’s First Musketeer (SYC) with 47 each.

Racing resumes on Wednesday with a 50 nautical mile race starting at 9.55am on Port Phillip Bay,
Monday and Tuesday being lay days.

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Lovig and Douglas On Top in Hobie 16 at Commonwealth Championships

Robbie Lovig/Glen Douglas (Vic) continue to their lead of the Hobie 16 class at the Commonwealth Championships out of Sandringham Yacht Club in Melbourne today.

The pair finished with a 3-1 result to lead by one point from Shayne Brodie/Loren Gough (FIJ) who finished today with a 2nd and 3rd place, to maintain their 2nd overall place.

Paul Pascoe and his daughter Danielle had their first win of the series today in Race 5, finishing 5th in Race 6 in the heavier conditions, which peaked at 18 knots.

The Hobies raced on triangle windward return courses today, with winds in the 12-18 knot range at 165-175 degrees on Port Phillip Bay.

Racing continues tomorrow at 1.00pm with two further races.

Progressive points:

1.  Robbie Lovig/Glen Douglas    9
2.  Shayne Brodie/Loren Gough  10
3.  Bruce Tardrew/Sarah Turnbull  15
     Steve Fields/Kieran Browne  15 

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Blackburn Wins Two More to Capitalise on Lead in Laser Class

Unlike his fellow competitors, Michael Blackburn is showing no tiredness on the Laser course at the Commonwealth Sailing Championships, winning both today’s races to capitalise on his lead.

In 12-18 knot winds on Port Phillip Bay, Blackburn was at his best, defeating Ed Wright (GBR) in both races with Alastair Gair (NZL) finishing 3-4 today, and Russell McGovern (NIR) finishing 3-4.

Michael Blackburn is the overall leader of the series, with Wright in 2nd and Gair in 3rd.

Racing continues out of Sandringham Yacht Club tomorrow, at 1.00pm with two further races.

Progressive results:

1.  Michael Blackburn    7
2.  Ed Wright   13
3.  Alastair Gair  15

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

New Zealand & Australia Tie for 1st in 470 at Commonwealth Sailing Championships

Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page (NSW) and Andrew Brown/Jamie Hunt (NZL) have found themselves in a tied situation on Day 3 of the Commonwealth Sailing Championships on Port Phillip Bay this afternoon.

Racing started late today, with major wind shifts on the course today, but when it kicked in, it came in nice and solid at 12-18 knots.

Brown/Hunt won Race 5 from brothers Nat and Dan Belcher (Qld) and Wilmot/Page in 3rd, then Belcher/Belcher won Race 6 from Brown/Hunt, then Wilmot/Page in 3rd, which put the cat amongst the pigeons, resulting in a tied situation for 1st place. putting the Belcher brothers, former 420 World champions in a close 3rd overall.

Racing continues on Port Phillip Bay tomorrow at 1.00pm with two further races.

Progressive Results:

1.  Wilmot/Page  10
2.  Brown/Hunt  10
3.  Belcher/Belcher  13

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Melanie Dennison Wins Both Races Today in Laser Radial

Winner of the Yngling keelboat class at Sail Melbourne’s Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta, Melanie Dennison (Vic), showed her versatility today winning both races in the Laser Radial class at the Commonwealth Sailing Championships.

Northern Ireland’s Debbie Hanna continues to lead the series being sailed on Port Phillip Bay this week, after two 2nd places today.

Megan De Lange (Vic) finished 3rd in today’s Race 5, while Margaret Morgan grabbed 3rd place in Race 6, giving her 3rd place overall provisionally.

Racing was delayed today due to massive winds shifts on the Bay, finally getting underway at 1.00pm, with 12-18 knots winds throughout the afternoon at 140 degrees for Race 5, shifting to 165 degrees for Race 6.

Racing continues out of Sandringham Yacht Club tomorrow at 1.00pm with two further races.

Progressive Results:

1.  Debbie Hanna   6
2.  Megan De Lange  12
3.  Margaret Morgan  16

For full results and information go to the official website at: www.sailmelbourne.com.au

AIS sailors in clean sweep of Olympic Nomination Regattas

Sailability is sailing for everyone

Sailability Victoria has been effectively re-launched at a celebratory function held in conjunction with the Access Dinghy Victorian Championships in Geelong this weekend. 

The Sailing For Everyone organisation and its established group of community sailing centres has merged with Sailability Victoria to create a major state-wide network of branches which provide sailing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.  The merger has occurred as a result of Sailability Victoria’s adoption of the inclusive philosophy promoted by the Sailing For Everyone organisation and the desire to have all groups working towards common goals under the same banner.

“Sailability was introduced to Australia in 1990 as a disabled sailing program by the then Victorian Yachting Council”, announced Sailability Victoria Chairman, Murray Mitchelhill at the launch event, “but people with disabilities should not be cut off from the community in isolated programs”.
“Sailability Victoria believes that sailing should be accessible to all people, regardless of age or ability, and we encourage the able-bodied to participate alongside people with a disability”.
“This approach is helping to break down the social differentiation and stigma which can be associated with disability if people feel separated from the rest of society,” said Mr Mitchelhill.

“Sailability programs allow families with a disabled parent or child to enjoy an exciting activity together, and schoolchildren with a disability to sail against their able-bodied peers on a more equal basis than they relate in the schoolyard”, said Mr Mitchelhill.

Mr Mitchelhill also pointed to the Access Dinghy itself as being key to this strategy.
“These little Access Dinghies are so easy to sail, they enable people of all ages and abilities, people with no previous boating experience, or those with quite profound disabilities to experience the sheer pleasure of sailing with a minimum of instruction”. 
“Most important to this last group is that they can sail independently”, he said.  “In the lives of many people with a disability, true independence is a rare and treasured thing”.

Sailability and Sailing For Everyone have been brought together through a long process consultation and cooperation over the past two years.  A working committee comprising representatives of both organisations negotiated the final details of the merger, with the incorporated S4E association wound up in December. 

The Sailability Victoria – Sailing For Everyone is a committee of the Peak Sailing Organisation, Yachting Victoria.
Sailability Geelong, which operates from the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and is supported by club and community volunteers, was host to the 2003 Victorian Access Dinghy Championships on January 18 & 19.

Additional Media Information

David Staley:  Secretary – Sailability Victoria
Tel: 03 9597 0066   Fax: 03 9598 7384
Mob: 0428 514 058   Email: david@yachtingvictoria.com.au

Murray Mitchelhill:  President – Sailability Victoria
Mob: 0408 159 298   Email: myhill@bigpond.com

The 'Medal Maker' Joins Australian Team

The Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Gary Hardgrave, welcomed Victor Kovalenko, the Australian Yachting Federation (AYF) and Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Head Coach (sailing), into the Australian family by conferring citizenship on him in Melbourne today.

Mr Kovalenko, known internationally as the ‘Medal Maker’ because of his continued coaching successes, coached the Australian 470’s Sailing team to two gold medals at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Mr Kovalenko became an Australian citizen today in front of representatives of the Australian yachting community, friends and family at the Sandringham Yacht Club.

Mr Hardgrave congratulated Mr Kovalenko on his commitment to both Australian sport and the Australian community and officially welcomed him into the Australian family by presenting him with an Australian flag for his coach boat.

“All Australians recognise with pride what it means to be an Australian citizen and by pledging citizenship today Mr Kovalenko is celebrating the values which unite us as a community, celebrating what it means to be Australian.

“We are a diverse community made up of Indigenous peoples, descendants of earlier generations of settlers, and migrants from all over the world.

“In the lead up to this Australia Day it is important to remember what brings us together - our commitment to a set of core civic values, such as loyalty to Australia and its people, a shared belief in the democratic process, respect for the rights and liberties of other Australians and a commitment to uphold and obey Australia’s laws,” Mr Hardgrave said.

Victor first arrived to Australia in October 1997 from the Ukraine to work with the Australian Yachting Federation in the role of National Coach for the 470 Men’s and Women’s Olympic classes.

