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Australian Team announced for 2006 FESPIC Games

Rachael Cox

Pamela Murray (TAS) and Chris Riordan (SA) will compete in the Access Liberty class, whilst Duncan MacGregor (QLD) and Rachael Cox (WA) will contest the International Access 2.3m class.

Since the age of seven, Pamela Murray has had a passion for sailing. Not even a motorbike accident in 1984 which left her as an above the knee amputee could stop her from sailing. She has twice been the National Women’s Champion (1999 and 2000) in the Access Dinghy 203 class, was the fastest female sailor in 2005 and 2006 at Victoria’s Metung Regatta, and competes annually at Sail Melbourne. The 47 year old is based out of the Port Dalrymple Yacht Club, Launceston Tasmania.

Chris Riordan (Cerebral Palsy) has been sailing competitively for the last 16 years and during that time has posted some outstanding wins. He is currently the Australian Champion in the Liberty division and in April this year won the Sailability SA State Championship in the Access Liberty class. Riordan posted his best international result at the 2005 IFDS World Championships in San Felice, Italy where he finished in 4th place, missing out on the bronze medal by only one point. He is currently a member of both the Adelaide and Port Adelaide Sailing Club.

The youngest member of the Australian team is 16-year-old school student, Duncan MacGregor, who took up sailing at the age of eight despite being confined to a wheelchair with Spina Bifida. He competed in the Queensland State Championships in 2004 and 2005,  won gold at the North Queensland Games in 2004, and last year was selected as a member of the North Queensland Schools Sailing Team. He is based out of Tinaroo Sailing Club in Queensland.

Rachael Cox (Incomplete Quadraplegic) learnt how to sail in Access Dinghies in 2001 and in her own words, “was instantly attracted to the feeling of being independent on the water”. From there, she moved onto the Sonar keelboat and raced at both club and state level. Cox won gold at the 2005 WA Access Dinghy Championships and 6th place at the 2006 National 2.4 Championships. Her greatest achievement to date is sailing single handed at the IFDS World Disabled Sailing Championships this year in WA (16th place). She is based out of and employed by Royal Perth Yacht Club.

Greg Omay is the Head Sailing Coach for the Australian Team at the FESPIC Games and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has been sailing for 46 years and coaching on a volunteer basis for the last eight years. Based in WA, Omay has been involved in many areas of Yachting WA ranging from the Junior Development Program, State Development Squad and the WA Institute of Sport High Performance Team. In 2006, he was the Head Coach of the Yachting Australia team at the IFDS World Championships in WA.

Omay commented “The FESPIC Games is a great opportunity for our sailors to experience competition at an international level. We aim for them to learn more about racing in big fleets, how to successfully compete in different venues and of course bring home a swag of medals for Australia”. He went onto say “Ultimately, we hope the Team members will develop into our next Paralympic Sailors”.

Phil Jones, CEO of Yachting Australia commented “the FESPIC Games is fully supported by Yachting Australia. We are delighted to be providing financial assistance to our athletes as well as administration and coaching support. We are confident the Team will achieve great results at the Games.”

The FESPIC Games was first held in Oita, Japan in 1975 for people with a disability in Asia and the South Pacific. The event started off with just under 1,000 competitors from 18 nations. Since that time, there have been eight FESPIC Games with Australia hosting the 1977 Games in Sydney. The most recent Games were held in Busan, Korea in 2002 which hosted over 3,000 competitors from 43 countries.

The sailing competition will be held at the Admiral Marina & Leisure Club, Port Dickson from 26th – 30th November, 2006. There will be 18 competitors in each division. Countries competing include; China, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, India and Hong Kong.

The FESPIC Torch Relay will pass through Sydney from 14th – 16th October on its 154 day journey around the world as a fundraiser for the Games.

For further information about the FESPIC Games, go to www.kl06fespicgames.com.my.

Nicky Souter aiming at 4th Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron is conducting the Championship with the eight teams from New South Wales, Victorian and Queensland clubs sailing in the Squadron’s Elliott 6 sports boats.

Today is for registration and practice for the ISAF Grade 3 event; tomorrow will see the first round-robin of match races followed by a second round-robin and the finals, with the series running through to Saturday.

Nicky Souter, representing Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, comes into the Championship fresh from a fine performance in the ISAF Nation’s Cup in which she and her crew reached the finals after topscoring in the lead-up round-robins.

Her strong opponent is likely to be fellow RPAYC member Katie Spithill, also just returned from a successful international competition which has seen her Team Acuity now ranked seventh in the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Rankings.  Katie and her crew are the first Australian women’s team ever to crack the single digits in world rankings.

