|
|
2007 International 420 Class Women's World Champions Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie
Upcoming events:
- 2008 Memberships now due - download a Membership Registration Form here NZ 420 ASSOC REGISTRATION
- Events on the Sailing Programme page.
420 World Championship, Athens, Greece, 22 - 31 July, 2008 - for results and online racing on the event website click hereRay Steele reports on Day 5, 3rd day of the Final Series - 3 more bullets for the kiwis in stronger winds
On a day when the land breeze gave the fleet its strongest conditions, gusts of 18 - 30 knots, Simon Cooke & Scott Illingworth produced their best performance recording a 9th and two wins in the Gold Open Fleet, to climb into fourth place overall. Paul Snow Hansen & Ben Goodwin kept things close also, with some good average scores to move into 6th place overall.
Other kiwis had some gear failures in at least one of the races, including a luckless Marcus & Finn who were in a 3rd place position 300 metres from finish when their rudder snapped. Frankie & David's gear failure resulted in a DNF, spoiling a good day with their best a 4th in the first race - they are 18th overall; Marcus & Finn are 25th overall; and Tom & Chris are 34th overall, their best today 18th.
In the womens fleet, only two races were sailed today, Sarah & Emma Berry won the first and Alexandra Maloney & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher providing a Kiwi quinella with a second in the same race. Alex & Bianca are in13th overall while Sarah & Emma are 16th.
The other Kiwi ladies held their positions from yesterday; Alex & Maddy in 25th overall with a 12th in the second race; and Emma & Gabby are in 38th with a 23rd in the second race.
The Open Silver Fleet only had one race before the Race Committee returned them to shore because of 'concerns for their safety'. The Ladies Silver Fleet stayed on the water and managed to complete their two races which raised eyebrows in the disillusioned Open Silver Fleet. Mike & Vicki maintained 13th place overall, with a 11th in the only race; Yelena & Andrew are in 26th with a 37th in todays race.
Simon summarised the day by saying ' it was good to see only 40 degree shifts today as opposed to 60 degree shifts' From Scott ' it was like a Takapuna offshore with some survival stuff out there... a podium is still possible but we have to do well tomorrow and the others have to not go so well'
Forecast for tomorrow is for stronger stuff. An earlier 11 am start, and hopefully the RC get another two races away - locals in first place in both fleets and not so good in heavy.
The final report may be late tomorrow so the Kiwis thank all for their support and look forward to returning home.
At the end of todays racing for the Open Fleet, Simon & Scott made up ground to lie in 7th place overall, their best today a 7th place; Paul & Ben made a significant recovery to be 10th overall - their best a !st in race one today; Frankie & David also improved to 17th overall, their best a 9th; Marcus and Finn moved up to 18th with their best result so far in the regatta, a 1st in the third race; Thomas & Chris are in 31st place, their best a 32nd.
In the Ladies Fleet, Alex M & Bianca are lying in 17th place overall with an 8th their best today; Sarah & Emma are in 18th, their best race a 13th; Alex D & Maddy are in 31st their best a 10th; and Emma & Gabby are 38th with a 21st today.
In the Silver Fleet, Mike & Vicki are in 16th place overall, best today a 22nd and Yelena & Andrew are 25th with an 8th today.
A couple of quotes from the Kiwi sailors:Paul Snow-Hansen: ' it was suppposed to be a typical Maltimi but the land didn't heat the winds enough to make it as strong as predicted. Big 30 plus degree oscillations making consistency key and taking each gain and being patient waiting for the next shift critical...'
On the ladies course, Alexandra Maloney said 'shifts were more consistent and persistent from the right in the last race. Most of the time you had to somehow stay in touch with the fleet and not get too greedy'
The coaches Geoff & Jim were overheard saying 'I wouldn't want to be racing in this today'.
So there it is, generally a positive day for Kiwis, some improvements, some consolidations and most important 'the fat lady is not yet warming up her vocals...'
Best regards. For detail results link to http://www.420worlds08.gr/
Since writing this report the top Italian crew, Mancinelli/De Felice, who came into the final series in first position have been granted redress which has put them into 2nd position overall, and moves Simon and Scott to 8th, and Paul and Ben to 11th. Unfortunately the event website doesn't seem to have any reports for the media so at this stage we don't know any more than what can be seen on the overall results.
First day of Gold Fleet racing for both Open and Ladies Championship and Silver Fleet races saw light conditions (6 - 12 knots) as the sea breeze struggled to overcome the land breeze off Athens. A reasonable chop added to the challenging conditions for most of the sailors as nearly all recorded at least one race they would consider a drop out of the three races for the Open Gold and Silver Fleet and the two races that managed to get completed on the Ladies Gold Fleet. The Kiwis generally struggled in these conditions trying to minimise the damage as best they could hoping for better results tomorrow. Most of the Kiwis felt that the breeze was filling from the right, and even though at times it looked better out that way, generally the left side of the course proved more rewarding...