Victor’s work with the athletes in these classes led to extraordinary results in 1999 and 2000, with Australia winning Gold in both 470 events at the 2000 Olympic Games.

Kovalenko was named AYF National Head Coach and AIS Sailing Program Head Coach in November 2000.

“I love Australia very much, there is a great sense of freedom and I love the spirit of the people.

“For me the people are the real Australia, they inspire me to be Australian and work for my Australian team – friendly, fantastic and amazing people,” Mr Kovalenko said.

Australian teams announced for 2003 ISAF World Team Racing Championship

The AYF Board of Directors has approved the selection of the following two teams to represent Australia at the 2003 ISAF World Team Racing Championship:

• Australian Team 1 from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron:
  Sarah Roberts-Thomson, Ben Roberts-Thomson, Sarah Board, Matthew Chew, Dean Horton, David Chew, Jack Mason (coach).

• Australian Team 2 from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania:
  Stewart Wells, Tim Cubit, Rod Chamberlain, Caroline Ross, Nick Jones, Patrick Hutton, Murray Jones (coach).

These two teams finished first and second respectively in the selection regatta hosted by the Tasmanian Yachting Association (in conjunction with Sandy Bay Sailing Club and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania) from Friday 29th November till Sunday 1st December.

The 2003 ISAF World Team Racing Championship will be held in Auckland, New Zealand from 31st January till 7th February 2003. This year teams from the Czech Republic, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United States of America will compete for the coveted prize.

For more information please visit the 2003 ISAF World Team Racing Championships website.

New Zealand’s Jake Bartrom from Go to Whoa in Laser Radial at Sail Melbourne

From Day 1, wonder kid, Jake Bartrom showed his prowess in the Laser Radial class, the class he won this regatta in last year.

With four wins and other top placings, the rest of the filed had no chance - this is definitely somebody to watch in future years – maybe at America Cup.

Richard Howard (AUS) gave it all he had, finishing one place better than last year – 2nd to Howard in this year’s event.

Adam Beattie (AUS) finished in 3rd place, just short of Howard’s points, with a 4th place in today’s 9th race sailed in extremely light airs.

Final Results:

1st Jake Bartrom  13 points
2nd Richard Howard 21
3rd Adam Beattie  24

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Blackburn Well on Track For Olympic Campaign

Michael Blackburn (NSW), winner of Bronze at the Sydney 2000 Games is well on track for his next Olympic campaign, winning the Laser class at Sail Melbourne today.

Currently unranked in the World standings, due to sailing a 49er for some time, Blackburn has not lost his skill or poise on the Laser, this being his first major regatta for two and a half years.

Ed Wright, World ranked 5, finished in 2nd place some eight points behind Blackburn, in the largest fleet – 48 boats in all, with some of the worlds best Laser sailors.

Roope Suomalainen (FIN), ranked 9th on world standings, finished 3rd overall, with the world No. 7, Diego Negri in 4th.

Brendan Casey (Qld), also aiming for Olympic Games representation, finished  
Although disappointed with an OCS in his series, he was happy with his result here. 

‘Yes, I am happy with the way I’m sailing, this has been a great regatta, the competition in the Laser has been really strong here, I’m getting in lots of practice and learning lots, I just need to go and continue training,’ he said today.

Final results:

1st Michael Blackburn  17 points
2nd Ed Wright   25
3rd Roope Suomalianen  31.50

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

New Zealand’s Jon Paul Tobin Wins Mistral Mens at Sail Melbourne

New Zealand has some of the best sail boarders in the World, and that was evident in both the Womens and Mens final results today.

Jon Paul Tobin (NZL) has come out the other end victorious after a 2-2 result today to grab the series from his compatriot Tom Ashley (NZL).

Tobin is ranked 14 in the World, Ashley 15, and the pair battled throughout the regatta with Aussies, Lars Kleppich (NSW), a former two-time Olympian, and Michael Lancey (NSW), who has performed better at this regatta than any other he has attended.

Racing was very tight in the racing, the lead changing many times throughout the series.

Sailing out of host club, Sandringham YC, on Port Phillip Bay today in light airs, today’s final two races had different winners – Michael Lancey winning Race 9 and Dominic Tidey (GBR) winning Race 10.

Final Results:

1st Jon Paul Tobin 15 points
2nd Tom Ashley  22
3rd Lars Kleppich  30

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Kendall Back With a Vengeance to Win Mistral Womens Event

The oldest competitor on the Olympic trail in the Mistral Womens event, Barbara Kendall (NZL), at 35, made a comeback today to win the event from Natasha Sturges (GBR) and Jessica Crisp (NSW).

Kendall, the current World champion, who led the regatta earlier on against some of the best competition in the world, was lying in 2nd place, two points behind Sturges, going into today’s two races.

Upstaging the rest, she finished with a 2-1 result today, Sturges finishing 5-3, and next best placed, Jessica Crisp (AUS), who finished 3-6 today for a 3rd place overall.

This was undoubtedly one of the toughest and closest competitions at the Regatta, a number of top ranked sailors in attendance, as well as a number of Australian girls trying their hand for Olympic selection.

Allison Shreeve (NSW) had one of the best regattas in adult competition of her career, finishing in 4th place of the 10 race series in the light airs on Port Phillip Bay today.

Final Results:

1st Barbara Kendall  17 points
2nd Natasha Sturges  19
3rd Jessica Crisp   21

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Dennison Wins Yngling Keelboat on Count Back to Bethwaite at Sail Melbourne

In some of the most exciting racing in the Sail Melbourne Regatta on Port Phillip Bay, the two Yngling keelboat Olympic hopefuls went at it again today, both wanting to win this Regatta, an Australian Olympic selection event. 

Melanie Dennison/Fiona Herbert/Caroline Aders (Vic) went into today’s two races one point in front of Nicky Bethwaite/Kate McHugh/Kristin Kosmala (NSW).

With the breezes light – only 5 knots or so, Dennison won the Race 11 by 40 seconds, but Bethwaite came back in Race 12, winning it from the sailing sensations, Pat and Joyce Warn, now 72 years old, with their 18 year old crew, Tneal Kawalla, leaving Dennison in 3rd place.

This left team Dennison and team Bethwaite in a tied situation with 15 points each – to break the tie, officials count back to see who has the most 1st places during the 12-race series, and that was Dennison, one more 1st placing than Bethwaite – it could not have been closer.

In third place, Team Warn, showing the rest how to sail in light air – they are the specialists.

Final Results:

1st Melanie Dennison/Fiona Herbert/Caroline Aders  15 points
2nd Nicky Bethwaite/Kate McHugh/Kristin Kosmala 15  (2nd on countback)
3rd Pat & Joyce Warn/Tneal Kawalla   29 

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Bundock and Forbes Win Every Race of Tornado Class to Take Series

Current World champions, and ranked No. 1 in the World pair, Darren Bundock and John Forbes have repeated their performance of last year’s Sail Melbourne Regatta by winning every race in the Tornado class.

Sailing their final two races in light airs, the pair were at their best, leaving their rivals in awe of their ability.

Their training partners, Iordanis Paschalides/Christos Garefis (GRE) said they had really enjoyed Sail Melbourne, and the opportunity of yet again racing against Bundock and Forbes, finishing their day with two 2nd placings.

The Kiwi’s also enjoyed their regatta, the first time the two have sailed together at Sail Melbourne, and happy with their 3rd place.

Final Results:

1st Darren Bundock/John Forbes   10 points
2nd Iordanis Paschalides/Christos Garefis  16
3rd Nigel Williams/Jeremy Stephenson   28

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Beashel & Giles Classy in Star Keelboat at Sail Melbourne Regatta

Colin Beashel and David Giles (NSW) did not race today – they packed their boat up ready for the next regatta, already having the Star title at Sail Melbourne in their hands.

Beashel and Giles, who have represented at Olympics on numerous occasions, including Sydney 2000 in the Star class, finished the regatta on Port Phillip Bay with 11 points.