Katie, who won the Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship in 2002, has set herself and her crew a tough racing tasking over the next week. 

Following the Women’s Championship she will take on 11 male skippers and crews in the Australian Match Racing Championship being conducted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia over the long weekend, with racing from Sunday, 1 October through to Wednesday, 4 October.

One other former Australian Women’s Match Racing Champion competing this week is Olympic sailor Nicky Bethwaite who won the title in 1998. 

Nicky is best known as an Yngling sailor, having represented Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.  She will be represented the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in this week’s Championship.

Representing Victoria’s Sandringham Yacht Club will be Claire Hunting while the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is combining with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia with RQ member  Anna Patterson sailing mainsheet for the CYCA’s Youth Sailing Academy’s Meghan Andrew.

Three other CYCA crews, skippered by Samantha Boyd, Lucinda Whitty and Simone Dean, will make up the eight teams.  The young women from the Youth Sailing Academy have been practising hard for the Championship, confident they can provide keen competition for their more experienced rivals.

Good sailing conditions have been forecast for the four days of competition on Sydney Harbour, with winds of 10-15 knots tomorrow and Thursday and 10-20 knots on Friday ahead of an overnight southerly change.

Consecutive match racing events test teams’ mettle

The action will begin this week when the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron hosts the Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship from 27 – 30 September.

One of the highly favoured teams lead by Pittwater sailor Katie Spithill is expected to be amongst the finalists on the deciding day, Saturday 30 September. She and her club mates will attend the trophy presentation that night at RSYS which will double as the teams welcome for the Wotif.com Australian Match Racing Championship starting the following day.

After four days of intense competition on Sydney Harbour, Spithill will face a fresh all male line up. However she will have had the benefit of solid training time on the Elliott 6’s, the class for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Wotif.com Championship.

In the latest ISAF Women’s Match Racing world rankings, Spithill and her Team Acuity have climbed another place to reach 7th. Spithill and team mates Stacey Jackson, Angela Farrell, Nina Curtis and Elizabeth Walsh have had a solid year so far with podium finishes at major events in the USA, Europe and New Zealand, maintaining their position within the world's top ten.

“With the Australian Women’s and the Wotif.com Australian Open coming up we are keen to try and climb further up the rankings,” Spithill said.

The Wotif.com Australian Match Racing Championship will begin in earnest on Sunday 1 October following a training day on Saturday 30 September.

With the release of the latest ISAF World Rankings last week, Torvar Mirsky from Royal Perth Yacht Club has catapulted up the ladder in stunning fashion, jumping from 77th to 47th. This makes him the highest ranked male skipper heading into the Wotif.com Championship with the host club’s Evan Walker next in 67th place.

Stuart Pollard (RSYS), Robert Gibbs (CYCA) and Michael Dunstan (RSYS), who are all helming their own boats for the Wotif.com Championship, make up the final three in ISAF’s top ten list of Australian match racing skippers.

Following the trophy presentation for the Wotif.com Championship, it will be early to bed for the CYCA’s Evan Walker and Robert Gibbs and their crew who will fly out first thing on the morning of 5 October for race one of the Australian Youth Match Racing Championship starting in Perth that day. Luckily they’ll have two extra hours up their sleeve to make it to the start line due to the time difference between Sydney and Perth.

It’s been a balancing act for Walker and Gibbs who in amongst their Elliott 6 training, have had to find the time to train with their bigger crew on a J24, the class they will be combining to race in Perth.

The Wotif.com Championship regatta format provides for two round robins followed by a semi and final round robin as well as the opportunity for places 4-10 to sail off for final placings. All in all 20+ races will be sailed on Sydney Harbour for all entrants, if the weather conditions allow, over the four days of racing from Saturday 1 October to Wednesday 4 October.

Spectators will find it much easier to follow their favourite teams during the Wotif.com Australian Match Racing Championship as each team will be allocated their own spinnaker colour, a first for a CYCA match racing event.

For a full list of teams competing in the Wotif.com Championship go to www.cyca.com.au under ‘Youth’ During the regatta, daily reports, photos by Andrea Francolini and results will be available from this site.

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	CYCA

Aussie’s at RS:X World Championships – Lake Garda, Italy

2006 RS:X World Championships

Australia is represented by Australian Sailing Team members Allison Shreeve (AIS/NSWIS) and Jessica Crisp (AIS/NSWIS) in the women's fleet, whilst Jonathan Bonnitcha the only Australian male at the regatta.