It was the sort of day that if you dipped one boat off the start you ran the risk of dipping the entire fleet.
The European sailors scored well today, with the locals getting excited that a few of theirs are going well. Our sailors report that the locals seem to be able to sail through the chop better than us in the light airs - quite simply, they have had experience with these sorts of conditions all through their sailing so good on them.
At the end of the day's racing in the Open Fleet, Simon & Scott did best to stem the slide and were 13th overall, with a best place 16th; Tom & Chris averaged best of the day to move 16th place, best today a 6th; Marcus & Finn in 19th overall, best today 25th; Frankie & David 21st with a good 9th in the very difficult first race of the day; Paul & Ben are in 22nd overall, best today a 22nd.
In the Ladies races, a similar story for the Kiwis, with Sarah & Emma Berry holding the best position in 11th place, their best today a 12th; Alex M & Bianca in 17th with a 23rd today; Alex D & Maddy are in 33rd overall, best score today matching this position; and, Emma & Gabby in 36th with a best of 26th today.
In the Open Silver Fleet, Mike & Vicki had a resonable day placing 11th overall and scoring the highest of any Kiwi in a race today with a 4th in their second race. Yelena & Andrew had a best of 14th today to sit in 26th overall.
Detail results of scoring can be viewed by going to the event website www.420worlds08.gr
Still 7 or 8 more races in the regatta to go so the Kiwis have a chance to restore some of their results and climb back up the table. All send their regards to friends, families and supporters.
Another day of variable conditions at the former Olympic Sailing Venue, Athens with winds ranging from 10 - 20 knots throughout races and switching from 260 to 290. Some big gains and some big losses with all boats going hard to make the Gold Fleet, there was some close racing and tight mark roundings. Kiwis generally consolidated positions with all the Ladies teams making the Gold Fleet and five of the open fleet getting through.
Overall provisional results and best places from today's racing - Open Fleet; Paul Snow Hansen & Ben Goodwin fifth overall with a fifth and second but unfortunately black flagged in the last race; Simon Cooke & Scott Illingworth 12th overall with a win and 4th and another win scored OCS (Scott says he's glad to be sailing!); Marcus Hansen & Finn Drummond 16th overall with really consistent scoring today of 16th, 6th and a great 3rd; Frankie Lardies & David Hazard 19th overall with a 9th today; Tom Saunders & Chris Steele in 39th overall with a comeback 3rd in the last race. Mike Snow-Hansen & Viki Francis had a better day were 66th overall - their best a 6th; and Yelena Lee & Andrew Beetle not getting any breaks finishing 75th - these two will contest the silver fleet.
Ladies Fleet saw a great day from Alexandra Maloney & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher including a win and two fifth placings to move up sharply to 4th overall - they repelled in today's conditions; next are Sarah & Emma Berry who are 16th overall including a 3rd today; Alex Davies and Maddy Urry consolidated their position in 25th with a 9th today; Emma Goodwin and Gabby Warmsley sailed really hard to just make the cut line for the Gold fleet.
The pressure was on today and a lot of protests were dealt with by the jury. The competitors get a Lay day tomorrow before they carry their finishing position as their score through to the start of the Gold Fleet/Silver Fleet regatta. Hopefully a further 11 races are possible to sort out the championship. All the Kiwis are aware of the bad weather conditions at home and hope you are all well.
Next report Monday.
It is nearly 11 pm after the first days racing with the first three races completed in trying conditions. Both the Open Fleet and the Womens fleet were trying to qualify for the gold fleet which will be determined from overall positions after 6 races.
About 50 boats will make the gold Open fleet and the rest go into the silver fleet for a further 12 races. The ladies fleet will split at about 38 in each fleet. Kiwis featured prominently in several races throughout the day.
Summary of the first day, variable winds of between 2 knots to 20 knots, very shifty all day with race committee forced to abandon four races after 30 degree windshifts made the course unfair.
Throughout the day the wind direction shifted 100 degrees from 165 to 265, throwing a few waves in as well.
Quite a lot of boats damaged and a few rudder stocks destroyed throughout the day. The results were able to be followed nearly 'live' online on the regatta website www.420worlds08.gr or link through the NZ 420 website. Racing did not get completed until after 7 pm local.
Some of the Kiwis had a great day, Paul Snow-Hansen and Ben Goodwin leading the charge, with two bullets and a 12th to see them 2nd overall - a great result considering they had been sailing 29ers until last week at the Youth Worlds in Denmark.