Their nearest competition came in the form of Ian ‘Barney’ Walker and Nick Williams (Vic), who try as they might, could not keep pace with the pair.

As Walker said earlier, it would take a lot of practice, technique and patience to overcome the experience of Beashel and Giles.

Coming home 3rd were Iain Murray and Andrew Palfrey (NSW), not too far off Walker/Williams’ score.

With Murray busy with business and other sailing commitments, the duo have not spent enough valuable time on the water to outsail the others.

Final Results:

1st Colin Beashel/David Giles   11 points
2nd Ian ‘Barney’ Walker Nick Williams  18
3rd Iain Murray/Andrew Palfrey   22

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Wilmot/Page Trounce the Opposition in Combined 470 Class at Sail Melbourne

Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page (NSW) had outclassed the 470 fleet to comfortably win the Combined 470 class at the Sail Melbourne Regatta on Port Phillip Bay.

The 470 had two final races today in light 5-knot breezes to complete their 12-race series in which Philippe Gildas/Nicholas Leberre (FRA) finished 2nd overall from brothers Mathew and Daniel Belcher (Qld) who have sailed an excellent regatta.

Nicolas Charbonnier/Tanguy Cariou (FRA) also sailed well to finish 4th, missing a couple of opportunities to be in the top three.

In the Womens fleet, Gold medallists from Sydney 2000, Jenny Armstrong/Belinda Stowell (NSW) came home a close 1st (7th overall) from Ingrid Peititjean/Nadege Douroux (FRA) and Shelley Hesson/Linda Dickson (NZL). 

Today’s two races were sailed in light 5-6 knot shifty breezes.

Final Results – Combined Fleet & Mens Fleet:

1st Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page  16 points
2nd Philippe Gildas/Nicholas Leberre  29
3rd Mathew & Daniel Belcher  40

Womens Fleet:

1st Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell  75
2nd  Ingrid Petitijean/Nadege Douroux   88
3rd  Shelley Hesson/Linda Dickson on   97

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Godefroid Wins Finn Class Two Years in Succession at Sail Melbourne Regatta

Finn sailing supremo, Sebastien Godefroid (BEL) has once again outsailed his competitors at Sail Melbourne, winning by a seven-point margin to be declared winner in the Mens Olympic class single-handed dinghy.

 This is the second year in succession Godefroid has won at Sail Melbourne, winning six of the 12 races with two race drops.

He beat Anthony Nossiter (NSW) the Olympian from the Sydney 2000 Games, who has had one of his best regattas, winning today’s Race 11, finishing 3rd in the final race 12.

Pascal Rambeau (FRA) finished 3rd overall with a 7-5 result today from Paul McKenzie (Vic) and young Josh Beaver (WA).

Breezes on the Finn course today were an extremely light 5 knots at 180-140 degrees.

Anthony Nossiter wins this battle for Olympic selection, this being an Australian selection event.  It also scores him valuable points on the world rankings, Sail Melbourne being the only Grade 1 ISAF ranking regatta in Australia.

Final Results:

1st Sebastien Godefroid  13 points
2nd Anthony Nossiter  20
3rd Pascal Rambeau  30

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Tudball/Williams Win 29er Skiff Hands Down at Sail Melbourne

James Tudball/Matt Williams (AUS) have won the 29er skiff class at Sail Melbourne without a backward glance, winning all but the last race of the series today.

Two races were sailed today to complete the series, second place getters overall, Lucian Francis/Wulf Wilkens scoring a win in the final race.

Coming home 3rd overall were Andrew Churcher and Rhys Bancroft (Vic), Bancroft fresh from his National Championship win and Worlds 3rd placing in the B14 skiff at McCrae Yacht Club.

The 29ers had a ten race series with one drop and today’s final races were sailed in light 5-knot winds on Olympic Trapezoid courses.

Final Results:

1st Tudball/Williams  7 points
2nd Francis/Wilkens  18
3rd Churcher/Bancroft  20

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Win 420 Youth Dinghy at Sail Melbourne

Mithu Nahak/Thimiti Srikanth Chatu, have come home first in the eight-race 420 Youth Class to win from their three competitors at Sail Melbourne today.

The pair, from the Indian Army sailing team in Mumbai (Bombay), sailed well to beat their Australian counterparts, Kale Woolley/Daniel Farthing, who finished in 2nd place.

The Indian sailors are the younger emerging high performance competitors, and have trained in Australia with Lex Bertrand and Chris Kelly, along with their Indian coach, Gautam Dutta, to achieve their fine result.

Coming home 3rd overall was James Dyer/Danielle Pascoe (Vic), with Bhavana Chiranjay/Lucky Bisht in 4th.

Final Results:

1st Mithu Nahak/Thimiti Srikanth Chatu  14 points
2nd Kale Woolley/Daniel Farthing   16
3rd James Dyer/Danielle Pascoe   21

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Smidova Keeps on Top to Win Europe Class at Sail Melbourne

Lenka Smidova (CZE) stayed in a top four position throughout the 12-race Europe series at Sail Melbourne to win by five points today.

The World-ranked 5 Smidova sailed consistently well to outclass her rivals, her nearest competitor being the World-ranked No. 2, Carolijn Brouwer (NED) who finished five places behind her overall.

Smidova recorded a 1-4 result in the two race-drop series, Brouwer’ a 5-1. 

Current World champion, Sarah Blanck (Vic) came home third, placing 6-2, five points behind Brouwer.

As an Australian selection event, this helps Blanck’s chances of representing at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and also gives her ranking points.

The top five placegetters were close on points, Sarah Macky (NZL) finishing only one point behind Blanck, and young Jo Dikkenberg (NSW) 3.4 points behind her.

Today’s races were sailed in extremely light conditions, only 5-6 knots on Port Phillip Bay. 

Final points:

1st Smidova  20
2nd Brouwer  25
3rd Blanck  30.

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Leon Poutsma Wins Battle of the Optimist at Sail Melbourne

Sailing neck-and-neck with Ben Gunther in the all Australian fleet of the Optimist this week at Sail Melbourne, Leon Poutsma put an end to it today, finishing with a 2-1 result to be named winner at Sail Melbourne.

The ten youngsters in the fleet have had a ball all week sailing amongst the superstar world champions and Olympians at Sandringham YC.

Gunther had to be happy with a 2-4 result today, 4th his worst result for the regatta, to take 2nd prize.  Today’s races were sailed in extremely light breezes only reaching 5 knots.

Melody Kelly from Western Australia sailed her worst races today also, with a 4-8 result, but still came home first.  She was one of four girls sailing in the Optimist this week.

Final Results:

1st Poutsma  7 points
2nd  Gunther  8
3rd  Kelly    16

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Shimeld Romps it Home to Win 2.4M Dinghy at Sail Melbourne Regatta

Stuart Shimeld (ACT) has sailed an excellent series to take out the 1.4M Dinghy class at Sail Melbourne on Port Phillip Bay today.

In the one race drop series, Shimeld has well and truly outclassed his competitors, winning five of the eight races sailed, his worst result today, an 8th placing.

His nearest rival was James Thompson (Vic), who scored a 6-4 result to finish 2nd overall for the series.

Coming home in 3rd overall was Andrew May (NZL), the only international competitor in the fleet.  He finished the day with 5-1, after sailing in light 5-knot breezes on the Bay.

Sandringham YC, host for the entire Olympic & Invited Classes Regatta, has done a marvellous job, both on and off the water, keeping officials and competitors happy.  With an army of smiling and helpful volunteers, things couldn’t have been better.

Final Results:

1st Stuart Shimeld  10 points
2nd  James Thompson       23
3rd  Andrew May   25

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Nicholson/Boyd Run Away With Sail Melbourne 49er Prize

At their absolute best, Chris Nicholson/Gary Boyd (NSW) have excelled themselves at Sail Melbourne, winning the 49er skiff class without looking back.