2006 has proved to be an outstanding year for 24 year old Sydneysider, Allison Shreeve. She won the Female Sailor of the Year at the Yachting Australia Awards, won the Formula Windsurfing World Championships in Korea and took the silver at Sail Melbourne earlier this year. Shreeve sights one of her main goals this year is to win the RS:X World Championships.

Jessica Crisp is one Australian sailor who is no stranger to the international circuit. She is a former Mistral World Champion, winning the title in 1984 as a 15-year-old and again in 1988, before she embarked on her professional windsurfing career. She took part in the windsurfing demonstration event at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 when just 15. She then went on to win the Professional Windsurfing Association's world title in 1993 and 1994. Crisp is currently living in New York and recently got back into competing after her sixth place at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Jonathon Bonnitcha won the 2005 Australian Mistral Championships and in 2006 has competed at Sail Melbourne as well as the RS:X National Championship in New Zealand.

Lake Garda is only 200ft above sea level. In comparison to the highest peak to the east Monte Baldo at 6000 plus feet. Typically the wind conditions vary from northerly, (Peller) in the morning, and the southerly (Ora) in the afternoon. The Talented field is stronger than ever, with multiple World Champions and Olympic medallists, ready to battle out for the chance to be the First RS:X World Champion, 2006. 

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	Event website

RSYS Hosts the 2006 Yachting Australia National Judge Seminar

The seminar, presented by Graeme Owens on behalf of Yachting Australia will provide attendees with valuable insight into the workings of high level protest committees and insight into the application of the Racing Rules of Sailing.

The National Judge Seminar is largely aimed towards any person who is currently, or wishes to be involved on Protest Committees, or the high level competitor of any class of boat who wishes to gain valuable appreciation of how the protest room works.

Presenter Graeme Owens is no beginner to the Racing Rules, Protests or even high level competition. The Western Australian resident has been an International Juror and Umpire for many years and has been involved in the America’s Cup, Olympic campaigns and has written many guides and handbooks relating to the Racing Rules.

Protesting is an essential part of the sport of sailing, and the task of deciding those protests is carried out by sailors for sailors. In all but a few circumstances those who serve on protest committees would not consider themselves to be an expert in the trade, yet they readily give their assistance when the need arises. Yachting Australia and Graeme Owens hope those who attend these seminars learn the skills to make their task easier. 

The presentation will cover the Judge’s role, rules knowledge and procedure of a protest. Topics such as what to do if a party doesn’t attend, how to handle video evidence, what are facts and conclusions, and what types of hearings take place are all discussed in detail. Importantly, Yachting Australia and ISAF philosophies will be shared with the audience giving guidance on how to handle the common problems of conflicting evidence or invalid protests.

The culture of protesting varies between clubs and classes and is not the sole domain of high profile events like the America’s Cup or a National Title. Even club level Sabot events can be hard fought affairs, with pride and success hanging in the balance pending the decision of a protest committee.

There is a perception that protesting is not a valued part of the sport. Famous classes such as the 12, 16 and 18 foot skiffs all hold a reputation for “sorting it out in the park” and not worrying about protesting. Recent comments from Manly 16ft Skiff Club Sailing Manager Brad Andrew confirmed this is pretty true for the 16’s but only at smaller events. Club level protests are usually resolved in the bar over a beer. But once it’s a State or National Title, there is a lot at stake so even these classes will use the protest room to its full degree. Sailors expect and respect a well considered and correct decision and the Protest Committee needs to be on the ball.

Those people attending this seminar will be better positioned to hold these protests confidently resulting in more satisfied sailors. There is the option to sit the National Judge’s exam for those pursuing Yachting Australia accreditation. Interested people wishing to find out more should contact Glen Stanaway (02) 8424 7400 at Yachting Australia. Applications to attend close on September 25th.

National Officiating Program Review Report

Following an extensive consultation process with Race Officials at State and National Level around the country, the preliminary National Officiating Program Review is now available to download.

The report is still under consideration by the Yachting Australia Board and this version is available for information purposes only.  Visit the Race Officials' news page to view the short report or full document. 

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	Race Officials' News Page

Day 4: Laser World Championships, Korea

With no racing over the weekend, Australian Sailing Team member Tom Slingsby remains at the head of the fleet on a perfect four points from four races. Michael Blackburn lies second overall, with 2005 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Champion Giles Scott (GBR) third.

At 0800 a ten knot northerly wind afloat looked promising. Before the race committee set the course the wind had backed to the north west but pressure remained at ten knots with a large westerly ground.