In the second race of the second flight, the Kiwis made a great statement to the rest of the competitors by filling the first three places.
Other results, Simon Cooke and Scott Illingworth in 18th overall, Frankie Lardies and David Hazard 25th (another recent Youth World pairing), Marcus Hansen and Finn Drummond in 29th (including a 3rd place in the Kiwi Trifecta), Tom Saunders and Chris Steele 40th, Mike Snow-Hansen and Vicky Francis 65th, and Yelena Lee and Andrew Beetle in 77th.
In the Ladies Fleet, Emma and Sarah Berry lead the Kiwi challenge recording a grat win in race 2 and solid other races to lay 20th overall ahead of Alex Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher in 21st place (Alex and Bianca too have just competed in the 29ers at the Youth Worlds) including a 3rd in race 2.
Alex Davies and Maddy Urry are in 29th overall and Emma Goodwin and Gabby Warmsley are in 43rd place overall.
With three races left before the fleets split and the variety of conditions experienced, a better day tomorrow will see some of these sailors climbing up the rankings.
All Kiwis in good spirits, a few scrapes and bruises but otherwise good health. They all appreciate your support.
Report from Pete Saunders - team arrives in Athens
NZ 420 Team measured today with little or no drama, fastest measuring I have been involved with including any Optimist Worlds.
However... the officialdom continues which is irritating some supporters as, unless you are a registered coach or team leader, you are unable to get into the area where boats are stored, launched and retrieved. We had similar scenario in Switzerland with Optimist Worlds 3 years ago where parents/supporters were excluded from contact with sailors during pre-race preparation.
We are learning to go with the flow, they cross eyebrows when we enter their offices with our arms folded which has been regular of late!
The Kiwi sailors have been keeping a relatively low profile and relaxed approach to the main event. Geoff Woolley is doing a good job of keeping our sailors in a good mode and catering to the team as a whole, definitely worth while having a designated coach here, thanks to YNZ for contributing to Geoff's costs.
We also have Mike Drummond here, primarily here as parent of son Finn, but having his worldly experience in the team environment has been a real bonus as often he will put things into perspective by drawing on his personal sailing experience dealing with previous European campaigns and the Americas Cup.
Racing starts in earnest today (I must get to bed soon). Looking forward to Kiwis performing to the best of their abilities - the team is in good spirits.
Thanks to Christine Snow-Hansen and Caroline for her efforts in getting team organised before their departure.
Four Women's crews, and seven Open crews from New Zealand are taking part in the 420 Worlds to be held out of the Nautical Club of Tzitzifies, Kallithea, in Athens. Racing begins on Friday 25 July with a six race Qualification Series to decide gold and silver fleets, followed by a layday, finishing with an 11 race Final Series which ends on 31 July. For results and real-time online racing, go the the website link above - results will also be posted on this site sometime later each day.
For the International 420 Class news click the red, white and blue logo above left. We hope to receive a NZL team report daily which will be posted on this site.
EVENTS SCHEDULE
Tuesday 22 July 2008 Registration and measurement inspections
10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 23 July2008 Registration and measurement inspections
10:00 – 18:00
Opening ceremony 20:00
Thursday 24 July 2008 Registration and measurement inspections
10:00 – 18:00
Practice Race: warning signal 14:00
Friday 25 July 2008 Qualifying series 12:00
Saturday 26 July 2008 Qualifying series 12:00
Sunday 27 July 2008 Lay day
Monday 28 July 2008 Qualifying/Final series 12:00
Tuesday 29 July 2008 Qualifying/Final series 12:00
Wednesday 30 July 2008 Qualifying/Final series 12:00
Thursday 31 July 2008 Qualifying/Final series12:00
Last possible Warning Signal 16:00
Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony 20:00
NZL 2ND Volvo Team at ISAF Youth Worlds, Arhus, Denmark July, 2008 - for the event website click here
Left to right standing: Matt McCormick, Frankie Lardies, David Hazard, Paul Snow-Hansen, Cushla Hume-Merry, Josh Nixon, Bianca Barbarich, Jazmine Lynch, Blair Tuke
Left to right sitting: Ben Goodwin, Sam Meech and Alexandra Maloney
Our three 420 crews selected to represent NZ in the double-handed 29er and multi-hull SL16 classes have come to the end of the Youth Worlds in Arhus, Denmark. Paul and Ben, Alexandra and Bianca, Frankie and David have all put in very worthy performances at the event which has proved to be challenging. Both the girls and boys 29er sailors finished 4th overall, while Frankie and David finished 7th. All three crews brought in top individual race placings which contributed to New Zealand finishing 2nd in the Volvo Youth Team contest, behind GBR and just in front of Australia.