The duo from Belmont, some time back sailed an 18ft skiff together, and their successful partnership in the 49er does not surprise.

Boyd said today, ‘we seem to be putting our feet in the right places, and we’re very happy that we had a win here, we still have a lot of work to do, but we beat the world 6th ranked at this regatta, so that’s good for us.’

Nicholson/Boyd won from Pietro/Gianfranco Sibello (ITA) in comfort.  The latter pair finished with a 4-1 today to take 2nd overall.

This result gives Nicholson/Boyd the upper hand for the Olympics, Sail Melbourne being a selection event for Australians in this event.

Only light 5-knot breezes greet competitors on the two-lap windward return courses today.

Coming home 3rd overall, are the stars of the future, Ben and Marcus Tardrew (Vic), who finished their day with a 2-2 result.  Only 22 and 24 years old respectively, the brothers have come up from the 29er class and have quickly become very fast in the 49er.  Watch out for them.

Final Results: 

1st Nicholson/Boyd  23 points
2nd Sibello/Sibello  36.5
3rd  Tardrew/Tardrew  66 .

For full results and information go to the official website at:  www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Top Line Up for Australian Offshore Keelboat Championship Starting This Weekend

Australia’s oldest yacht club, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, will host the Australian Yachting Federation’s Australian Offshore and Keelboat Championship starting this weekend and finishing on January 23.

This regatta will help mark the 150th Jubilee celebrations of the Club, and up to 80 boats are likely to take part in a mixture of round the buoy races, and a round the bay passage race, starting Saturday January 18, on Port Phillip Bay at Williamstown.
 
One yacht will be crowned Australian Offshore Champion, and upwards of 70 yachts are expected to take part, making for a spectacular sight on the Bay over the next week.

The Customs House Hotel IRC Division will feature some of the hottest yachts in Australia at the moment, headed by recently crowned Rolex Sydney-Hobart race winner, Quest, the Nelson Marek 46 owned by Bob Steel from NSW.

She will be the boat to beat, having won the inaugural Sydney-Newcastle race in 2002, and the Hamilton Island under IMS in 2001, and IRC in 2002.

Other prominent yachts include South Australian entry Secret Mens Business (Geoff Boettcher), Victorian Sydney 38 entries, Lou Abrahams Another Challenge, which recently finished 3rd overall in the Sydney-Hobart and Bruce Taylor’s Chutzpah.

Sydney big boats, Ray Roberts’ Farr 52 Hollywood Boulevard and the Stan Zamanek/Julie Hodder/Peter Sorenson/Mark Gray owned Volvo 60, Magnavox 2UE will be worth watching.

The strength of many competitors will depend to some extent on the weather conditions during the series.

The 2002 IRC defending champion, Loki, a Swan 48 owned by Sydneysider Stephen Ainsworth, will be looking for heavy ‘Swan’ weather, she is a proven heavy weather performer.

The 96-year-old 'antique' yacht, Eun-Na-Mara, Nick Chapman's Fife-designed classic
metre-boat from Melbourne's Royal Brighton YC will perform strongly in flat water
This classic 50 footer won the 2001 IRC titles in a major upset at Hamilton Island in 2001.

Robert Hick’s Hick 31 Toecutter, well placed in the 2002 Nationals, showed recently in the Hobart race, that in light conditions she can surf through her much larger rivals on the
runs and will be hard to beat.

Cadibarra,  Nigel Jones M4 from Victoria is quick in most conditions,  as is Ninety Seven, a Farr 47 recently purchased by Melbournite, Chris Dare.  A known performer, she  took line honours in the gale swept 1993 Sydney-Hobart race, and continues to race successfully.
 
In this strong fleet there are many other boats that could win the title. 

Ticket of Leave, a Beneteau 40.7 skippered by Kevin Wood, Commodore of Sandringham Yacht Club, has been bridesmaid in the 2002 Adelaide titles, in the 2002 Hogs Breath series and the 2002 Hahn Premium titles a week later to Quest.   Wood is determined that a win is on the way at this regatta, having placed better than most of his rivals at other regattas.

Locally, Terry Oakley’s Clubman, a Super Clubman 30 will take on Godzilla, a Robert Hick 9m owned by Peter Henkel and Laurelle, a Jutson Austral Super 30 owned by Ray Borrett.

A strong showing is also expected for the Stormy Australia Adams10 Division, including  Victorian entries, Graeme Paul’s Adams Den, Norm Edwards’ Hullabaloo and Ashley Stevens’ Rage.

Previously staged at Hamilton Island and Adelaide, this third running of the event will see trophies awarded for both IRC and IMS divisions.  In addition, trophies will be presented for AMS, PHS and JOG divisions, and Adams 10.
 
The Club has recently completed extensions and now boasts a dining room, with out-door undercover and lawn dining. With a travel lift, hardstand with two cranes and a well-protected marina, it is well placed to cater to visiting boats. The yard provides a vast range of marine services, with a chandlery close by. 
 
Williamstown is the home of the RYCV, and is a historic seaport just 20 minutes from the CBD, enjoying tremendous shopping, dining, watering holes, and cafes serving some of the world’s finest coffee.  Williamstown and the City and surrounds also offer great sight seeing.

An enthusiastic Commodore, Colin Johnson commented, ‘January is a fabulous time to visit Melbourne, the weather is glorious, and sailing conditions are excellent. We thank the AYF for giving us the chance to run this event.  It will be great to have all of these boats in fierce competition, then return after a hard day on the water to enjoy our club, and help us celebrate our 150th birthday.’

The Australian Offshore Keelboat Championship is supported by:  Austock, Marine Safety Victoria and Sail Melbourne.
 

Anti-Doping - New List Of Banned Substances Effective As Of 1 January 2003

As of the 1st January 2003 the new lists of banned substances and methods became effective.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) published the new list of banned substances and methods which will help guide doping control within the world of sports from 1st January 2003 to 31st December 2003.

ISAF will be updating its Anti-Doping Code (ISAF Regulation 21) to reflect these changes. All athletes competing in sailing are required to abide by this ISAF regulation.

All interested parties are advised to refer to the Anti-Doping information on the ISAF website or to contact Katie Culbert at the AYF if you have any questions about this matter.

Also the Australian Sports Drug Agency's (ASDA) Drugs in Sport Hotline has changed it's hours of operation. The Hotline is now open from 9.00am to 5.00pm (AEST) from Monday to Friday only. The Hotline number is - 1800 020 506. At all other times athletes are encouraged to check the ASDA website for the information they require - http://www.asda.org.au

Other Links
	New List of Banned Substances and Methods
	IOC Website
	WADA Website

MEDIA ALERT - Naturalisation Ceremony

Victor Kovalenko

Where: Sandringham Yacht Club, Melbourne Victoria
When: Friday 17th January 2003
Time: 10am

The Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Gary Hardgrave, will welcome Victor Kovalenko, the Australian Yachting Federation (AYF) and Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Head Coach (sailing), into the Australian family by conferring citizenship on him in Melbourne on the 17th January.

Mr Kovalenko, known internationally as the ‘Medal Maker’ because of his continued coaching successes, coached the Australian 470’s Sailing Team to two gold medals at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Mr Kovalenko will become an Australian citizen in front of representatives of the Australian sailing community, friends and family at the Sandringham Yacht Club with the ceremony commencing at 10am.

Victor first arrived to Australia in October 1997 from the Ukraine to work with the Australian Yachting Federation in the role of National Coach for the 470 Men’s and Women’s Olympic classes.

Victor’s work with the athletes in these classes led to extraordinary results in 1999 and 2000, with Australia winning Gold in both 470 events at the 2000 Olympic Games.

Kovalenko was named AYF National Head Coach and AIS Sailing Program Head Coach in November 2000 and in reflection on his decision to become an Australian citizen said, “I love Australia very much, there is a great sense of freedom and I love the spirit of the people.

“For me the people are the real Australia, they inspire me to be Australian and work for my Australian team – friendly, fantastic and amazing people”.

