High Scores Abound As Light Winds Continue At Hyeres

posted about 1 year ago

Pietro and Gianfranco SIBELLO of Italy lead in the 49er class
©Guillaume Durand

Another day of light and patchy conditions resulted in some poor finishes amongst the event favourites and all of a sudden the battle for ISAF Sailing World Cup gold is wide open again. While some classes see new leaders, high scores reduce the advantages previously gained and opened the door to the chasing teams. The results are tighter and a second drop applied after nine races in all classes will reduce the gaps even more, increasing the opportunities to make the Medal Race. With a place in the Medal Race also securing points to towards the ISAF Sailing World Cup Standings (points are awarded to the top 20 finishers at each event), tomorrow’s racing is sure to provide many surprises.

With light and shifty northerly breeze coming in early afternoon, racing got underway behind schedule and a first attempt to race was quickly hampered by a big shift that cancelled racing for the Stars, 49ers and Lasers. The wind came back from the southwest with two races completed in most classes and three for the 49ers and the Stars. Racing ended after 19:00.

The fourth day of racing in Hyeres sees new faces at the top of the rankings in four classes. Peina CHEN (CHN) takes the lead in the Women’s RS:X fleet from Maayan DAVIDOVICH (ISR). Shahar ZUBARI (ISR) is back into the lead in the Men’s RS:X fleet after taking the bullets in both races.

Harada RYUNOSUKE and Yuugo YOSHIDA (JPN) occupy the top place in the Men’s 470 class on equal points with Gabrio ZANDONA and Eduardo MANCINELLI (ITA) who collected a 21st in the last race. The new Polish team of Patryk PIASECKI and Marcin MICKIEWICZ improve from ninth to sixth overall. They explain their day: “It was a long and hard day for everybody; it is hard to stay concentrated in these conditions. We had a good start in the first race today and collected our fourth top-three place. We hope we will race tomorrow to discard a second race, for us it means 30 points!”

A second and a first place bring Danish crew Henriette KOCH and Lene SOMMER, leaders of the World Cup Standings, back to the front of the Women’s 470 fleet: “Of course are we happy to be back in the yellow jersey. But to be honest we are far happier to have found out what we did wrong yesterday, and then be able to correct it. It is that process that makes us happy. When that works, then the results are sure to come.”

Veronika FENCLOVA (CZE) holds on to the lead in the Laser Radial despite an average day. Olympic Champion Anna TUNNICLIFFE (USA) from the US Sailing Team Alphagraphics, gets ever closer to the top of the leaderboard with her trademark consistent finishing, collecting two fourth places today. TUNICLIFFE explains: “It was puffy and tricky. The pressure was up and down and you needed to be watching and see what was going on.” Number one on the ISAF Sailing World Cup Standings, TUNICLIFFE comments: “I think the SWC is great and got everyone racing again, especially during the post-Olympic year. The concept is good to promote the sport and consistent sailing. You have to give it all!”

Three races sailed in the 49er gold fleet gave two first places to the ALONSO brothers, Federico ALONSO and Arturo ALONSO (ESP) who climbed one step into second overall. They sit behind another family team, Pietro SIBELLO and Gianfranco SIBELLO (ITA), who keep the lead after mixed results. Whilst the top two teams have secured a good margin over the rest of the fleet, behind them the points are tight and the top 18 boats all have a chance to get a place in the Medal Race.

All the top skippers collected high scores in the Laser gold fleet. However, despite a 31st scored in the first race, Beijing gold medallist Paul GOODISON (GBR) increased his overall lead. Maxim SEMERKHANOV (RUS) is in second overall on equal points with Tonci STIPANOVIC (CRO). The points are very close and the top 10 places remain wide open.

Finn sailor Ivan KLJAKOVIC GASPIC (CRO) continues to master the tricky conditions in Hyeres. He has added a fifth and a second to his series of top-five places in the Finn fleet. “I have had good training and preparation in Hyeres before the event. I have a good boat feeling and handling in light wind. I am fast so I can sail simply and stay with the group,” he said.

Xavier ROHART and Pierre-Alexis PONSOT (FRA) won two races and placed second in the last to increase their lead in the small Star fleet. France also leads in the Paralympic event, with Damien SEGUIN holding onto first overall in the 2.4mR. However Beijing gold medallist Paul TINGLEY (CAN) moves up second place with a first and a third.