After the course was set to the new wind hopes were high until just before the start when the wind backed a further 25 degrees and the start was postponed. The course was re-set twice before the first fleet was finally started only to have the race abandoned as the wind dropped to three knots and backed to the west direction halfway down the first down wind leg.

With the second fleet unable to start a further two hour wait saw no improvement in conditions so the fleet was sent ashore to help move 130 boats from the beach as a precaution against a storm surge from the predicated close passing of typhoon ShanShan on Sunday afternoon.

A decision on Monday’s racing will be made at 1500, the latest time when all Lasers can be returned to the beach in time for racing to start on Monday when the fleets will be split into gold and silver groups.

The regatta concludes on 20th September.

Below are the top 3 results:
1. Tom Slingsby (AUS)
2. Michael Blackburn (AUS)
3. Giles Scott (GBR)

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	Event website

World Championship Funding Policy: Yachting Australia reaffirms on-going support to world class competitors

Glen Ashby (2nd) & Steve Brewin (3rd): 2005 A Class Worlds, France

The Yachting Australia Board will consider applications received from athletes who have finished in the top five (or 10% of the fleet, which ever is the greater) overall placing at the class World Championships from 1st April, 2006 through to 31st March, 2007.

The grants program covers a broad spectrum of classes including dinghies, keelboats, multihulls and windsurfers and is made possible by funding provided to Yachting Australia by the Australian Sports Commission.

The level of funding to be granted to each athlete will be dependant on the geographical zone in which the event was competed, the grade of event and the overall placing achieved. Recipients must be Silver or Youth members at the time of the event concerned.

Steve Brewin, 30 year old A Class Catamaran sailor from Sydney, is one athlete who has benefited from the grant three times. Steve commented “I started sailing 20 years ago with my father and it has become my passion. I raced in the 2001, 2003 and 2005 A Class Worlds and without the funding I would have been stretching it to compete overseas”.

Steve continued on to say “The grant went most of the way to paying for my airfare which I really appreciated. It can mean the difference between affording to compete overseas or missing out altogether”.

Andrew Plympton, Yachting Australia President said “The main aim of the grants is to provide ongoing financial support to our world class competitors. This will ensure our athletes have the opportunity to focus on achieving great results rather than worry about the costs associated with competing at a world class level”.

He went on to say “It’s important to note the applications will be reviewed by the Yachting Australia Board as soon as possible after the closing date of 7th May, 2007. If successful, the grant will be paid retrospectively, based on the athlete’s previous World Championship campaign”.

Yachting Australia’s Sport Services Manager, Glen Stanaway commented “The funding is in addition to the administration and coaching services Yachting Australia already offers its members. We’re also committed to supporting National Teams in Match and Team Racing, Australian Championships and events, as well as the implementation of the National Youth Development Policy”.

The funding is not applicable to Olympic or Paralympic classes, ISAF Youth World’s or World Championships where Australian athletes already receive funding or coaching support from Yachting Australia.

The updated International & Recognised Classes Funding Policy and application form are available. Click here.

Yachting Australia seeks new Finance Coordinator

This position requires a “can-do” attitude, good time management skills and use of initiative.  The successful applicant must be well presented, have well developed written and oral communication skills, a customer service focus, and a good team spirit. 

The role is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Yachting Australia financial system and the provision of accurate and timely financial information.

Competency in Quicken, internet based banking systems and microsoft excel are a pre-requisite.  For full information on Yachting Australia visit our website www.yachting.org.au

Applications should be submitted in writing to: alastair.snell@yachting.org.au or posted to Yachting Australia, Locked Bag 806, Milsons Point NSW 2061.

 All applications should be received by 4pm on Friday 22 September 2006.

RSYS to host Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron will host the series from 26-30 September with eight teams from New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland competing in the Squadron’s fleet of Elliott 6 sports boats.

Heading the line-up are NSW women Nicky Bethwaite, Nicky Souter and Katie Spithill, all successful international sailors. 

Spithill, from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, is listed No 7 in Yachting Australia women’s match racing rankings following recent successes in the USA;  Bethwaite, representing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron,  is Australia’s most capped woman Olympic sailor; Souter, also from RPAYC , this week reached the semi-finals of the International Federation (ISAF) Nations Cup in Europe.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has nominated three teams, the skippers being Samantha Boyd, Simone Deane and Lucinda Whitty.

Claire Hunting, from Sandringham Yacht Club will lead the Victorian crew and Meghan Andrew will skipper a combined CYCA/Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron crew.