Media are welcome to attend.

Further information can be obtained from Graeme Roberts-Thomson on 0413 352 511 or Simone Green.

Multi-Hulls Flying in Cape to Rio Race

The first report after the second start of the SAP Cape to Rio race in Cape Town yesterday saw both multi-hulls flying in good winds.  Swedish trimaran Nicator covered 378 miles during the last 18 hours at an average of 15,7 knots and the Brazilian catamaran Adrenalina Pura did 296 miles averaging 12.31 knots.

Navigator Magnus Woxen reported great sailing conditions by midday on Sunday.  “There is a nice breeze and flat seas, so we’re currently doing approximately nineteen knots.  It is nice and sunny and everybody is feeling great,” said Woxen, who suffered from serious cramps and muscle spasms before the start.

Commenting on the action-packed start in Table Bay, Woxen said that it was very crowded.  “Most people don’t realise that Nicator is quite difficult to maneuver and it was a bit tense to get out of the crowded bay.  But once we passed Robben Island, it was fine.”

Mono-hull line honours contender Morning Glory also showed good progress and managed to cover 278 miles since the start.  It was, however, Australian skipper Bill Rawson, who overcame his pre-start turmoil to lead the IRC fleet on handicap.  His 65-foot yacht Helsal II fell off the crane when it was launched and the mast broke in two places.  A new mast was built in double quick time and they were on the starting line with the rest of the fleet yesterday.

The Norwegian entry Barracuda is currently second on handicap followed by Scorpio. Skipper John Dixon only bought the yacht two weeks before the start and is sailing with his wife Jennifer, daughter Eleanor and son Jonathan.

Now that the bigger boats are at sea, the first starters have slid down the results sheet but Suidoos 2 continues her good progress by doing 124 miles during the last 24 hours in an area of the Atlantic where the winds are traditionally light. Both Suidoos 2 and Konica/Mallinicks Indaba have crossed the Greenwich Meridian.

For daily updates and interactive progress charts, visit the official race website on www.capetorio.org.

Chaotic Start for Second Fleet of Cape to Rio Race

Table Bay was awash with hundreds of water vessels to see off the twenty-one entrants taking part in the second start of SAP Cape to Rio 2003 race.  The boats set off at 15h00 and struggled for a while in nearly windless conditions off the Granger Bay break waters.

Although the German maxi Morning Glory and the Swedish trimaran Nicator are competing in two different categories and under two separate handicap systems, all eyes were on them at the start.  But it was the dark horse Brazilian catamaran Adrenalina Pura who took the honours around the first buoy.  Another German entry Diel, skippered by Bernard Diebold and with a crew of six pupils from Reddam House were over the line in second place followed by Morning Glory, who had to tack towards the second mark.  There were several close encounters as spectator craft made negotiation of the buoys fairly difficult.

The trimaran, skippered by Klabbe Nylöf veered off after the first buoy towards Granger Bay where she picked up fresh breeze and quickly disappeared towards the horizon.  Morning Glory followed on a similar course and quickly showed why she is considered favourite for the record chase in the mono-hull category.  Within minutes she had reach speeds of over nine knots and was lost from sight.

The Madiba Racing Team suffered an early setback when they broke their pole minutes after the start.  Her support yacht from the Ocean Sailing Academy swopped a pole with her while in the bay and send the Dutch fundraising campaign on its way.

The blessing of the fleet took place at 11h30 before Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Valli Moosa handed over a scroll containing a report back on the 2002 World Summit.  Skipper Derek Shuttleworth of the yacht inspia!2041 will be presenting the scroll to the Brazilian Minister of Environment Mrs Maria Silva on their arrival in the Carnival City.

The first fleet are now more than a 1000 miles from Cape Town with Gawie Fagan still leading his class and the Port Elizabeth yacht Inyoni in first place in Class C.

Belmont Skiffs Rule the Waves

16ft Skiffs from the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club have proven the high standard of racing at their club by taking 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place at the Australian 16ft Championship conducted by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron on Moreton Bay.

Newly launched skiff Luxury Yacht Cruises won the championship in fine style with three heat wins, a second and two thirds.  The crew of Greg Searant, Steve Newell and Brett Davis secured the series with 14.4 points, clearly ahead of their nearest rival and without having to sail the last race.

Defending champions Skilled Engineering took out second place behind Luxury Yacht Cruises, finishing their series on 31 points.  The skilled crew of John Boyd, Phil Harmer and Mick Jackson were unable to sail the last race due to damage sustained to their boat the pervious day, but were still able to hold onto their second place.

Rounding out the Belmont Trifecta was Chris’ Quality Meats, sailed by Danny Anderson, Marc Willis and Murray Atkins finishing on 42 points.  Anderson won a previous Australian Championship back in 1997 when the series was last conducted on Moreton Bay, QLD.

In a series marred by DNS’ (Did not start) and DNF’s (Did not finish) due to broken gear it was very much a case of survival of the fittest for both boats and crews.  The short sharp chop created by the shallow waters of Morton Bay and by the winds, often up to 25-28 knots, made racing difficult for the skiffs.  Broken spinnaker poles and busted masts were the most common ailment as boats were easily cart wheeling in the waves on the downwind legs.  Such gear breakages put paid to many top competitors series including Tooheys Extra Dry skippered by Scott Ellis and Aristocrat skippered by Ross Thomson both from the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club and to Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club’s Savage Bee sailed by Bruce Savage.

EL Ryan Electrical skippered by Chris Ryan from the Drummoyne Sailing Club won the handicap point score, with Data #3 in second and Danny Anderson and his crew on Chris’ Quality Meats again taking third.

NSW 16ft Skiffs will next meet at Drummoyne in Sydney for Heat 5 of the State Championship series.

Race For Rio Records is Onress

The tension is mounting on the eve of the start of the second fleet of the SAP Cape to Rio race on Saturday, 11 January 2003. The classic ocean crossing between arguably two of the world’s most spectacular cities has attracted thirty-three entries, including twelve international entries from Brazil, Germany, England, Australia, Holland, Norway and Denmark. 

The German entry Morning Glory is the top contender for a new mono-hull crossing record in this year’s race.  The American maxi Zephyrus IV set the current record of 12 days 16 hours 49 minutes and 41 seconds in the 2000 race to win both line and handicap honours. 

Dr Hasso Plattner’s Morning Glory also looks all set for a serious attempt to lift the South Atlantic trophy, the coveted award for winning handicap honours in the IRC (International Racing Certificate) mono-hull class.  Plattner is no stranger to this award as he already won the handicap honours on his first Morning Glory, a R/P 50 in 1993 by finishing twenty-five hours under his handicap.  The second time in 1996, he sailed the R/P ILC maxi Fancourt Morning Glory to line honours in 14 days 14 hours 52 minutes and 41 seconds and set an elapsed time record.

Morning Glory has been optimised for the down-wind conditions of this trans-Atlantic crossing and at a boat length of 24.4 metres she is slightly longer than Zephyrus and can therefore break this record if the weather conditions are favourable.

With the entries of the new racing multi-hulls, the Swedish trimaran Nicator and the Brazilian catamaran Adrenalina Pura, the record for line honours will now also be contested in a separate multi-hull category.  These two multi-hulls will be racing under the CRRS (Cape to Rio Rating System) handicap and are sure to shatter the line honours record in the multi-hull category.

The current multi-hull crossing record was set ten years ago during the 1993 race when the Mayotte 465 Sea Rose, skippered by Chris King, completed the race in 18 days 7 hours and 24 minutes.  In the 2000 race, the St Francis 44 Galileo, skippered by Duncan Lethbridge won both line and handicap honours by finishing in twenty-two days.

The second fleet will leave Table Bay during a spectacular send-off at 15h00 on Saturday.  A flotilla of water vessels will take to the water to wave out the competitors.  A brisk southeasterly is being forecast for tomorrow afternoon and is expected to set the scene for a stunning spinnaker start.

