Racing Starts At The 2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup In Melbourne

Just after noon, it was clear that the first day of racing had begun in the 2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup, for the yard at the world-class Sandringham Yacht Club on the shores of Melbourne’s Port Phillip was pretty empty indeed.

Olympic classes, such as 470s, Finns, Lasers and 49ers were out on their respective courses and were joined by invited classes like 29ers, Vipers, SKUD18 and Access Liberty dinghies. The only one who seemed not to have read the memo was Hughie, the God of Wind, who delivered a fluctuating 7 to 12 knots for most of the morning, predominantly from the Sou’west. This was well below expectations, about half in fact.

Out on the track, it made 17 knots as the afternoon worn on, but definitely kept clocking North as it did so. The Lasers, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 out on Course C to the North had begun early and were well into racing. Race 1 for the Lasers saw them complete a trapezoid course, with Jared West leading fellow Australians Ryan Palk and Matthew Wearn over the line. Frederik Westman from Finland was the highest placed International, just missing out in fourth place. After two races, Ryan Palk took take the lead from Tom Burton followed by Matthew Wearn with London 2012 Olympain Wannes Van Laer from Belgium in sixth place. Westman slipped to ninth, as a result of a 16th in the second race.

Australia’s Krystal Weir took the Race 1 honours in the Laser Radial ahead of Ashley Stoddart and then Singapore’s Elizabeth Yin in third place. Louise Evans from Australia held out Manon Luther of Switzerland for fourth and fifth, respectively. Luther said afterwards, “Certainly tricky stuff with the waves, but it worked out all right in the end.” She is consistent, with two fifth places earning her that spot for the night, whereas Louise Evans would match Yin for equal third, with the other two on equal points at the top.

American Finn sailor, Ben Leibowitz was fourth and the highest placed International. He said, “You know I struggled in that first race to pick the shifts, but made up some ground afterwards, especially running back down. It was a bit confusing with the wind and waves coming from different directions. Overall I could not be happier and tomorrow seems like it may be right past the top of my range, so we’ll just have to see what comes.” Brendan Casey from Australia took first place, from Jake Lilley and Oliver Tweddell in third after their first two races.

Of their two wins today in the Women’s 470 that sees Sasha Ryan and Jaime Ryan in the lead, Sasha commented, “It certainly was a tricky day and we’re really happy that it did not blow up like it was meant to. Seems that’s going to be tomorrow.” Lucy Shephard and Aurora Paterson hold second place and then the rest of the all-Australian five-boat fleet are equal with eight points.

South Africa’s Asenathi Jim and Roger Hudson finished second overall on the opening day of racing, behind Australia’s Mat Belcher and Will Ryan who got two bullets for their day’s work. Roger said of it all, “It seems just like last year, with the waves taking you up and down and the breeze flicking around too. It filled in finally and it was nice racing. An OK day.” Russia’s Vladimir Chaus and Denis Gribanov are in third place, just one point astern of the South Africans.

Moving further South to Course B, it was nearly time for the eagerly awaited, female-crewed skiff, the 49er FX. Just before they got away however, the Viper catamarans had their first attempt at a start, but the adrenalin got the better of the crews and there was a General Recall and the resultant Black Flag. These vessels are exceptionally quick and give an indication as to what we can expect from the Nacra 17s when they are expected to appear on the ISAF Sailing World Cup circuit in Miami next year. With a lot of mixed crews on board, they are very much of a similar vein. The second start was all clear and then the FX lined up, far more conservatively than the Vipers. The New Zealand crew of Alex Maloney and Molly Meech won that start, but by the time they were heading back down they were in fifth place.

It would not matter as it would turn out, for the entire race had to be abandoned due to the breeze clocking right by around 35 degrees to land at West Nor’west (300). The 49ers were online for a start at this juncture and got away for a matter of seconds before another GR to account for the shift, so one can only say that it will be a long day for sailors and officials alike. Indeed, as the light got less intense, they were still out there with just the one race in the bag.

So after three races, Tessa Parkinson and Kate Lathouras (AUS) lead from Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL). London 2012 Silver Medallist, Olivia Price is third, but as she is sailing as a mixed crew, she is not in medal contention. Anna Kendall and Michelle Muller are in fourth, accordingly.

Steven Thomas and Rhys Mara won two 49er races on the first day to lead with Luke Parkinson and Fang Warren behind them and then Sam Kivell and Sam Phillips in third. All these crews are Australian.

The Men’s RSX Windsurfer saw Australia’s Sam Treharne get a first and then a second in the two races to lead with three points. Luke Baillie had a first and third to take second place for the day and Patrick Vos secured third place, one point further behind.

Results

ISAF Sailing World Cup Website

Jean Le Cam on SynerCiel had some problems over the weekend in the Vendee Globe as a fishing net got caught up in his keel.

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