The nine teams will compete in a round-robin format, followed by the finals, with a presentation function at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on 30 September.

The Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship will be followed by the Wotif.com 2006 Australian Match Racing Championship, also on Sydney Harbour and sailed in Elliott 6’s, but conducted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia from 30 September to 4 October.

The sole women’s team in this open ISAF Grade 3 event will be led by Katie Spithill, backing up after the Women’s Championship.  Three-times Hardy Cup winning skipper Michael Dunstan will be representing the RSYS in this event along with crews other NSW clubs and crews from WA and Victoria.

For further information, please click here

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	RSYS Website

Silver for Wilmot & Page - 470 World Championships: Rizhao, China

Wilmot & Page

Wilmot and Page were in the lead for most of the regatta, however competition was tight between the Australian and Great Britain team, with little more than one point separating them over the last two days.

The Australian’s were in the lead on the final downwind leg, however with a yellow flag issued by the jury (a penalty for “pumping”) to the Aussie duo, the British pair passed them, securing the gold medal.

Page commented after the race “We were 1 point ahead going into the medal race.  We started the race, with an unlimited pumping flag up.  We worked hard, very hard!  We managed to get to the last top mark in 2nd position, 100 metres in front of our only opposition the GBR team. Half way down the last run, we got penalised from the jury for pumping.  We completed our 720 degree turned, but that left us in 8th position, behind the GBR team.”

“The race committee had apparently dropped the pumping flag at the 1st bottom mark.  However, with about 50 motor boats (average of 4 people per boat) and the yelling amongst all the sailors and boats, we did not hear the sound signal whistle” added Page.

Head Coach for the Australian Sailing Team (AST), Victor Kovalenko commented “We are disappointed that Malcolm and Nathan did not win the gold medal but racing in China has been a great learning curve in our preparation for 2008.  In the last month, all AST members have learnt so much about tide patterns, equipment development, light wind sailing techniques and fitness regimes. We are confident the lessons learnt will transcend into great results in two years time.”

In 2006 Wilmot and Page had won the Sail Melbourne Regatta in January and then the ISAF World Sailing Games in Austria in May, both in the 470 class. They also posted 14th place at the recent Qingdao International Regatta in China.

Wilmot and Page will now head back to Australia for a well earned rest before travelling to Hamilton Island for a Team training camp in late October.

The final results were as follows:

Men’s:
Gold: Nic Asher and Elliot Willis (GBR)
Silver: Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page (AUS)
Bronze: Gideon Kliger and Udi Gal (ISR)

Women’s:
Gold: Marcelien de Koning and Lobke Berkhout (NED)
Silver: Ai Kondo and Naoko Kamata (JPN)
Bronze: Therese Torgersson and Vendela Zahrisson (SWE)

Other Links
	470 Class Association

Wilmot & Page in Final Medal Race - 470 World Championships Rizhao, China

Australian 470 World Champions, Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page will battle it out with Nic Asher and Elliot Willis from Great Britain with only one point separating them, along with Croatia and Israel who are all in the final which will be held today at 4pm (AEST).

If Wilmot and Page win the 2006 470 World Championships, they will become the first team in history to win three consecutive 470 World Championships.

The current men's standings are a result of twelve races during six days, 147 teams from 33 countries all over the world, featuring Olympic Medallists, reigning and former World and European Champions, all fighting to represent their country in Beijing in 2008.

Mat Belcher and Nick Behrens are currently placed 14th in the men's division whilst Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson are also placed 14th in the women's division.

Below are the 10 teams competing for the Gold Medal in the Men's Division:

Place	Country	Team	Final Points
1	AUS	Nathan Wilmot/Malcom Page	55
2	GBR	Nic Asher/Elliot Willis	56
3	ISR	Gideon Kliger/Udi Gal	67
4	CRO	Sime Fantela/Igor Marenic	71
5	ITA	Gabrio Zandona/Andrea Trani	75
6	FRA	Benjamin Bonnaud/Romain Bonnaud	82
7	NED	Sven Coster/Kalle Coster	83
8	USA	Mikee Anderson/David Hughes	88
9	FRA	Nicolas Charbonnier/Olivier Bausset	92
10	GBR	Nick Rogers/Joe Glanfield	93

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	Event Website

Lend your support to East Timor & Sailability

East Timor Appeal

A 20' container is being sent to Dili in October and we wish to fill it with the following donated items that are in good condition.  Can you please contact your local sailing clubs, sailing schools, fishing clubs etc so we can really make a difference to the lives of the folks up in East Timor.  Please bring all items to the NSW Access C'ships at Kogarah Bay on Sept 30 so Chris can take back to Melbourne.