Vantage points to watch all the action are Signal Hill, the V&A breakwaters and the Mouille Point promenade.  For daily race updates and interactive progress charts, visit the official race website on www.capetorio.org.

The first fleet is making steady progress with Gawie Fagan’s Suidoos 2 still leading on handicap.  Konica/Mallinicks Indaba, skippered by John Levin, has moved up into second position after Julie III had a bad day and only managed to cover 78 miles.

In Class C, the small Miura Inyoni from Port Elizabeth has taken the lead with Nauty 40’s in second position.

Notice To Competitors - Crew Weight Limits in Olympic Nomination Regattas

10th January 2003

NOTICE TO COMPETITORS

OLYMPIC NOMINATION REGATTAS

Where a Crew weight limit is to be imposed in an Event for competition in the 2004 Olympic Games, points awarded to the helmsperson from a Nomination Regatta will only accrue towards their Nomination Points score if the weight of the Crew during the Nomination Regatta is in accordance with that limit.

Phil Jones
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Yachting Federation

Other Links
	Why not check out the AYF's Olympic Sailing Page

Australian Youth Champions Declared

The 2003 Australian Youth Champions were announced last night, following a highly competitive regatta, which brought together the cream of Australia’s youth sailors to compete in this prestigious event.

The final day of racing in the Australian Youth Championship was conducted in perfect conditions, with a light sea-breeze coming in early and building to about 12 knots for most of the day. Three races were conducted, with the first starting shortly after 10am. The Race Committee aimed to finish the racing early, holding two short races in the morning and extending the course for a longer race in the afternoon.

The 29ers found it a struggle to sail downwind in the light airs, with female crew of Jacqui Bonnitcha and Sarah Clark revelling in the light conditions and using their weight advantage to beat the boys in all three races.

The 420 fleets were again dominated by last year’s ISAF Youth Worlds representatives, Elise Rechichi and Rayshele Martin making a clean sweep in the girls fleet, with Nathan Outteridge and Ayden Menzies winning all races in the boys fleet.

Richard Ironmonger, previously leading the Laser Boys fleet sailed his two drops in the morning races, but came through at the end to claim another first place to remain at the top of the scoreboard. Simon Morgan and Ian Quartly also sailed well in the Laser fleet, each winning a heat today.

Krystal Weir dominated the Laser Radial fleet, with Samantha Chidgey close astern, and Claire Hunting hot on their heels. Krystal also represented Australia at the previous ISAF Youth World Championship.

The Overall regatta winners were presented their trophies during a three course meal at the Adelaide Sailing Club, with AYF Board Member Wally Rantanen, Australian Major Events’ Event Development Manager John McDonald, and Adelaide Sailing Club Commodore Hubert Tucker presenting the trophies to the various divisions.

The 29ers were awarded trophies for the first Male, first Female and first Mixed crews, with a perpetual trophy for the overall winner. First Male and Overall was awarded to Tom Clout and Sam Newton from NSW, with Jacqui Bonnitcha and Sarah Clark taking out first Female crew, and Emily Hookings and Peter Dunk being awarded for being the first placed Mixed crew.

NSW Sailboarder Cory Plant was awarded for his efforts of sailing the regatta, taking the trophy for the Sailboard Boys division.

Single Handed Boys was awarded to Richard Ironmonger from Victoria, with Tim Castles and Simon Morgan placing second and third respectively. The Single Handed Girls trophy was awarded to Krystal Weir from Victoria for the second year in a row, with Samantha Boyd presented with second place, and Sarnia Upham third.

The Double Handed Boys was again won by Nathan Outteridge and Ayden Menzies from NSW, followed by Tom England and Jon Newman second, with Tom Barker and Andrew Patrick third. The Girls division was awarded to Elise Rechichi and Rayshele Martin from WA, second place going to Anna Patterson and Emma Poulsen.

With this event being one of the nomination regattas for selecting the team to represent Australia at the 2003 ISAF Youth World Championship, most of last year’s contenders appear to be in pole position to represent Australia for a second time.

During the selection process, each classes’ National Championships are also taken into account. The Laser Nationals held last week will be one of the deciding factors in selecting the representatives for the Boys and Girls Single Handed event. The 420 Nationals being held next week will help determine who will sail in the Boys and Girls Double Handed event, whilst the Mistral Nationals at the end of the month will be the deciding factor for the Boys Sailboard class – in which there was only one entry to this regatta.
For full results and photos of the event go to: www.yachting.org.au

Nomination for 2003 ISAF World Championships, Cadiz

ISAF recently announced the method of entry for the 2003 ISAF World Championships requiring each MNA to nominate the athletes to compete. This is a significant change to previous World Championships where Class Associations determined who was eligible to enter, and in some cases how many from each country.

The Australian Yachting Federation Board of Directors has approved the following:

"For those classes that will use the 2003 ISAF World Championships as an Olympic Nomination Regatta, the method of determining the athletes to compete is covered in the 2004 Australian Olympic Team – AYF Nomination Criteria", which was released in December.

The Star and Laser classes are the exceptions, as the 2003 ISAF World Championships do not form part of their respective Nomination Regattas for nomination to the 2004 Australian Olympic Team.

For the Star Class the AYF Board approved the following:

"Entries to the 2003 ISAF World Championship in the Star class will be made or endorsed by the AYF Board based on the overall placing of the Helmsperson in the Nomination pointscore on the 1st August 2003. The Nomination Pointscore to be used is as described in the 2004 Australian Olympic Team – AYF Nomination Criteria".

For the Laser class the AYF Board approved the following:

"Entries to the 2003 ISAF World Championship in the Laser class will be made or endorsed by the AYF Board based on the overall placing of the Helmsperson in the Nomination pointscore on the 1st August 2003. The Nomination Pointscore to be used is as described in the 2004 Australian Olympic Team – AYF Nomination Criteria".

Any questions concerning the above should be directed in writing to Susan Thompson, AYF High Performance Manager.

Australian Skandia Wild Thing demolishes Bass Strait record

Wind gods challenge the 18 Footers on Lewmar Day during the JJ Giltinan Trophy

Winds reaching 28knots plus from the NE managed to reduce the 28 competitors in the JJ Giltinan International Trophy to 14 finishers after a day full of spills and damage to the fleet.

As boats tried to launch off the beach into the NE breeze many ended up finding themselves becoming entangled in the moorings in Double Bay while others had to try and not wipe out on the Sydney Ferries that were dropping off passengers.

Many of the boats had to retire with damage to sails and mainsail tracks after getting across the start line.  One skipper was taken off the water by Sydney water police after a spill that saw the crew end up on top of the skipper in a capsize.  The international crews racing in this regatta got to sample what a real Sydney Harbour N/Easter' can throw at sailors.

The winning crew from Aristocrat were greeted on the beach with a message for crewman Dave Gibson to get to the hospital as his wife is having their first baby so Dave will most likely have a smile for more reasons than one tomorrow.  In a tight race to the finish, Aristocrat skippered by Gary Phillips and crewed by Dave Gibson and Michael Shane, held off Rob Greenhalgh and crew Dan Johnson and Peter Greenhalgh on RMW Marine to win by .1 of a second and Tony Hannan and crew Cameron McDonald and Greg Windust, on Total Recall finished third 2 1/2 seconds later.  Omega Smeg skippered by Trevor Barnabas and crew Trent Barnabas and Matt Felton, was fourth by another 2 seconds which made for a very busy finish line as a result of some very tight racing in very challenging conditions.