From The Boat Park…

Darren BUNDOCK and Ben AUSTIN (AUS) - 49er

The Semaine Olympique Francaise in Hyeres is the second event in the 49er for multiple Olympic and World Championship medallist in the Tornado class, Darren BUNDOCK, associated for the 2012 Olympic campaign with current 49er World Champion Ben AUSTIN. BUNDOCK made the move to the 49er just three months ago. After a difficult start at the Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia MAPFRE in Palma, the new pair has narrowly qualified into the gold fleet in the Semaine Olympique Francaise. On equal points with French team of Vincent BERTHEZ and Sébastien DURAND they break the tie in their favour thanks to their victory in the last race of the qualifying series.

“For once we could race and not just “survive”! Things are coming together now, we have much better starts, and we have improved our speed. We sail the boat more accurately and more smoothly,” says BUNDOCK.

“I don’t have the feeling of having an elephant onboard anymore!” jokes AUSTIN. “My goal here was to make the gold fleet” added AUSTIN… “And for me the Medal Race!” says BUNDOCK! With only 14 points separating the Australians from 10th place, everything remains possible, especially with six races scheduled before the Medal Race.

“It will be interesting to race with the good guys, we will be able to know where we really stand,” concludes BUNDOCK.

Helena LUCAS (GBR) - 2.4mR

The Semaine Olympique Francaise is the second ISAF Sailing World Cup event for Skandia Team GBR sailor Helena LUCAS, who returned to international competition earlier this month. “I have taken a long break after the PAralympics, the Princesa Sofia Trophy in Palma was my first event. The competition here is strong.”

2008 gold and silver medallists Paul TINGLEY (CAN) and Damien SEGUIN (FRA), 2004 bronze medal Thierry SCHMITTER (NED) bring experience to the fleet, while André RADEMAKER (NED) is starting to find his pace in the class and is becoming a strong contender.

About the conditions in Hyères: “The racing is tricky. With the light wind we had during the start of the regatta it is important to stay with the pressure, and for that you need to be able to look out of the boat for the shifts. That’s quiet hard in the 2.4mR because we are so low in the boat! My coach has designed and built what I call a “carbon tea tray”, it does help to lift me more above sea level.”

About the 2.4mR being part of the ISAF SWC: “I am very happy that the 2.4mR is part of the Sailing World Cup as it is raising the standard of Paralympic events. It did encourage two more events to include us with the Olympic classes. It is a pity that the Sonar and SKUD are not more motivated to come to these regattas, hopefully we will encourage them to participate.”

The Semaine Olympique Francaise will be breaking new ground for the Paralympic fleet, as the first event to hold a Medal Race for the 2.4mR.

ISAF Sailing World Cup

The ISAF Sailing World Cup 2008-2009 consists of the following events:

16-21 Dec 2008 - Sail Melbourne The Asia Pacific Regatta, Melbourne, Australia
25-31 Jan 2009 - Rolex Miami OCR, Miami, USA
4-10 April 2009 - Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia MAPFRE, Palma, Spain
18-24 April 2009 - Semaine Olympique Francaise, Hyeres, France
27-31 May 2009 - Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, Netherlands
20-29 June 2009 - Kieler Woche, Kiel, Germany
14-19 Sept 2009 - Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, Weymouth, Great Britain

Find out more about the ISAF Sailing World Cup, including more on the seven events, the latest World Cup Standings, the scoring system and the Notice of Series at www.sailing.org/isafsailingworldcup.

Corinne Rolland-McKenzie

OLYMPIC SAILING STARS SOUND THE STARTERS GUN FOR THE RYA VOLVO DINGHY SHOW 2009

posted about 1 year ago

Iain Percy said: “Being the only show in the world dedicated to dinghy sailors, it really is a must for the calendar. It’s a fantastic opportunity for sailors of all ages and abilities to get together and hear from some of the top sailors, coaches and instructors in the sport, as well as pick up some of the latest kit and boats around. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store.”

Paul, Iain and Andrew were joined by Stevie Morrison (49er), Nick Rogers (470m), Joe Glanfield (470m) and Helena Lucas (2.4m).

Steve Gray, RYA marketing manager said: “We are delighted that these champion sailors could come and open this year’s show, they are such great ambassador for the sport and undoubtedly some of the finest dinghy sailors in the world and a great inspiration to all the dinghy enthusiasts attending the show.

“We are hoping that following such a great opening, this year’s show proves just as popular.”