Prior to the event, the 29er sailors spent a week training with their coach and locals at Keil, Germany, while miulti-hull rep's Frankie and David travelled to France to train with the Turkish in the French designed Sirena (SL16).
In the 29er, Paul competed at the Youth Worlds of 2007 when he and Blair Tuke placed second, and Alexandra competed in the 29er Worlds this January - also with Blair - when they placed 6th. For crews Ben and Bianca, the Youth Worlds in Arhus has been their first regatta in a 29er following 3 months of fairly intensive training in Auckland. Despite their limited experience, both 29er crews sailed a strong regatta and were incontention for medals until the end. Alex and Bianca sailed consistently well throughout, with six 4th placings, a 1st and one placing outside the top 10. Paul and Ben had seven placings in the top three and while they finished strongly with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd on the final day the Argentinians put paid to their hopes by equalling these results and placing second overall. Both the 29er Girls and Boys event was won by GBR teams; the USA crew placed 3rd overall in the boys; the Dutch crew placed 2nd and the Australians third in the girls.
In the SL16 multi-hull Frankie and David faced an up hill battle with no boats of this class in New Zealand, instead they trained and raced in a variety of multi-hulls before leaving for Europe. In France they made their first acquaintance with the locally designed boat and had a few days of informal training with the Turkish team. The boys then made their way back to join the rest of the team in Germany and had to bide their time until they arrived at the event in Denmark. Frankie and David had three 2nd placings in the 16 boat fleet and did well to place 7th considering their very limited experience, not surprisingly the French won this event with South Africa putting in the strongest challenge to place 2nd, and GBR third.
Conditions were mostly gusty, shifty winds, with a short sharp wave, winds lightened a little in the last days of the regatta.
Winners of the the multi-hull section, Valentin Bellet and Romain Bellet from France racing in fresh conditions
NZL International 420 World Championship team news
The NZL 420 team has been training regularly during weekends in Auckland, with parents and crew members from Carterton, Napier, Tauranga and Whangarei showing their usual commitment and putting in a lot of miles before heading off to yet another world championship on the other side of the globe. With three of the 11 boat team taking training for the Youth Worlds in 29ers and various cats, 420 training numbers have been significantly reduced compared to the last few years.
The team is a mixture of experience and youth: with Simon Cooke and Scott Illingworth hoping to break through their 2nd placing gained at the previous two Worlds; experienced youngsters Emma and Sarah Berry looking to improve on their 4th position at the 2007 Worlds to take a place on the podium and also carrying back their trophy for youngest & best placed girls team. Experienced Bianca Barbarich-Bacher who placed 2nd in the last Worlds will find it interesting to compete with newcomer Alexandra Maloney (who placed 3rd at the 2007 Optimist Worlds) - just having competed in the Youth Worlds in the 29er in Denmark. Also straight from Denmark and the 29er will be 2008 National 420 Champs Paul Snow-Hansen and Ben Goodwin, and the SL16 sailors Frankie Lardies and David Hazard; Chris Steele, sailing with 2007 National 420 Champ Thomas Saunders, faces his first international competition after winning the Opti Worlds of 2007; youngest team sailor Vicki Francis is paired with experienced Mike Snow-Hansen who placed 7th at the 2007 Worlds; the only new combination who are also new to the 420 are Marcus Hansen (6th 2006 Opti Worlds) and Finn Drummond who have put in some serious hours on the winter waters of Auckland; taking part in their second 420 World Champs are the combinations of Yelena Lee and Andrew Bettle, Alexandra Davies and Maddy Urry; another new-comer and young team member is Emma Goodwin (sister of Ben) who combines with Gabby Walmsley who competed in the 2007 Worlds as a helm.
420's at the 2008 Youth Trials, April 22-26, Sandspit YC, Algies Bay
Nominations for the 2008 Youth team in the double handed classes were decided at the Youth Trials sailed out of Algies Bay over the first week of the secondary school holidays. Three out of the four days of racing were generally very light and shifty, while the final day delivered brisk wind, choppy seas and rain.
Paul Snow-Hansen and Ben Goodwin went into the second and final round of the trial with 1 point having won the Nationals, a repeat performance at the Youth Trials put them well on top and they will now go on to represent NZ in the 29er class at the Youth Worlds in Arhus, Denmark, this July. Paul and Ben sailed consistently in variable conditions, they took four bullets and had one placing outside the top 4 and finished with a 12 point margin over second place. Frankie Lardies and David Hazard put together a good performance including one bullet and placed second overall, they are one of two nominations for the catamaran class at the Youth Worlds. One point behind, in third place overall, and with two bullets were Thomas Saunders and Chris Steele, fourth were Marcus Hansen and Finn Drummond who sailed consistently.
