Have been chockers with either work or family activities for the past months.

Hamilton Isalnd Race Week on the RP66, Loki was not a great one. the boat was optimised towards the heavier breezes, but it was a very, very light week. We were slow when the wind was below 10 knots (which was 90% of the time and we were very sticky in the really light. A good experience though. However, one design is the way to go.

In November I joined the BMW Oracle team for the Louis Vuitton event in Nice, France. It was a good event, sailied in America’s Cup class yachts. a great learning experience for me to get back into the AC scene after being away since 1992. I was acting in a coaching / support role for the team. Heaps of talent there. The team had a disappointing result, which reflected their split resources with the impending multihull Deed-of-Gift America’s Cup match coming up in Feb.. But for me, it was a great oppurtunity and a massive learning experience.

December was full of coaching and sailing work at home in Sydney. Mainly coaching Etchells, the 18ft skiff and Farr40’s, as well as sailing Etchells and a Mumm30 at the Rolex Regatta.

New Years eve was spent overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge at Guy Stening’s house.

Today the Etchells Nationals start and we are getting ready. i am sailing on the bow, with John Bertrand on the helm and Tom Slingsby in the middle. We are at Lake Macquarie, north of Sydney.

Anyway, life is good.

Standing By. Lake Macquarie.

I have just attended my 9th Star Worlds. However this time it was in a coaching role. I was working with the Kiwi team of Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk.

It was a successful trip, with the boys finishing second, behind class stalwarts and deserving winners, George Szabo and Rick Peters of the USA.

The regatta was tight. Winds were generally light and unstable. The current on the race track and the wind trend made the course very much a one-way track. Szabo and Peters went hard right on 17 out of 17 beats. The top five of Szabo, Pepper, Grael (Lars), Schlonski and Campbell would not have been on many people’s lists before the regatta. The favourites (Loof, Schiedt, Mendelblatt etc) all had their moments, but also recorded big scores in some races.

Georgie and Rick were very popular winners. George works for Quantam sails, which dominate the Star market. He is forever helping the fleet out with tips. Rick has worked within the Star class for many years, either delivering boats or fixing keels. George narrowly missed selection for the US team for the China Olympics.

For me, the chance to work with Hamish and Craig was a highlight. Hamish won the worlds in 2006 with Carl Williams and is a great natural talent. Craig won Olympic Silver in the Finn in 1992 and since then has been at the top end of the America’s Cup. This european season has been a great foundation for their london Olympic campaign.

I have posted some pics of the Worlds trip here.

A quirky thing also happened when I was away. I became the number one ranked Star crew in the world. Sounds impressive?? Well, it happens that I did one event (Holland) with my mate, Flavio Marazzi of Switzerland. Flavio has put a lot of time into the class and has recorded very impressive results over this period. He was awarded with the worlds number one ranking. I happened to be in the right place at the right time for a change. Anyway, it’s great to share something like this in any circumstances with a bloke like Flavio.

So, it’s goodbye Europe for another year. I have spent nearly ten weeks here in two trips this northern summer. I spend a week back with the family, before heading off to Hamilton Island for Race Week, where I am sailing aboard Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki.

Happy to report that the reason for no blogging is that things have been busy for the past couple of months. i am currently sitting in Frankfurt airport, waiting to board the plane home after an epic 7 week trip in europe. The year was looking decidedly quiet back in April, but the europe trip saw a few events string together for me and I have not had a day off the whole time I have been in Europe.

First up was racing in the Star in the Holland Regatta with Flavio Marazzi of Switzerland. Flavio has been 4th at the last two Olympics. it was a privelige to sail with him. I learnt heaps, including some new swear words in German-Swiss. We came 4th (he hates 4th) out of approx 25 boats, but were only 2 points out of second place. A good experience and great to have the oppurtunity to jump back in the class for the first time since the Olympics last August.

Then it was off to Sardinia for one month for two activities. The first engagement was to take on the role of tactician for Lang Walker aboard the massive Kokomo superyacht. This boat is 170 feet long and is 350 tonnes (plus fuel and wine – to quote Lang). I have posted pics and photos here. Going from hanging out over the side of the star in freezing Holland to piloting the superyacht around the pituresque islands around Porto Cervo required some adjustment. We sailed two regattas. The average size of the crew was 50 people. We had a great time.

The day after the superyachts finished, I tacked over to the coaching role with team Transfusion for the Farr40 Worlds – also in Porto Cervo. This saw us train and generally prepare for eight days. Then the worlds were a four-day affair. Our owner and steerer, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis had never been to an international sailing event before, so this was a new experience for him. We came out of the blocks fast and were fourth after day one, including winning the last race of that day. Going into the last day, the boys were placed 5th, but unfortunately the last two races were poor ones for us. We toppled to 8th place, missing 6th by only two points. All in all it was a great experience for Guido and the guys in what is a long term campaign for the worlds in Sydney in 2011. Lots of things learned technically and heaps learned about how to best approach events like these. The Italians were very strong as expected, but the Worlds were won for the third time by Jimmy Richardson’s team aboard Barking Mad. I have posted some pics of team Transfusion here.

From Porto Cervo, it was a dash north to Kiel, Germany to do a week of coaching with the Star crew of Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk. Between these two guys, there are several World championships in classes such as the Star, Laser, Finn, Farr40, Mumm30, as well as an Americas Cup win and an Olympic Silver for Craig. To beasked to help them in the Star was an honour for me. The week went very well. It was a build-up for the guys towards the Europeans, which is being held in Kiel and also the Worlds, which are being held in Sweden during early August. Some happy snaps of the boys here.