The RYA Volvo Dinghy Show 2009, in association with Yachts & Yachting and Suzuki, is the only show in the world dedicated to dinghy sailing with something for everyone from the complete beginner to the seasoned pro.

With a host of events on throughout the weekend it really is an essential for any dinghy sailor’s calendar.

The show runs over the weekend 7-8 March, tickets available on the door.

NEW SAILABILITY TV LAUNCHES AT RYA VOLVO DINGHY SHOW 2009

posted about 1 year ago

Introduced by RYA chairman Richard Langford, to a crowd of disabled and able bodied sailors and enthusiasts, the new site will provide a one stop shop of information from events, clubs and boats to volunteering, training and promotions for disabled sailors and volunteers alike.

“Sailability TV is a new innovation for RYA Sailability making it far easier for sailors, clubs and volunteers to see what Sailability can do for them. It covers all levels from grassroots to Paralympian level. It really is worth a watch”, commented Richard.

One of the UK’s leading figures in disabled sailing Geoff Holt who has been involved with the Sailability programme since 1995 went on to say: “Back when I started sailing there were only a handful of clubs available to sail from but last year some 20,000 disabled sailors took to the water with hundreds of clubs providing sailing facilities for disabled sailors and an army of volunteers.

“This new site will be a great help and takes Sailability in to the 21st century. It has lots of goodies on it – the boats, paralympic classes and is a living breathing document which needs your support to keep it alive, so please get involved.”

To view Sailability TV visit www.ryasailability.tv and for more information about Sailability visit www.rya.org.uk/sailability


Left to right – signer, Richard Langford, Geoff Holt, Helena Lucas

DAY ONE OF THE RYA VOLVO DINGHY SHOW 2009 ENDS TO THE SOUND OF MUSIC

posted about 1 year ago

Packed to the rafters with boats, kit and a host of Olympic sailors, this year’s show is proving, to be as popular as ever.

Seven of the history making sailors from the 2008 Beijing games kick started the day welcoming dinghy enthusiasts to the show. Once inside there were talks, prizes galore and plenty of action around the exhibitors stands.

There were great battles taking place at the rowing challenge with everyone from young children to seasoned sailors putting themselves through their paces in the 1 minute distance trial.

RYA Sailability launched two new programmes Sailability TV and Beginner to Winner supported by inspirational solo sailor Geoff Holt and Skandia Team GBR’s Helena Lucas.

For some local youngsters there was the unique opportunity to have an up close and personal chat with gold medal winners Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson – the girls were even given the opportunity to get their hands on the boys gold medals!

Frensham Pond Sailing Club from Surrey were crowned the RYA Club of the Year, whilst four further clubs were awarded the prestigious Volvo RYA Champion Club status.

There was a special treat for one young man at the show, Mark Williams from Essex who was surprised by Paul Goodison, Team Volvo for life sailor, with a brand new Laser being after being nominated for a special Starlight gift that grants wishes for profoundly and terminally ill children.

There was plenty to see around the show too from classic boat designs to the very latest foiling dinghies. Stands and walkways were awash with visitors much to everyone’s delight.

Steve Gray, RYA marketing manager commented: “It has been a fantastic at the show today and we are hoping many more people come to experience this unique event tomorrow.”

On day two the show will be joined by yet more Olympic gold medallists including Sarah Ayton and Pippa Wilson, as well as even more expert talks covering racing rules, fitness, nutrition, rig tuning and much much more.

RYA SAILABILITY LAUNCHES NEW BEGINNER TO WINNER PROGRAMME

posted about 1 year ago

The new programme will offer a clearer development pathway for disabled sailor’s right from the first time out on the water, to racing, right through to potentially training for the Paralympics.

Attended by Sailability supporters, sailors, the inspirational Geoff Holt and Paralympian Helena Lucas, the guests heard how the new programme will help bring a closer bond between grassroots sailing and the Olympic pathways.

Debbie Blachford, RYA Sailability manager said: “Beginner to Winner will provide a more efficient system for developing talent which will hopefully lead to more medals at the Paralympics.”

One of the driving forces behind the programme is Sailability National Sailing Coach Matt Grier who explained how the programme aims to increase number of competitive disabled sailors in the UK, providing the inspiration to get involved and provide a clear pathway of events and training.

“We hope to build and retain the talent we have in the hope of securing future medal winners. At the moment the Paralympic funding we have is ‘funded on dreams’ but we and those who fund us have belief in our ability to produce winners and we can do it with the help of Beginner to Winner.”