Going into the Youth Trials, Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher were on 2 points so far as the girls' double handed selection was concerned. Finishing fith overall with one bullet and first girls, they go on to be the 29er representatives, Emma and Sarah Berry came into this trial with 4 points, they placed sixth overall - one place and one point behind, an OCS proving to be an expensive mistake.
For full results go to the Regatta & Results page.
For photos of the 420's on the Sandspit YC site, please click here.
Day 3: Paul Snow-Hansen and Ben Goodwin - click on any of the photos to link to more
Day 3: Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher approach the top mark
2008 Nationals, New Plymouth, 20 - 24 March 2008
Day Four: The final two races were sailed in the lightest wind of the series and a mist of rain. At the beginning of racing Paul and Ben had a lead of 8 points over Simon and Scott - this was cemented with a second placing behind fellow youth sailors Frankie Lardies and David Hazard, with Simon and Scott coming in third and finishing second overall. Emma and Sarah Berry came across the line in seventh, three places ahead of Alexandra and Bianca and keeping the competition for the first placed youth girls team alive.
The final race was finished at the bottom mark, after only two legs sailed in 2 knot winds. Bianca and Alexandra won this final race and took the top girls trophy, and third place overall. Second placing in the race went to Thomas Saunders and Sam Marshall and third to local sailors Gye Simkin and Paul Moriarty.
Full results - click here
1st Paul Snow-Hansen/Ben Goodwin Wakatere/Napier 22.0
2nd Simon Cooke/Scott Illingworth KYC 31.0
3rd Alexandra Maloney/Bianca Barbarich MBSC/Kerikeri 49.0
4th Frankie Lardies/David Hazard GBC/Sandspit 59.0
5th Sarah Berry/Emma Berry Takapuna BC 59.0
6th Mike Snow-Hansen/Vicki Francis Wakatere/MBSC 66.0
7th Marcus Hansen/Finn Drummond MBSC/WCC 67.0
8th Yelena Lee/Andrew Bettle MBSC 70.0
9th Thomas Saunders/Sam Marshall TYPBC/Howick 72.0
10th James Turner/George Kool MBSC/LTYC/GBC 77.0
Day Three: Four races were held on third day of the Nationals. The light wind swung left throughout the day, and the sea state was sloppy with a large swell. Current leaders of the regatta, Paul Snow-Hansen and Ben Goodwin began the day well with a first, with brother Mike Snow-Hansen and young crew Vicki Francis second. Youth girls Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher came in third, which was the beginning of a good day on the points table for this recently formed crew who are competing with Emma and Sarah Berry for the double handed Youth team position.
Conditions became progressively lighter through the day with quite difficult sailing for all. Veteran 420 sailors, Simon Cooke and Scott Illingworth are pleased to see such a high standard in a relatively young and inexperienced fleet and feel it signals a good future for the class in New Zealand. Going into the final day Simon and Scott will be chasing the top position with a 4 point difference (with another drop) between themselves and leaders Paul and Ben who are currently the top male youth crew and have sailed a very solid regatta in a variety of conditions.
Day Two Contrary to predicions, the wind got up during the second day of racing with 18 gusting 20 knots, however then fell away to nothing as the boats returned to shore. Paul and Ben retain their lead with consistent sailing but Simon and Scott drew closer with 2 first placings and despite an OCS. Emma and Sarah Berry proved their skills yet again with a first and two top six placings.
Day One of the Nationals was held in very light winds and flat seas on the coast of New Plymouth. 31 boats took part in the first three races of the series, at the end of the day Paul Snow-Hansen and Ben Goodwin have the lead with a1, 1 & 3; Simon Cooke and Scott Illingworth 2nd with 2, 4 & 2; Marcus Hansen and Finn Drummond are 3rd with 5, 13 & 1.
2008 Worlds team Selection Policy - click here
NZ 420 Association boats for charter - You may be aware that the Association owns 2 Ziegelmayer 420's which are available for charter. The main purpose of the boats is to grow the class through making them available for short term use - please click here to read the amended Association's Boat Charter Policy. Please contact Bryan Davies, email: cosmographics@xtra.co.nz if you wish to make an enquiry.
