Friday, 4 January 2013
Cadet Worlds Day 4
Thursday dawned with a warm northerly wind blowing a constant 20 to 25 knots and Team GBR keen as mustard to get out there. Onshore Hobart at 42° south sweltered in heatwave conditions, with temperatures of 33° C.
Race 9 started in an average wind reading of 22 knots with gusts up to 33 knots. The wind was consistent in direction but not so in strength, oscillating between 12 knots to 33 knots! However the race got away on time and from the start the GBR boats were on the front foot with Corby/Keen leading followed by White/Wootton and Wilson/Fitzsimmons in the top 10 round the windward mark.
After the lead changing a couple of times in what was an extremely windy and exciting race Corby/Keen finished 3rd with White/Wootton in 8th and Wilson/Fitzsimmons 11th.
Race 10 saw the Brits challenging at the front of the fleet again in 25 knots plus. Corby sailed his best race of the week finishing just under two minutes ahead of the next boat. With 4 boats finishing this time in the top 10 and Speirs/Bates putting in their best performance yet, the Brits really enjoyed the windy conditions.
The wind continued to blow hard and with gusts coming through at 43knots the race officer abandoned for the day.
Overall positions at the end of day 4 Corby/Keen 3rd, White Wootton 8th, Wilson/Fitzsimmons 11th, Sutton/Anderson 16th, Yale/Chatterton, Barr/Barr , D'Arcy/Barr , Speirs/Speirs and Speirs/Bates.
The forecast is not looking great for tomorrow we are hoping for two quick ones before too much wind and too much sun!
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
Cadet Worlds Day 3
With a steady 12kt breeze - a first in itself, the race officer was keen to get the fleet on the water.
A clean start saw race 7 led by Corby/Keen at the first windward with 4 GBR boats in the top 10. Holding the lead all the way Corby/Keen brought home the first GBR win of the event, with Wilson/Fitzsimmons 8th and Yale/Chatterton 15th.
Race 8 with a bit more breeze commenced cleanly with Wilson/Fitzsimmons taking 2nd place at the first windward followed by D'Arcy/Barr 6th. With a wind shift favoring the left, places were hard to gain, resulting in Wilson/Fitzsimmons 8th, Corby/Keen 19th and White/Wootton 23rd.
Overall positions at the end of day 3, Corby/Keen 3rd, Wilson/Fitzsimmons 13th, White/Wootton 14th, Sutton/Anderson 17th, Yale/Chatterton 28th, Barr/Barr 29th, D'Arcy/Barr 38th, Speirs/Speirs 44th, Speirs/Bates 48th
The team also had a huge boost this week with a letter from HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York showing his support for the team.
We are all looking forward to two more days of racing with a bit more breeze forecast.
New Year's Day
Taking a break from the water for the day people chose to take the opportunity to see a bit of the island. Here are some of the things we have been up to!
Early nights for all though as tomorrow is a big day!!
New Year's Eve
Celebrating New Year Eve at one of the most famous parties in the world is a unique experience and team GBR celebrated in style. Some took off into town to watch the fireworks from the dock. Others got together for a BBQ and party at the sailing club.
Everyone grateful that New Year's day is a lay day!!
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Cadet Worlds Day 2
Monday started with a strong northerly, gusting 37 knots resulting in the race officer holding the fleet ashore for an hour.
Race 4 was dominated by team GBR with Corby/Keen 2nd, White/Wootton 5th and Wilson/Fitzsimmons 9th.
Race 5 saw gusts increasing in force and unpredictability. Team GBR performed well again with Corby/Keen 4th, White/Wootton 7th and Wilson/Fitzsimmons 9th.
The afternoon race offered really challenging conditions with the wind coming down the mountain in unpredictable bullets challenging team GBR. Corby/Keen fought back from 18th at the first windward to finish 7th with Sutton/Anderson 19th and Wilson/Fitzsimmons 23rd.
Overall a good day for GBR team with White, Corby and Wilson all managing top 10 results.
Two boats in the top 10 and 4 in the top 15 at the half way mark it is all to play for.
Overall positions at the half way point Corby/Keen 3rd, White/Wootton 8th, Sutton/Anderson 13th, Wilson/Fitzsimmons 15th, Yale/Chatterton 30th, Barr/Barr 35th, D'Arcy/Barr 38th, Speirs/Speirs 43rd, Speirs/Bates 46th.
Finally a link to the local newspaper that has two great GBR photos:
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Cadet Worlds Day 1
The cadets started the first morning race in a very welcome 12 knot south westerly, and all was looking good until true to local form the wind died, turned 180 degrees and changed the final beat into a run with spinnakers.
After many following false starts and another beat that turned into a run the race officer decided to stop for lunch with one in the bag and an opportunity for a power nap! GBR Team coach also thought that was a sound idea....but didn't realise the rest of the team thought so too!
The afternoon turned out to be a lot more successful with two races run in a north westerly 15 to 20 knot breeze.
Race 2 results White/Wootton10th, Sutton/Anderson 13th, Wilson/Fitzsimmons 20th
Race 3 results Sutton/Anderson 5th, Corby/Keen 6th,Wilson/Fitzsimmons 9th
The Ukrainians dominated convincingly on the first day, sitting first and second overall, but the Pomms have 3 boats in the top ten so not a bad start.
The Pomms Pimms was well received by all after a long day on the water. Thank you to the lovely ladies who organised and hosted a 'quintessentially English' cocktail hour on the lawns of the sailing club over looking the river. The evening was much appreciated by all.
Worlds Measuring & Opening Ceremony
Measurement went smoothly for all today. A brilliant system set up by the guys here at Sandy Bay with International Class measurer Bruno van Hoof supported by Australian class measurers meant that the GBR team was measured and registered in little over an hour.
With winds coming from the west it was blowing a hoolie and forecast 30 to 35 knots. The GBR team elected not to sail to prevent gear failure and ultimately the race officer abandoned sailing for the day.
Some took advantage of the free time heading into Hobart to soak up the atmosphere, a beer and an ice cream while taking a closer look at the Sydney Hobart winning boat Wild Oats.
The opening ceremony was a really inspiring occasion. All the competitors paraded round Sandy Bay arriving at the marquee. The ceremony was opened by the Governor of Tasmania Peter Underwood accompanied by his wife, the Sandy Bay commodore Jill Abel and Bruno van Hoof.
We were reminded that the 2012 world champion will be awarded in the 100th year anniversary of the birth of Jack Holt the Cadet designer himself!
The Cadet Oath of Allegiance was taken by Australian National Champion Sam Tiedemann endorsing the code of conduct observed internationally by the class.
The British team really looked the part with special thanks to John Wilson and Empowered Systems for the ceremony team shirts.
Hoping for fair winds and some decent racing to start the event.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)