Racing in the JJ Giltinan will continue tomorrow in the Fisher and Paykel Day with the spectator ferry again going out to follow the action from the fleet.  For more information please check the website at www.18footers.com.au

Overall Point-score after Day 3

1 RMW Marine(UK)             Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson, Peter Greehalgh            16

2 Omega Smeg(AUS)         Trevor Barnabas, Matt Felton, Trent Barnabas                22

3 Total Recall(AUS)            Tony Hannan, Cameron McDonald, Greg Windust          23.7

4 Aristocrat(AUS)                Gary Phillips, Dave Gibson, Michael Shane                    26

5 Express Post(AUS)           Hugh Stodart, Niall Kinch, Andrew Hay                           29

6 Yandoo(AUS)                   John Winning, Daniel Phillips, John Winning                   31

7 GE/US Challenge(USA)    Howie Hamlin, Mike Martin, Rod Howell                         34.7

8 Computer Associates(AUS)Anthony Young, Geoff Beauchop, Tim Webster             40.4

9 Asko Appliances(AUS)       David Lumb, Greg O’Shea, Andrew Divola                     47

10 Terry Hogan Prestige Cars(AUS)Chris Dixon, Greg Dixon, Dave Smith                  58

11 Ovington Boats(UK)           Dave Ovington, Martin Goodlad, Roy Goodlad               60

12 Casio Seapathfinder(AUS)Michael Coxon, Aaron Links, Phil Hebden                     61.7

13 LinkAssociates.com(UK)    Tim Penfold, Andrew James, Will Penfold                      65

14 Flawless(ITA)                     Pablo Soldano, Gabriele Bruni, Mauro Galante              66

15 Churchill’s Sports Bar(AUS)Ben Austin, Shane Guarana, Tim Austin                      70

16 Fisher and Paykel(AUS)      Grant Rollerson, Paul Williams, John McKenna            72.7

17 RADII(UK)                             Andy Richards, Andy Fairley, Dave Richards               75

18 Ronstan(UK)                         Geoff Carveth, Steve McLean, Jeremy Reed                 79

19 Avaya(AUS)                         Peter Morrison, Matthew Brown, Aaron Smith               82

20 Rag and Famish Hotel  (AUS)Warwick Rooklyn, Paul Atkins, Chris Cleary               85

20 Ernst & Young(UK)               Jarrod Simpson, Simon Nearn, Harvey Hillary                85

22 Computacenter(UK)             Neal Fitzgerald, Andy Jefferies, Paul Hargreaves            86

23 Sunday Telegraph(RSA)      Clynton Wade-Lehman, Cameron McDonald,Ben                                                                          Stephens                                                                   87

23 New Zealand(NZ)                 Chris Skinner, Alex Vallings, James Fleet                    87

24 Rosemount Estate(AUS)        Micah Lane, Peter Harris, Chris Pomfret                      94

25 Base 1(UK)                            Rob Dulson, Paul Constable, Alec McKinlay                99

25 Hermes(UK)                          Ed Browne, Mark Tait, Anthony Esse                           99

26 Team Canada(CAN)             Fred Eaton, Rob Paterson, Jason Lemieux                   102

Ichi Ban “No 1” in Sailing South Race Week

The Sydney yacht Ichi Ban has won the grand prix IRC Division of Sailing  South Race Week 2003 with a last race display of power sailing in a 25 knot south-easterly seabreeze on a choppy Derwent River in Hobart today.

Skippered by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia director Matt Allen,  Ichi Ban (which means No 1 in Japanese) recovered from a race six seventh place to win the final race and the series by only three points from Hobart yacht B52, skippered by Hughie Lewis.  

Ichi Ban finished with 526 points,  B52 with 523 points with third place overall going  to the Sydney 38, Obsession,  skippered by defending  Sailing South Race Week IRC champion,  David Kellett,  Vice President of the International Sailing Federation,  with 510 points.

Ichi Ban’s win was also a second successive Sailing South Race Week victory for prominent Tasmanian-born yachtsman Roger Hickman,  Rear Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia,  who sailed as Ichi Ban’s tactician.

Hickman won the IMS division of Sailing South last year as skipper of Bumblebee 5.

Ichi Ban is a newly launched Farr 52 One Design while B52 is the recycled Sydney 41 which owner Hughie Lewis rebuilt after the yacht, then owned by Queenslander Wayne Millar,  was declared a write-up after being rolled in the 1998 Sydney Hobart Race.

Today’s two final races were sailed in totally opposite conditions.   The morning race six began in a light northerly breeze that died away to almost no wind before the south-easterly seabreeze came sweeping up the river,  quickly reaching 15-20 knots.

Race seven was sailed in a brisk 25 knot sou’easter,  gusting at times to 30 knots,  with a short steep sea being kicked up by the wind against tide in the river.

There was a short drama in race six when the windward outrigger wing of the converted Diamond class yacht,  Dictator,  collapsed, throwing all five crew members into the water.

The helmsman hung on to tiller and got back on board,  but  the yacht sailed on, leaving the other four in the water.

A small dinghy picked them up as a following yacht,  T 42 Solandra, skippered by Craig Escott, stood by to render assistance.  

The PHS division went to one of the oldest boats in the fleet,  Peter Geeves’ Lock on Wood, a Dubois half tonner, clinching victory with its second win of the series in the final race.

Lock on Wood finished with 600 points,  beating Flyin’ Scud (Adam Goode) on 588 points,  third overall going to Tequila Slamma (John Radonic) on 585 points.

The Sportsboat Division 1 provided the closest racing of Sailing South Race Week,  with two third places today giving the series to the Elliott 780, Another Girl Another Planet,  skippered by David Shepherd from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.

Another Girl Another Planet finished with 544 points to beat the Elliott 7,  Shoot the Dog (Richard Fisher) on 543 points,  third place going to T 42, one of the Elliott 5.9s recently bought by the RYCT for a new youth training program.   T 42, chartered for the series by  Fraser Read and two fellow Sharpie sailors,  won two of the seven races.

Alibi II, a Sayer 25,  skippered by Rod Williams,  won the Sportsboat division 2,  clinching victory with a second in the final race to finish on 540 points, with second place going to Mischief (Adrian West) on 533 points,  third to Madman’s Woodyard (Adrian Peterson) on 520 points.

The RYCT this year added a Cruiser Class to Sailing South Race Week, attracting 14 boats with keen competition in each of the five races. 

Victory went to Fat Albert,  a little Holland 25, skippered by Ben Latham,  which sailed exceptionally well throughout the series to finish with 371 points, beating Innovator (Ian Smith) on 362 points,  and Binalong (Ernest Target) on 361 points.

Further information: Peter Campbell – 0419 385 028

Countback Finish To First Olympic Nomination Regatta

Countback Finish To First Olympic Nomination Regatta

The regatta was the Australian Laser Championships held at the Largs Bay Sailing Club in South Australia. Queensland’s Brendan Casey (AIS) and Olympic bronze medallist from Sydney, Michael Blackburn (NSWIS) finished the 12 races on equal points, but Casey was awarded 3rd place on a countback. This meant Casey was the first placed Australian and takes a lead in the race for Olympic Nomination.

More importantly Casey gained an important psychological advantage after the days events. In the first race of the day Casey received his second yellow flag of the regatta and withdrew from racing to ensure he was able to compete in the final race of the day. Going into the final race Casey knew he had to beat Blackburn and finish 1st or 2nd in the race to get over the Olympic medallist on the overall results. At the first mark of the final race Casey went with the rest of the fleet, and Blackburn went in the opposite direction hoping to gain an advantage. Unfortunately the risk did not pay off and Blackburn finished well back in the final race, Casey finished 2nd in the race and equal on points overall with Blackburn.

The regatta was won by Finland’s Roope Suomalainen 24 points, with Austria’s Andreas Geritzer in 2nd place with 25 points. In 3rd place was Brendan Casey (AIS) on 27 points, with Michael Blackburn (NSWIS) 4th on 27 points and Norway’s Peer Moberg 5th on 49 points. The racing was extremely tight, with the top four places separated by only 3 points.

Full results can be found on the regatta website.

The Laser sailors now head to Sandringham Yacht Club in Melbourne where they will contest the Sail Melbourne International Regatta. It is the only ISAF Grade 1 event in Australia and a huge turn out is expected across the fleets. For all other Olympic classes, Sail Melbourne will be the first Olympic Nomination Regatta. The event is not a Nomination Regatta for the Laser class.