Sails:  Dinghy and windsurfer sails are ideal, but any sail size will be very useful as they will be cut down and put on bamboo masts to sail dugout canoes.    Rope (cordage to you yachtsmen):  ANY will be greatly appreciated as they are currently using nylon twine.
Lifejackets (All sizes):  Desperately needed, not only for the Sailabilty program but also for the fishermen.  One night last week they lost two boats and six fishermen.  These lifejackets will actually save lives.
Fishing Tackle:  As the saying goes - hooks, lines and sinkers.  Anything will be most useful.

Sailabilty will not only provide a sorely needed recreational opportunity to the commuity, but will also reintroduce the skill of Sailing to the local fishermen.  This will enable them to sail to richer fishing grounds and improve the quality of lives of the local people. 

The deadline for Sydney is 28th September and Melbourne will be mid October.

Please be part of the team that can make a difference.  Please dont send unusable or broken items.  If you have questions, please email me on jackiek@sailability.org.

Thanks in anticipation,
Jackie

Australia back in the lead at 470 World Championships

Over night, Wilmot and Page took back their lead from Nic Asher and Elliot Willis (GBR). Only one point now separates the teams with only two Medal Race Qualifiers to go.

Although the wind was steadier, the Australians had to be very alert about the current that varied in strength and direction on different regions on the race course. At the marks, the current was hard to estimate and with tension reaching high levels, many boats floated against the upper mark and had take their penalties.

Below are the current top 3 results and the Australian results:

Men:
1. Nathan Wilmot & Malcolm Page (AUS)
2. Nic Asher & Elliot Willis (GBR)
3. Sven Coster & Kalle Coster (NED)
10. Mathew Belcher & Nick Behrens (AUS)

Women:
1. Ai Kondo/Naoko Kamata (JPN)
2. Marcelien de Koning/Lobke Berkhout (NED)
3. Yoshisako Yuka/Okuma Noriko (JPN)
14. Elise Rechichi/Tessa Parkinson (AUS)
24. Lauren Jeffries/Rike Ziegemayer (AUS)

Other Links
	470 Class Association

Wilmot and Page in final series of 470 World Championships, Rizhao China

Australian 470 sailors Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page racing in Athens on 15th August 2004

Racing got started with a light off-land shifting breeze of six knots, freshening to about 12 knots, enough to hoist the yellow flag during the race. A strong current of over 30 cm/s decreasing during the race gave an extra dimension to the start of first final series’ racing.

Australian World Champions, Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page were in the lead up until Nic Asher and Elliot Willis from Great Britain took over with a 6 point lead ahead of the Australian’s.

Wilmot and Page won this event in 2004 and 2005 thus becoming the first team in 22 years to win two years in a row. All eyes are now on the Australian champions becoming the first team to win the event three times in a row.

Other Australian results at the championships include Mathew Belcher and Nick Behrens in 7th place and in the women’s event, Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson in 13th position with Lauren Jeffries and Rike Ziegemayer currently in 23rd place.

For both the Men and Women, there are four races to be raced over the next two days.

On the 13th of September the top ten of both Gold Fleets will decide on medals in the final Medal Race.

Other Links
	Event Website

Australia narrowly misses out on ISAF Nations Cup title– Final

Although the Australian crew skippered by Nickey Souter and crewed by Rayshele Martin, Nina Curtis and Kylie McKillop lead in the round robin series for most the competition, France dominated the final and took home the Nations Cup trophy.

With wind speeds of up to 20 knots, the Australian girls had a tough race in flight 17 against Brazil but managed to cross the line 30 seconds ahead. In flight 18 however, Australia had a close start with Bermuda but it was Bermuda who won by a couple of inches.

The semi-finals saw a battle between Australia and Denmark. Denmark reached the top mark first and continued to lead, winning by half a boat length. Denmark dominated the second match winning the start and maintaining the lead throughout to secure their place in the final.

On the final day of competition, France took home the double, winning in both the Open and Women's events.

The final results for the Women’s event are as follows:
Gold - Claire Leroy (France)
Silver - Lotte Pedersen (Denmark)
Bronze - Klaartje Zuiderbaan (Netherlands)

Other Links
	Event Website

Day 3: Nations Cup Grand Final - Australia in equal first place

It was a beautiful sunny day when competition began, with 12-15kts of wind from the North filled in as racing got underway.

As the Nations Cup Grand Final enters the middle of the second series of the round robin, each team is becoming more aware of how important each win is to them.