The programme not only focuses on the sailors themselves but looks to provide coaches with more training to secure the success of disabled sailing in the UK.

Helena Lucas concluded the launch by saying: “This is a fantastic scheme. I came through the able bodied training programme and had no idea about the paralympic classes, but this new scheme will give more disabled sailors knowledge about the Paralympic classes and get more disabled people in to sailing.”

To find out more about Sailability and Beginner to Winner visit www.rya.org.uk/sailability

Olympic sailing stars to open RYA Volvo Dinghy Show 2009

posted about 1 year ago

For the weekend of 7th – 8th March, Alexandra Palace becomes the home of all things dinghy sailing. Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking for the latest kit, boats and tips on improving your skills to the complete novice or first timer interested in finding out how to get involved, where to sail and what to sail there is something for everyone.

Paul Goodison, Team Volvo for life sailor and Skandia Team GBR’s gold medal winning Laser star said: “This show is fantastic for dinghy sailors no matter what age or ability they are. There are so many great boats, pieces of kit and speakers at the show that everyone comes away with something to improve their sailing.”


Paul will be joined by fellow Beijing stars to open the show:

·Iain Percy Double Gold medallist, Beijing 2008 (Star) & Sydney 2000 (Finn)

·Andrew Simpson Gold, Beijing 2008 (Star)

·Stevie Morrison 9th, Beijing 2008 (49er)

·Helena Lucas 7th, 2008 Paralympics Regatta (2.4m)

·Nick Rogers Double Silver medallist, Beijing 2008 (470m) & Athens 2004 (470m)

·Joe Glanfield Double Silver medallist, Beijing 2008 (470m) & Athens 2004 (470m)


So why not get your ticket now and come meet some of the sports most inspirational sailors, ask them questions on the secrets of their success or pick up an autograph or two or seven!

Get your tickets online now at www.dinghyshow.org.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0845 345 0424.

By booking your tickets in advance you will automatically be entered in to a free prize draw to win a fantastic RS-Tera dinghy, courtesy of LDC Racing Sailboats.


Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson winning gold at the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing

Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta

posted over 2 years ago

Racing for the Paralympic classes drew to a close at the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta on (Friday 1 February) with Helena Lucas and Niki Birrell-Alexandra Rickham gaining the advantage in the chase for British Paralympic selection in the 2.4mR and SKUD classes.

Lucas, who was competing with Megan Pascoe for the single British berth in the 2.4mR event, finished strongly, scoring 3,3 in the final two races of the regatta for the single-handed Paralympic class.
Although her overall fourth place wasn’t enough to see her into the medals in this open fleet, comprising both able-bodied and disabled sailors, Southampton-based Lucas was the third placed sailor eligible to compete at the Paralympic Games, with Pascoe finishing in seventh (fourth Paralympic) and overall victory going to Damien Seguin of France.

In the two-person SKUD class, Skandia Team GBR’s Niki Birrell and Alexandra Rickham consolidated their position as the top British boat in the fleet, with results of 8,5 ensuring a fifth place finish in their very first regatta together in this new Paralympic class. Allan Smith and Jackie Gay finished just behind, in sixth place on the overall leaderboard, while John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas couldn’t quite hold on to the third place they took into today in the three-person Sonar class and finished fourth overall.

RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park, observing the Miami event as part of the British selection trials for the Paralympic Games, commented: “It’s been an interesting few days watching our Paralympic hopefuls in action.
“It’s certainly been a tricky week for the sailors, and the RYA’s Paralympic selectors will now consider the outcomes of this regatta to determine what the next steps will be for all those concerned – whether that be to select, or to continue the trials process at future events.”

Golden end for Team Draper-Hiscocks and Shaw

posted over 3 years ago

British sailors won five medals in five classes on the final day of the French Olympic Sailing Week in Hyeres on Friday (27 April), with gold going to World Champions Chris Draper and Simon Hiscocks in the 49er class, and windsurfer Bryony Shaw.

After predominantly light wind conditions earlier in the week, the French Rivera resort saw its second consecutive day of 12-15 knot conditions for the final and decisive day of racing at this Grade 1 regatta.