Auckland Champs, Howick YC - Beautiful end-of-summer weather for the weekend in Auckland - with high temperatures and light afternoon seabreezes on Saturday, changing to a light shifty south westerly on Sunday afternoon. Racing was delayed on both days as the race committee waited for the wind to arrive. Sixteen boats took part traveling from Auckland, Napier, Tauranga and Sandspit - their last chance to race before the Nationals in another two weeks. Thomas Saunders and Chris Steele had a good weekend with a total of 15 points for the series; Paul Snow-Hansen and Ben Goodwin finished second on 18 points; Marcus Hansen and Finn Drummond were just one point behind in third,19pts. For full results go to the Regattas & Results page
Auckland Champs Howick March 2008
North Island Champs, New Plymouth - The first day was blown out with near gale conditions, as it was over much of the country, but NP Yacht Club managed to get enough races in on Sunday to put a series together. A large swell caught some of the 27 crews without their sea legs, but Alex Maloney and Bianca Barbarich didn't seem to mind - they came through in first, with a consistent 2,1,4,3 giving them a 6 pt clearance from the next crew, Susannah Pyatt teamed up with Ben Goodwin and took 2nd place, Josh Porebski and Mathew Vincent were just one point behind in 3rd. For full results go to the Regattas & Results page.
Sail Auckland '08
Day 2 of Sail Auckland - Emma & Sarah negotiate the busy waters. Click photo above for more
Day 2 - Marcus Hansen and Finn Drummond pull ahead of Wade Tresadern and Ben Goodwin
Great to see twenty 420's racing in this year's Sail Auckland off Kohimarama Beach. Typically, the conditions were shifty, pretty fresh and featured lots of extra traffic - ferrys, keelers, motor boats, even a 100 ft plus super yacht, going around and through the course.... not to mention the class photographer dropping the old boat's sails a bit close to the finish (sorry James and George, you really didn't need that).
Newcomers to the class, Marcus Hansen and Finn Drummond have been rewarded for their consistently good results including four 1st placings over four days of racing coming first overall (28pts), followed by Napier pair Wade Tresadern and Ben Goodwin (27pts) who had a great last day with two bullets, with heavy weather experts Emma and Sarah Berry one point behind in third (38pts) and first girl crew. For results go to the Sail Auckland 08 website.
February '08 News
5-02-08 - Welcome to the new members, and familiar faces, who are beginning to register with the association - Sylvie Admore, Andrew Bettle, Emma and Sarah Berry, Jack Blathwayt, Sam Bullock, Finn Drummond, Marcus Hansen, Marie Kent, George Kool, Alexandra Maloney, Chris Steele, Thomas Saunders, Chris and Oliver Staub, Luke Stevenson, Bianca Barbarich-Bacher and James Turner. Well done to those of you who have recently competed in the P Class and Starling Nationals at Torbay, or the 29er and 470 Worlds in Melbourne - it's great to see such a strong group of sailors coming into the class.
As well as Sail Auckland we have lots of other sailing coming up - and if you're planning on trying out for the 2008 Worlds Team it would be good to get to as many regattas as you can. There's nothing like the pressure of racing to hone those skills, not to mention the fun of competing. March is a very busy month - the North Islands Champs are at New Plymouth, the 1st and 2nd - a good practice run for the Nationals; the Auckland School Secondary School champs, Thurs 6 & Friday 7 are at Wakatere BC, ; the following Sat 8 & Sunday 9 we have the Auckland Champs - they're at Howick YC NOT Eastern Beach as previously shown on our programme; this is followed by our Nationals, again at New Plymouth, Easter Friday 21 - 24, this is the selection regatta for the 2008 Worlds team going to Athens, Greece - and YNZ also designates this regatta as part of selection for the 2008 Youth team; and the month ends with the North Harbour Champs on Sat 29th, Wakatere BC - more good training, especially if you make the Worlds team. That's 11 days of sailing.....
The 420 Assoc. AGM is held during the Nationals - it's a good time for parents to start thinking about whether they could contribute something to the class by joining the committee. I know some of us have spent years contributing, and in the 420 Class it's sometimes a point when parents feel they should step back and let the sailors drive it themselves - unfortunately it doesn't usually quite work out that way. By the time sailors have been in a double handed class for about 2 or 3 years they've more ready to be independent, but most of the younger sailors still need support. It's a whole new game learning to share decisions in a boat, co-ordinating training, decisions over gear purchases, travel, money etc etc not to mention sailing the boat. We also find the 420 Association is asked to help run some of the regattas out of AK where they simply don't have the numbers for patrol boats, and onshore administration.
Well done to former 2 x 420 World Champions, Carl Evans and Peter Burling, who have been selected to represent New Zeland at the 2008 Olympics, sailing the 470. Peter and Carl have just returned from competing in Sail Melbourne (top 10) and the 470 World Champs, also in Melbourne, where they placed 11th in a highly competitive fleet.