Follow all the action from warm-up regattas and the main event (which starts on Saturday 11th January) on the Sail Melbourne website.

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JJ Giltinan 18 Foot Skiff International Trophy off to a smiling start

Grundig wins despite late start and “wipe-out” in Storm Bay

Downwind flyer Grundig proved herself an outstanding all-round racing yacht today when she took the double of line and IRC handicap honours in race three of Sailing South Race Week,  a 40 nautical mile race from Hobart to the Isle of Caves in Storm Bay and return.

Owner/skipper Sean Langman described the winds today as “fresh to frightening”,  with a “wipe-out” by the 66-footer as the crew gybed the boat near Betsey Island on the way to the Isle of Caves in Storm Bay. 

“We laid her on her side for a brief period which probably cut our lead over the fleet by half a mile before we got her going again,” Langman said back at the RYCT.  “It’s only the third time we have had a wipe-out with this boat.

Grundig missed the start by about five minutes,  having to gybe and go astern of a blanket of boats coming in towards the pin end of the line on starboard tack when the fresh breeze suddenly eased. 

“As it was,  it turned out to be to our benefit;  we could see where the best breeze was as we came from astern and managed to overtake Ichi Ban before the Garrow,” he added.

Grundig won today’s race from Hobart yacht B52, skippered by Hughie Lewis,  third going to Ichi Ban (Matt Allen) which “parked” for 45 minutes off Taroona,  only four miles from the finish.

However, Ichi Ban still leads IRC division of the seven race series on 264 points,  with B52 on 258 points and Grundig third on 256 points. 

In the PHS division,  first place on corrected time today went to Redback (David O’Neill) from Quality Equipment (Alf Doedens) and the veteran sloop Lock on Wood (Peter Geeves) which leads the PHS pointscore on 299 points from Patrick (Brian Furmage) on 297 points and Silver Mist (Bruce Palmer) on 293 points.

In the Sports Boats Division 1,  Muir Race (Matthew Johnston) won today’s race to head the pointscore with 272 points, just ahead of Another Girl Another Planet (David Shepherd) and ABN Ambro Morgans (Bruce Calvert) both on 271 points.

In the Cruiser Division,  Alibi II (Rod Williams) leads with 271 points after scoring two wins and a second,  with Mischief (Adrian West) on 269 points and Madman’s Woodyard (Adrian Petersen) third on 262 points.

‘Bangers’ Banishes Opposition at B14 Australian Championship

Following on from his win at the Victorian B14 Championship, Guy ‘Bangers’ Bancroft and his 15 year-old son, Rhys, sailing Bugger the Bone, have outsailed their counterparts to take out the B14 National Championship sailed out of McCrae Y.C. in Victoria over the past week.

The Championship, which finished last night, boasted a field of 34 competitors, 28 of those eligible for the Championship, the remaining six here from the United Kingdom to contest the World Championship hosted by McCrae YC and starting on Port Phillip Bay from January 5-11.

Bancroft, current Commodore of McCrae YC, and a former I14 sailor, and his son, paired up in the double-handed asymmetrical kited B14 skiff for the first time in May last year, and appear to be unstoppable in their quest for the World Title.

They will have to work hard to beat the U.K. teams, including that of hot favourites, Tim Fells/Dave Cunningham sailing NA4, who finished the Championships two points ahead of the Bancroft combination, but were ineligible for the title.

The National’s were sailed in light northerly breezes, no sign of the normally predominant south-westers in sight. However, Bancroft said they could handle the heavier winds expected for the Worlds.

Speaking of his win, Bancroft said, ‘we bought the boat second-hand, and what helps is sailing on home waters, we get plenty of support from our Club, it’s terrific. We expected to finish in a top-five spot, but this is just great. Rhys is a very mature sailor for his age, and gives me a lot of input on the race track’

Rhys, who has progressed from a Flying Ant commented, ‘this is pretty special, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but it’s good fun sailing with Dad, I’ve really learned a lot, and the B14 is a challenge to sail.’

Asked to about the name of his boat, Bancroft explained, ‘my boats have always had the word ‘Bone’ in them, and when I bought this boat it was called ‘Bugger’, and Mum said it was bad luck to change a boat’s name, so I came up with Bugger the Bone, and it has created a bit of interest in the class.’

On hand to help the pair celebrate were Bancroft’s parents – his father Frank, a Life Member at McCrae, and former Commodore – the first father/son combination to hold this role at the Club.

Coming home 2^nd in the Championship was the ever improving female pairing from Woollahra S.C. in Sydney of Abby Parkes/Sophie Hunt, sailing Hunt Leather, with fellow club members, Richie Reynolds/Lissa McMillan sailing The Nude, in 3^rd place.

The pairs reversed their finish places of the NSW Championship, held late last year, and say they are good mates who enjoy the ‘friendly rivalry.’

Parkes and Hunt, who met sailing in an all girl crew in the Sydney-Hobart race, are starting to make an impact in the B14, their results getting progressively better, while Lissa McMillan has only been sailing a short time, but says, ‘I really do love it, the camaraderie is fabulous in the B14’s, and it is a skiff class with a lot of female sailors who do really well against the blokes, we’d love to see a few more girls join us,’ she said.

While the United Kingdom may have had it all their own way in the past, results from these National’s show the Aussies have picked up the pace and may prove a big danger to the Poms at the Worlds.

Entries for the Worlds, numbering around 35, come from Victoria, NSW and Tasmania, with six U.K. competitors, including equal hot favourites, Tim Fells/Dave Cunningham and Jono Pank/ Shaun Barber.

Fells, arguably the most consistent B14 sailor, with a 2-1-2 record at the last three World championships, has teamed with Cunningham in an effort to regain the title he won in Sydney three years ago.

Pank, who steered his way to a 6^th place at the last World Titles in Italy in 2002, has paired with Barber, the current World title holding crew. Sailing NA25, they finished these Nationals in 8^th place, giving the Aussies more confidence.

Former National and NSW State champions, Paul Hansen/James Ellis, (Gosford SC), sailing Priority Powder Coating, finished the series in 5^th place, and are hoping for a windy World series – their preferred conditions.

1. Bugger the Bone Guy Bancroft/Rhys Bancroft McCrae YC VIC

2. Hunt Leather Abby Parkes/Sophie Hunt Woollahra S.C. NSW

3. The Nude Richie Reynolds/Lissa McMillan Woollahra S.C. NSW

4. Priority Powder Coating Paul Hansen/James Ellis Gosford SC NSW

5. Evil C Clive Watts/Anita Elstob Woollahra SC NSW

6. NA15 Peter Ray/Gareth Wells Gosford SC NSW

Sailing Administrator needed for Club in Lake Macquarie

The Belmont 16ft Sailing Club, on the shores of beautiful Lake Macquarie (NSW) is seeking an enthusiastic full-time sailing administrator to take over the management and coordination of the sailing activities at the Club.

The club conducts racing for juniors and seniors on Saturdays and Sundays, hosts a popular and expanding learn to sail program and is set to host numerous State and National Championships over the next few years including the NSW State Youth Championship and the Australian Laser Championship.

For further information on the position, please contact Jacqueline Ellis by e-mail or call on 02 4945 0888.

Big Guns Prepare for 2nd January Start

MEDIA RELEASE

Strathfield Pittwater and Coffs Harbour Offshore Series

2002-2003

 Monday 30th December 2002

Big Guns Prepare for 2nd January Start

Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race competitor Andrew Short was cooling his heels in Hobart this afternoon, having completed the "Hobart Race" aboard his Sydney 38 Andrew Short Marine at just after 10:00pm last night.

Produced by Andrew Palfrey

Media and Publicity - Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Offshore Series 2002-2003

All enquiries (including photos) contact Nicole Amos on 02 9997 1022.

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Breaking News - Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Race

New line honours favourite the 83 footer Travelex

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Sail Melbourne 2003 Kicks Off

For information, visit www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Skiffs go North for National Title