Athens bronze medallists Draper and Hiscocks helped ensure a golden end to the week for Skandia Team GBR, clinching the regatta win after a nail-biting final race in which they trailed the rest of the pack heavily, eventually finishing the race in eighth place. It was enough to see them hold on to their overnight lead by four points and broke break their jinx of the Hyeres regatta being the only Grade 1 event they’ve never won a medal at.

“We were pretty slow upwind today – we didn’t quite get our rig tuning right so that didn’t help,” Draper explained.

“We were pretty disappointed with that race, but of course still really pleased to have won. We had a bad first day to our regatta, but kept on believing throughout that we could do it and surpassed our goal for the event which was to finish in the top five.”

John Pink and Simon Wheeler notched up a fourth race win of the week in the medal race today to end their superb run this week in fourth place overall, while European Champions Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes end the regatta in sixth.

In the RS:X women’s windsurfing discipline, Bryony Shaw went into the last day in first place and finished her regatta in the best possible shape. She was second behind nearest rival Blanca Manchon of Spain heading into the first windward mark, but then took control and was leading by the time she hit the first leeward gate. She won the race by a comfortable margin to hand her the regatta win with a 10 point buffer over Manchon.

John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas secured silver in the Paralympic Sonar class with a third from their final fleet race, while Helena Lucas sailed a solid last race in the 2.4mR class, only to discover she was judged to have crossed the startline early – she took the bronze, with Megan Pascoe finishing sixth overall.

Yngling crew Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson continued their lucrative run as a crew adding a bronze medal and a fourth straight podium finish to their silver medals at the recent Princes Sofia Trophy in Palma, the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in January and a bronze at the Skandia RYA Sail for Gold Regatta last October.

The Skandia Team GBR sailors went into today’s race in the silver medal position, but the USA boat, skippered by Sally Barkow, got the better of them early on in the final showdown to cross the finish line first, with Ayton, Webb and Wilson in second. The two crews were then on equal points in the results table, but Barkow’s superior position in the medal race was the deciding factor.

Victoria Rawlinson, Emma Rawlinson and Sue Monson – 11th hour recruits to the medal race after the disqualification of Shirley Robertson, Annie Lush and Lucy Macgregor last night – finished ninth overall in the Yngling event.

In the Finn class, Ed Wright was unable to pull himself back into the podium spots today – he needed to finish ahead of New Zealander Dan Slater, but after a premature start he had to re-cross the start line and only managed to recover to eighth place, while Slater finished in seventh. Giles Scott had a notable fourth in his first Grade 1 medal race to finish ninth overall.

Two sets of penalty turns for Paul Goodison in the Laser final ended his chances of a podium position – he finished tenth overall, while Nick Dempsey was involved in a battle royal with Brazilian Ricardo Santos in the RS:X men’s medal race with the two sailors evenly matched until Dempsey raced to one of the wrong marks. He finished the final in second, which pulled him up to seventh overall after a disappointing start to the week.

Skandia Team GBR medallists
Gold
Chris Draper-Simon Hiscocks (49er)
Bryony Shaw (RS:X women)

Silver
John Robertson-Hannah Stodel-Stephen Thomas (Sonar)

Bronze
Sarah Ayton-Sarah Webb-Pippa Wilson (Yngling)
Helena Lucas (2.4mR)

For results and information from the regatta, visithttp://www.skandiateamgbr.com/events/hyeresreg/

Nine Miami medals for Great Britain

posted over 3 years ago

British sailors came away with five medals from the final day’s races at the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta on Saturday (27 January), bringing their regatta total to nine across the 14 Olympic and Paralympic classes.

But although they finished with more silverware than any other nation at the Grade 1 event, Skandia Team GBR rued missed opportunities in a number of the Olympic classes – the chance of gold melted into silver for Leigh McMillan and Will Howden in the Tornado class, and Bryony Shaw was unable to hold on her overnight lead in the RS:X women’s windsurfing event and had to settle for a bronze after an eighth place in the final double points scoring medal race.

Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield in the men’s 470 class were the only Brits to clinch gold on the final day of racing in Biscayne Bay. With an almost unassailable 19 point lead heading into the final day – they just had to avoid any on water incidents which could see them disqualified – the Athens silver medallists produced a final flourish, with a second place from the medal race providing the icing on the cake.

“The whole event has gone really well for us,” explained Rogers, whose eagerly anticipated comeback year to the Olympic sailing scene in 2006 with Glanfield suffered a setback when he broke his wrist at the start of the season. Consequently, the only major events they competed in during 2006 were the Olympic Test Event in Qingdao, which they won, and the 470 World Championships immediately afterwards, where they finished tenth.