The event has tightened its grip as the Australians and the French are equal in the overall standings with Bermuda and Denmark hot on their heels.

Results are as follows for the Women's event:

Team	Won	Lost
Nicky Souter	9	3
Claire Leroy	9	3
Paula Lewin	8	4
Lotte Pedersen	8	4
Klaartje Zuiderbaan	6	5
Mary O'Loughlin	4	8
Lucy MacGregor	4	8
Jessica Smythe	3	9
Rossana Ramos	1	11

Flight Details:

Flight 10
Match 1	DEN 1	FRA 0
Match 2	IRL 0	BRA 1
Match 3	GBR 1	BER 0
Match 4	AUS 1	NZL 0
BYE	NED

Flight 11
Match 1	IRL 0	BER 1
Match 2	GBR 1	NZL 0
Match 3	DEN 0	NED 1
Match 4	AUS 0	FRA 1
BYE	BRA

Flight 12
Match 1	NZL 1	IRL 0
Match 2	NED 1	BRA 0
Match 3	AUS 0	DEN 1
Match 4	FRA 0	GBR 1
BYE	BER

Flight 13
Match 1	AUS 0	NED 1
Match 2	GBR 0	DEN 1
Match 3	FRA 1	IRL 0
Match 4	BRA 0	BER 1
BYE	NZL

Other Links
	Event Website

Australia still in the lead on Day 2 of Nations Cup

2006 Nations Cup

In their last match in flight 9 they came up against the Bermudan team skippered by Paula Lewin. Both had an excellent start but the Bermudan team got ahead just after the start, however the Australian girls caught up and a tacking dual got underway up to the first windward mark.

As they hoisted kites and made their way downwind the Bermudan team were left onto Port and were luffed up past the mark, then the Australians managed to get ahead. The Bermudans gave as good as they got on leg two but it wasn’t quite as good to get past the Australian girls. 

“We are delighted with our team work, our hoists and drops are excellent and definitely helping with our late and early drops to help gain any advantage we can” comments Nina Curtis team Australia.

This is the first time the Australian team have sailed together this year. Varying schedules have not allowed the girls to sail together but they all have managed to get some practice on a local members J24 back in their home club in Sydney, Australia.

Day 2 Results:

Netherlands 3

Denmark 5

New Zealand 2

Bermuda 6

Great Britain 1

Brazil 0

Ireland 4

Other Links
	Event Website

International & Recognised Classes Funding Policy Now Available

The Yachting Australia Board of Directors have approved the International & Recognised Classes Funding policy for 2006.

Other Links
	IR Funding Application Policy Supplement 2 Sep06
	IR Funding Application Form Sep06

Day 1: Australian Team leading at Nations Cup Grand Final

Day 1: Australian Team leading at Nations Cup Grand Final

The day began for the Australian’s with a light to moderate south-westerly wind and misty day for the first of their round robin series. The competition involves a round robin series with each team racing against one another, and includes a total of 4 flights with four matches per flight.

Nicky Souter is a 22 year old Sydneysider based out at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Souter is currently ranked 17th in the world for Women’s Match Racing and in 2006 has already had a series of impressive performances.  Earlier this year she skippered the winning team at the Harken Women’s Match Racing Championships in Sydney.

The Australian Team at the Nations Cup Grand Final is crewed by Rayshele Martin from Southport Yacht Club - Queensland, Nina Curtis from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club - NSW and Kylie McKillop from Royal Motor Yacht Club - NSW.

Australia does not have a Men’s Match Racing Team at this event.

The event continues until 9th September.

Current results in the women’s division is as follows:

Women’s	Won	Lost
N. Souter	4	0
C. LeRoy	3	1
L. Pederson	2	2
M’O Loughlin	2	2
L. MacGregor	0	4
P. Leven	3	0
K. Zuiderbaan	1	2
J. Smythe	1	2
R. Ramos	0	3

                                                                                     
                     
                                                                                                                                           
                       

Other Links
	ISAF Nations Cup Website
	ISAF Nations Cup History

Australian 470 Champions prepare for World Championships, Rizhao China

Rizhao Marina, China

2004 and 2005 470 World Champions and Australian Sailing Team (AST) members, Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page (AIS/NSWIS) have positioned themselves well this year winning both the Sail Melbourne Regatta and the ISAF World Sailing Games in Austria. They were placed 14th at the Qingdao International Regatta in China last month.