That's it for now - I'm looking forward to seeing the 420's out on the water and hopefully get some nice photos to send out in the next newsletter, and post on this web site. Please email me any news (and photos already sized to 72dpi and 300pix high) you'd like to have included in the newsletters - Christine
420 Sailors shine at the 2007 Yachting New Zealand Excellence Awards
The NZ 420 World Champions for 2006 & 2007, Carl Evans and Peter Burling, were joint winners (with 2007 World Opti Champion, Chris Steele) of the Young Sailor of the Year division of the YNZ awards this year. Jo Aleh and Poly Powrie, Women's fleet World Champions at the 2007 Worlds, received a Merit Award; the NZ 420 team who had 6 boats in the top 10 of both the Open Gold fleet and Women's fleet at Takapuna Beach this January also received a Merit Award.
Also on the finalist list of nominees for Young Sailor of the Year were 420 sailors Paul Snow-Hansen and Blair Tuke who qualified in the 420 and then sailed the 29er to silver medal position at the Youth Worlds; Jason and Thomas Saunders who won both the 420 Nationals, the Tanner and Tauranga Cup (Thomas) and the Starling Nationals (Jason). Paul and Blair, Emma and Sarah Berry, Ben Goodwin and Tim Coltman were also part of the 2007 Youth World team which received a Merit Award for their individual placings and team placing of 3rd country.
Team New Zealand received overall Sailor of the Year. Speaking to the capacity crowd at the Royal Yacht Squadron, skipper Dean Barker said he was humbled by the achievements of his fellow nominees Tom Ashley, Jo Aleh, Peter Burling/Carl Evans, Barbara Kendall, Andrew Murdoch, NZ Int 420 team, Chris Steele and the standard of all the young sailors attending the ceremony.
Junior European Championships, Medemblick, Holland: 8 - 16 AugustAlthough Justin Liu and Sherman Cheng (SINGAPORE) won the gold fleet, runners up Tom Gillard and Sam Breary (GBR) became the International 420 Class Men Junior European Champions 2007. Tina Lutz and Susann Beucke from Germany are the new International 420 Class Ladies Junior Champions.
- 1 SIN - Liu/Cheng, 19 points
- 2 GBR - Gillard/Brearey, 24 points
- 3 GBR - Moss/Muskett, 41 points
- 4 FRA - Soler/Skoczek, 55 points
- 5 ITA - Maccari/Rocco, 65 points
- 6 GER - Lutz/Beucke, 70 points - 1st female crew
- 30 NZL Susannah Pyatt and Danielle Bowater - 4th female crew
European Open 24 July - 2 August
For full results click here.
Final placings: for NZL sailors were Yelena and Andrew ,Open Silver fleet 19th - their highlights were a 1st and 7th placing during the final series; Susannah and Danielle, Women's fleet 17th with three top ten placings of 9th, 4th and they finished with a 2nd.
- Open fleet Gold:
1 Edoardo Mancinelli Scotti / Lorenze de Felice ITALY
2 Antonio Pereira / Afonso Prieto PORTUGAL
3 Simo Sivitz Kosuta / Jas Farneti
Women's fleet:
1 Claire Walsh / Jasmine Husband GREAT BRITAIN
2 Katerina & Sofia Kaitatzidou GREECE
3 Giulia Zappacosta / Sara Zribi ITALY
For reports from Linda Bettle click here
420 sailors in NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team finish on a high and win silver at the ISAF Worlds, Canada 2007
The 2007 youth Worlds have come to a close on Lake Ontaria. Double-handed crews for the NZL Yachting Trust Youth team were selected from the 420 fleet this year, being the most active youth double-handed class in the country and taking advantage of the young sailors recent racing experience during the 420 Worlds held in Takapuna this January.29er representatives Paul Snow-Hansen and Blair Tuke brought home silver after maintaining 2nd place throughout the regatta behind the Danish crew; Hobie representatives TIm Coltman and Ben Goodwin came in a very respectable 6th, finishing strongly with a 3rd placing in the final race; and Emma and Sarah Berry came up a place on the final day to finish 9th and in the top half of the girls' 29er fleet, they also enjoyed a win earlier in the regatta.
These are particularly good results considering all crews were new to the 29er and Hobie 3 months ago following their selection from the 420 Nationals and Youthsail in Wellington in April. Yachting New Zealand has supported the dedicated double-handed crews with weekend coaching and a number of clinics, including one on Lake Taupo to give the sailors fresh water experience.
Conditions varied from very light, to thunderstorms, and finished with a blast - 22 knots with peaks of 27 knots in the final race. A day of racing was lost half way through the regatta due to light and fickle winds combined with thunderstorms, which was a source of frustrations for all crews within reach of positions ahead on the table.
The 29er sailors were fortunate to be able to attend the USA 29er Nationals in Santa Cruz enroute to the competition - their first experience of racing in the skiff. Friendly advice from Californian locals and support from John Morgan helped identify and iron out a few issues, the boys' 5th and girls' 12th overall placings was a confidence booster before the main event. Ben and Tim were also able to sail once with a Hobie fleet during Takapuna Boating Club's closing day regatta, and were lucky enough to have the help of experienced cat sailor, and President of YNZ, Rex Sellers at the event.