“All of the world’s best sailors in the 470 fleet are here – some might not have their best boats with them, but still it’s been really pleasing to win against the top guys, to get racing and to see where there are areas we need to work on.”

In the Tornado class, overnight leaders Leigh McMillan and Will Howden – already assured of a silver – just needed to keep within four boats of the Australian World Champions Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby to secure a second gold for Great Britain. In spite of an aggressive start, with McMillan and Howden immediately tacking onto the Australians, Bundock and Ashby broke free and made big gains through the fleet. With big wind shifts across the course, the Skandia Team GBR sailors never managed to recover and finished 10th to the Australian’s second in the final race.

"It’s a real shame not to have won today, but we have to look at the positives of this result,” said Howden. “It was only four weeks ago we were coming 19th at the Worlds so this is a huge improvement for us.”

Bryony Shaw and Nick Dempsey also suffered with the 35 degree wind shifts which beset the RS:X course. Shaw could only manage an eighth place in the women’s medal race to see her fall from first to third overall, and Dempsey trailed across the line in tenth in the men’s final to push him out of the medals from his third place overnight.

In the Yngling women’s keelboat event, Athens gold medallists Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb along with Pippa Wilson secured their first Grade 1 podium position as a new crew. The trio were poised in second place heading into the final race, two points behind the USA team of Sally Barkow, Carrie Howe and Debbie Capozzi. Ayton’s team need to beat the Americans to clinch gold, but were unable stay in front of the former match racing World Champion and had to settle for silver in their first major event together as a crew.

“It’s been a great event for us, and a great result for Pippa,” commented Sarah Webb.

“We’re really happy with a silver in our first Grade 1 together, but mostly we’ve learnt a lot as a new team from this regatta. Our training so far has been focussed on speed – we haven’t really done any racing practice yet, so our performance on the race course this week has been encouraging.”

Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes put on a solid display in the 49er final, finishing fourth to boost them up onto the podium in silver medal position after heading into the medal race in fifth place. Spanish Olympic Champions Iker Martinez and Xavier Fernandez saw gold slip from their grasp when they were called early over the start line.

Skandia Team GBR’s five medals from the final day’s races in the Olympic classes is added to the four won on Friday in the Paralympic disciplines, where British sailors Dan Parsons, Tom Pygall and Guy Draper won gold and John Roberson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas took bronze in the three person Sonar class, and also took silver and bronze in the single-handed 2.4mR category through Megan Pascoe and Helena Lucas.

“Miami provided us with a good opportunity to see how the winter training programmes are paying off for the sailors,” concluded Olympic Manager Stephen Park. “While we didn’t set any specific performance targets for the team at this regatta, it’s pleasing that Great Britain has come away with nine medals across the 14 classes.

“That said, I’m slightly disappointed that in some classes we were unable to capitalise on some real opportunities that were out there – opportunities to convert leading positions in the Tornado and RS:X women’s events, and chances to convert podium placings into gold medals!

“It’s been a learning regatta for many of the sailors, and I’m sure that everyone will leave here having learnt a great deal and with plenty to think about ahead of the next Grade 1 event in April in Palma.”

British medallists in Miami:
Gold:
Nick Rogers-Joe Glanfield (470 Men);
Dan Parsons-Tom Pygall-Guy Draper (Sonar)
SIlver:
Sarah Ayton-Sarah Webb-Pippa Wilson (Yngling)
Leigh McMillan-Will Howden (Tornado)
Stevie Morrison-Ben Rhodes (49er)
Megan Pascoe (2.4mR)
Bronze:
Bryony Shaw (RS:X women)
John Robertson-Hannah Stodel-Stephen Thomas (Sonar)
Helena Lucas (2.4mR)

Seventeen British boats through to Miami medal races

posted over 3 years ago

The penultimate day of racing at the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta (22-27 January) saw seventeen British boats across ten classes qualify for Saturday’s final medal races. Eight Skandia Team GBR crews are in medal-winning positions heading into the final day of this Grade 1 regatta, with Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield and Bryony Shaw consolidating their leads in the 470 men’s and women’s RS:X categories, and Leigh McMillan and Will Howden moving to the top of the Tornado leaderboard ahead of Australian World Champions Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby after Friday’s racing.