Elise Rechichi & Tessa Parkinson (AIS/WAIS) both battled illness at the Qingdao International Regatta but are now back in fine form and ready to better their 10th place result at last years 470 World Championships. If their results in 2006 are anything to go by, they will certainly achieve this goal. Rechichi and Parkinson finished in second place at the ISAF World Sailing Games and more recently they took away the gold medal at Kiel Week in Germany.

Mathew Belcher (AIS/QLD) and Nick Behrens (AIS/TIS) have also had great results in 2006 in the 470 class. With a third place at Sail Melbourne earlier this year, they went on to grab third place at the Holland Regatta and at Kiel Week in Germany they brought home the gold medal.

Members of the Australian Development Squad will also compete along side AST members at the 470 World Championships. Lauren Jefferies and Rike Ziegelmayer (QLD) had an outstanding result at 2006 Kiel Week, coming in second place just behind Rechichi and Parkinson. Both Dylan Clarke & Ayden Menzies (SA) have been competing consistently throughout the year at regattas such as the 2006 European Championships, Kiel Week and the Holland Regatta.

The 470 World Championships will be held at Rizhao, China. Rizhao is located on the east coast of the Yellow Sea, facing Korea and Japan.

The schedule is as follows:
4th – 6th September: Registration & measurement
6th September: Practice Race & Opening Ceremony
7th – 12th September: Qualifying Series
13th September: Final Race & Closing Ceremony

Other Links
	470 World Championships

Sailing Manager - Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania

The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania was established in 1880 and is Tasmania’s premier yacht club.  It has a world wide reputation in yacht racing circles.  Its focus is on provision of yacht racing, junior sailing and training, cruising and social activities offering excellent in-house hospitality services and social facilities for members and guests.

The role encompasses The Management of all facets of Sailing Activities of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania Essential skills required:

1. Excellent Computer Skills
2. Ability to work as part of a team and with committees
3. Good communication skills
4. Sound sailing knowledge.
5. Strong Public Relation skills
6. Have an amenable personality

Further details can be obtained by telephoning Mr Robert Devine, General Manager, RYCT 62 234599 or email your application letter and CV to Robert@ryct.org.au.

Written Applications Marieville Esplanade, SANDY BAY 7005 TASMANIA

Travel Insurance: Competing in Racing Regattas

Robert Masterman is offering extremely competitive premiums plus this coverage will cover instructors for injuries they may obtain whilst competing in regattas. Normal travel insurance excludes competitive sports coverage. 

This policy can be arranged for an additional fee to the subscriptions paid by Yachting Australia members.

For further information, full policy details, claims information and an application form please contact Robert Masterman Pty Ltd on 03 9820 9277 or via www.bobmast.com.au

Other Links
	Robert Masterman

Star studded line up for Wotif.com Australian Match Racing Championship

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Last week entries for the Wotif.com Championship, which will be hosted for the first time by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia on Sydney Harbour from 30 September to 4 October aboard the Club's fleet of ten Elliott 6's, were finalised.

The top ranked male skippers include Michael Dunstan and Stuart Pollard representing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Evan Walker representing the CYCA, Torvar Mirsky representing Royal Perth Yacht Club in Western Australia and Keith Swinton sailing for South of Perth Yacht Club.

ISAF’s top ranked Australian woman Katie Spithill was delighted to gain a place through her Open ranking and will head up an all women team sailing for the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Pittwater. Spithill has achieved a top three placing in the last five regattas she has contested national and internationally including firsts at the Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis and Matis New Zealand Women’s Match Racing Championship.

“For every team just gaining an entry to this event has been a challenge”, commented regatta organiser Jenni Bonnitcha. 

‘With so many applicants, carefully graded within their states, positions have been highly competitive and as a result, the teams lining up for the Wotif.com Australian Match Racing Championship are hot!!”

“With the strength of all states developing in match racing and yacht clubs providing strong youth training programs which support the discipline, the depth of the teams is ever increasing,” Bonnitcha added.

The 2006 Wotif.com Australian Match Racing Championship is shaping up to be the most competitive match racing regatta ever held in Australia and has the strong support of Graeme Wood, CEO of naming rights sponsor Wotif.com, who himself is an accomplished sailor, recently finishing first in division at Hamilton Island Race Week.  

Graeme Wood is delighted with the response and high standard of the teams.

“I am thrilled that Wotif.com is able to support the sailing community via our sponsorship of the Australian Match Racing Championship.

“Not only has sailing given a lot to me personally but the sailing community as a whole are great supporters of Wotif.com. They use the site when they are competing in both Australian and international regattas so that they can cut down on admin time and spend more time on the water,” Wood said.

Other Links
	Final list of entries and more information