The team finished third overall behind Australia and Denmark - well done to all the sailors, and thank you NZL Yachting Trust and YNZ, Marty, Sara, and Mat.
For full results, podcasts and more photos go to VOLVO YOUTH WORLDS
Paul and Blair bring home silver from the ISAF Youth Worlds - onEdition photography
An exhilirating final race for Tim and Ben - onEdition photography
NZL Trust Youth Team - onEdition photography
Emma and Sarah Berry won race 7, and finished 9th overall in the 18 boat fleet - onEdition photography
Youth Team Trials 2007, Worser Bay Boating Club, Wellington
Out of the the four days scheduled, only two were sailed due to... for more click hereNZL Yachting Trust Youth Team double handed selections
1st Women - Emma and Sarah Berry, sailing 29er
1st Open - Paul Snow-Hansen and Blair Tuke, sailing 29er
2nd Open - Ben Goodwin and Tim Coltman, sailing Hobie Cat
Full results on Regattas & Results page
Paul Snow-Hansen and Blair Tuke - Youthsail
Tim Coltman and Ben Goodwin - Youthsail
2007 Nationals, Evans Bay Boating Club, Wellington
Day 4 Thomas and Jason Saunders take out another National title
Racing finally began today in light winds around 1.45 pm, the Saunders brothers from Tauranga have won the regatta after a clear 1st placing and a 4th. Snow-Hansen and Tuke went into the day 2 points up, but this was.... for more click hereNational Champions Open Class - Thomas and Jason Saunders of Tauranga
National Champions Women's Class - Susannah Pyatt and Danielle Bowater
Full results on Regattas & Results page
Above: Thomas and Jason Saunders come to the top mark in race 10 at Evans Bay
Above: Paul Snow-Hansen and Blair Tuke lead race 9
Above: Nichola and Michael Trudgeon lead a group to the top mark in race 10For more photos click here
Left to right: Simon Cooke, Scott Illingworth, Carl Evans, Peter Burling, Rowan Swanson and Bruce Kennedy
Carl Evans and Peter Burling have successfully defended their title winning the 420 World Championships for 2007 being sailed off Takapuna on Auckland's North Shore. Peter and Carl's consistency through the wide variety of conditions Takapuna offered throughout the series and four first placings put them 3 points ahead of Simon and Scott.
The New Zealand team has dominated the event from start to finish in the Open and the Women's events, both fleets stacked with top class international competition. 17 nations and five continents are represented at the World Championship event staged in New Zealand for the first time. President of the International 420 Association, Nino Shueli was in Takapuna for the regatta. "We had 17 countries with a very strong fleet, but the New Zealanders in their home waters gave us a first top three in both fleets."
Simon Cooke and Scott Illingworth from Auckland took second place in the Open fleet, as they did six months ago in Spain's Canary Islands. The pair had four race wins in the twelve race series and sailed exceptionally well in the blustery conditions of the final two days.
Rowan Swanson and Bruce Kennedy, from Wellington and Tauranga respectively rounded out the regatta with a 5th and a 7th in today's racing and win bronze. A great performance from a partnership formed following the Canary Island Worlds in August 2006.
Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie became the Women's 420 World Champions for 2007, after establishing an unassailable lead at the finish of the penultimate day of racing.
Olivia Powrie and Jo AlehShelley Hesson and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher won the first race of the final day and created a four point buffer over team mates Sarah Bilkey and Rosie Sargisson who placed fourth. A second in the final race sealed the silver medal for Shelley Hesson and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher, who finished with 40 points. Sarah Bilkey and Rosie Sargisson were not far behind finishing with 48 points and winning the bronze. Wellington youth sailors and sisters Emma and Sarah Berry took the fourth place in the strong NZ Women's team.
The entire NZ 420 team are to be congratulated on their performances on and off the water. On behalf of this team we thank Mat Brown, Geoff Woolley, Mark Overington and Ian Nealy for giving on-the-water support and coaching during the regatta.
We would like to thank all the supporters and parents who helped on and off the water over that long period of racing- we can't do it without you. Also thanks to Takapuna Boating Club, especially Janet Watkins, Sara Winther, Grant Cunningham, and race officers John and LInda Parish, who all put in an enormous amount of work and ran a very successful event.
FULL RESULTS WOMEN'S FLEET
FULL RESULTS GOLD FLEET
FULL RESULTS SILVER FLEETCLICK HERE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE CLOSING CEREMONY
CLICK HERE FOR ARCHIVED NEWS FROM THE WORLDS AND LAST SEASON