Athens silver medalists Rogers and Glanfield take a 19 point lead into the final medal race on Saturday, recording 7,20,7 from their three races of the day, and will be joined in the medal race, featuring the top ten boats in a double-points scoring final showdown, by teammates and World Champions Nic Asher and Elliot Willis, currently in eighth place.

Bryony Shaw picked up her first race win of the regatta to see her extend her lead to four points in the women’s RS:X class, while Tornado sailors McMillan and Howden posted two solid seconds in Biscayne Bay’s 12 knot conditions to put them into first place and assured of at least a silver providing they sail a clean race tomorrow. "It feels great to be in this position,” said Howden. “We have really struggled over the last few regattas for no apparent reason, and it’s easy to get your head down. We came here with no real expectations, just wanting to feel like our program was moving forward again. “We haven’t changed a thing since the Worlds,” he continued. “I think this just shows how tight and hard this fleet is to compete in consistently at the top which is our short-term goal. Bundy [Darren Bundock] is really good in the medal races so we will have to be on top of our game tomorrow.”

Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson will also have to be on the top of their game if they’re to come out on top in the Yngling event. ‘Team Mirabaud’ sailed a solid 4,2,1 from today’s three races, but their closest rivals, the American team skippered by Sally Barkow, had an even better 2,1,2 to see them take the lead by two points over the British boat so the Yngling medal race will see an nail-biting showdown between the two crews.

The 49er leaderboard remains delicately balanced, with Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes still within reach of some silverware. Currently in fifth place, they’re just five points off the second placed boat of USA’s Tim Wadlow and Christopher Rast, while in the men’s RS:X class, third placed Nick Dempsey is on equal points with the Joao Rodrigues heading into tomorrow’s medal race.

In the single-handed events, Paul Goodison is currently fifth in the Laser class, Ed Wright and Ed Greig have made in through to the Finn medal race in seventh and ninth places respectively, and Charlotte Dobson and Lizzie Vickers will fly the Skandia Team GBR flag in the Laser Radial class. Christina Bassadone and Saskia Clark head into the women’s 470 medal race in sixth place, while the Star class will be the only one without British interest as the new crew of Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson were unable to make the cut.

While there’s still everything to play for in the Olympic disciplines, there was a dramatic conclusion to the regatta for Sonar sailors John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas. With no medal races scheduled for the three Paralympic classes, Friday’s final fleet races determined the overall regatta winners. Robertson, Stodel and Thomas were overnight leaders in the Sonar class, but were left under pressure from their teammates and training partners Dan Parsons, Tom Pygall and Guy Draper heading into the final race. In an attempt to aggressively match race Parsons’ team out of contention in the last race, the two-time IFDS World Champions Robertson, Stodel and Thomas inadvertently broke Rule 22, which prohibits a boat from altering its course to interfere with another boat sailing a different leg. On learning of their mistake, Robertson’s team confessed to the jury and were subsequently disqualified from the two races of the final day. They finished the regatta with bronze, after starting the day in the gold medal position. “The guys have never been in the situation before where they’ve had to win a race through any other means than just sailing as fast as they can,” said Skandia Team GBR Sonar coach Mark Rushall. “It was a training regatta for them here, so learning was the most important thing for the team – they’ve certainly learnt a lot!”

Megan Pascoe and Helena Lucas secured silver and bronze medals respectively in the 2.4mR Paralympic class, behind able-bodied sailor and five time 2.4mR Open World Champion Stellan Berlin of Sweden. For 20-year-old Pascoe, it was her best result to date, and “a brilliant way to start the year”. Allan Smith and Jackie Gay finished in fifth place in only their second event in the new SKUD-18 class.

Skandia Team GBR medal race contenders:

470 men – Nick Rogers-Joe Glanfield; Nic Asher-Elliot Willis
470 women – Christina Bassadone-Saskia Clark
49er – Stevie Morrison-Ben Rhodes; Paul Campbell James-Mark Asquith Finn – Ed Wright; Ed Greig
Laser – Paul Goodison Laser Radial – Charlotte Dobson; Lizzie Vickers
RS:X women – Bryony Shaw; Lucy Horwood
RS:X men – Nick Dempsey Tornado – Leigh McMillan-Will Howden; Rob Wilson-Mark Bulkeley
Yngling – Sarah Ayton-Sarah Webb-Pippa Wilson; Victoria Rawlinson-Emma Rawlinson-Sue Monson

For the full results and information, visithttp://www.skandiateamgbr.com