So, now it’s back to be a Dad for a few weeks. Can’t wait!

Things have been quiet since the Etchells Worlds in Melbourne. Work has consisted of helping the Farr40 team Transfusion prepare for their Worlds in Sardinia, some etchells coaching on the harbour, working on various Stars at our little Pittwater fleet and starting the planning for the Gotta Love It 7 team for next year’s 18 footer season. i have also done some days as coach for the CYCA’s Youth Sailing Academy. So, keeping busy, without being out of control.

It’s been an opportunity to spend some time with each of the kids and be a part of the family. This is something I missed out on in the years and months leading up to the Olympics last year.

Been doing a fair amount of bike riding, mainly with Twirler in the magnificent Kuringai national park on the west side of Pittwater. I also bought a paddle ski and have been getting to the point where I do more paddling than swimming (very unstable). It’s nice to get out on the water and do a workout that balances out the bike-riding a bit.

Off to Europe for the best part of six weeks very soon. On the agenda is Holland Regatta in the Star (with Flavio Marazzi of Switzerland). Then sailing on Lang Walker’s superyacht Kokomo in two regatta in Sardinia. Finally, the Transfusion boys arrive to sardinia and I work with them as coach for their worlds. Back home early July. not many plans beyond that, other than sailing with Stephen Ainsworth and Cameron Miles aboard Loki for Hamilton Island Race Week in late August.

Thats it for now.

Jason Muir’s Queensland team of Paul, Bucky and Matty did a fantastic job of sailing a very composed and consistent event and won with a race to spare. Going into the second last race, we held the event lead by a point or two. We had a wonderful start in the race, heading to the left side, but unfortunately for us, the wind went right slowly by a factor of 15 degrees and we were in the 30’s at the first mark. On the run and the next beat, we needed to throw the dice a little to get back into a point where we could at least challenge going into the last race, but as is usual in these situations, we went backwards with each throw to the side we worked. We finished 32nd and the Jason’s team came 8th. Regatta over. Well done to the Queenslanders! We also dropped a place further to 3rd overall, with Team Barry from Melbourne overtaking us. These Gen Xers (or is is it Y…. stuffed if I know…anyway, they are whipper-snappers of about 30 something years old) sailed a nice event to cap off many years campaigning together in the Etchells. Well done to Damien, Sloth, Andy and Wareboy.

Basically, the Black Flag start disqualification mid-regatta cost us the breathing space of any room for error. Jason and his team made no big errors and were always there. End of story.

To sail with JB and Ben in both Adelaide and Melbourne was something I will always treasure. JB is someone I have always had a large amount of respect for. That level of respect went up a lot yesterday when I witnessed how well he responded to the tough day we had when the dream of winning the 09 worlds ended. He is a class act and a wonderful role-model within our sport. Ben, as we all know is the most decorated sailor of the modern era. However, i got to see him operate close-up. What an absolute professional and polished guy he is. An absolute honour for me to be associated with these guys….John and Rasa opened their home and their hearts to both Ben and I and also to my little family. Wonderful people and a fantastic chemistry in our wider crew family that also included Ernie Lawrence and of course (in the days prior to the event) the world’s best sailing coach, Victor Kovalenko.

My final word is to say that from all of these sailing events there is a lot of silver-ware that the winners carry home. However the thing we ALL walk away with is the memories of who we sailed with, who we sailed against, who ran the event and how we each interacted with all three of these entities on AND off the water. In that sense, I have been a big winner, as I will only ever have positive memories of the 2009 Etchells worlds on every count. Well Done RBYC, the huge team of volunteers and the Melb Etchells Fleet.

Over and out from Melb. Time to resume the real business in life of wrestling with three rug-rats who put real perspective into my life!

Dog.

More breeze today, which was good for us, as we seem to go well in more wind and it also takes some of the “lottery” element out of play that can sometimes occur in the lighter breeze. However, it was from the north and anyone that knows the top end of Port Phillip, knows that the northerly is a fickle breeze.

We started ok near the middle but took an early opportunity to get to the right. It took a long time for the right side to show promise, but when it did, it paid pretty big at the top of the leg. From there we had a very tight three boat race with GT and also two-time winner Stuart Childerly from GBR, with Jason Muir’s very consistent team snapping at our heals in 4th. There was a massive gap back to 5th. We finally claimed the lead on the last beat, but GT hit the right layline looking for a shift and it went his way. Well done to them. They have had a tough week in the light air. They were fast today.

Yesterday was up and down. On a positive note, we placed 4th in the second race of the day. It was a nice comeback, as we were around 10th after a lap. The downer for us a disqualification in the first race of the day for starting prematurely. Basically it was operator-error. Hard to describe the feeling when our number got called out over the radio. Not good, but that’s the sport.

With three races to sail we have a very slim lead to Muir’s team. Their worst is a 10th, so they are in a great position. Two races tomorrow with a very dodgy forecast, so still early days. Lots of golf left in this hole. There is also a plethora of very talented teams in the mix. For me, it is simply a matter of doing what I do to the best of my abilities and to support my team-mates to do similar. Having a ball sailing with John and Ben.

We had a nice start in the middle of the long start line and were fast enough out of the blocks to be able to let Ben do his thing and play the shifts and pressure up the middle. We led by 30 secs at the top mark and extended slightly on each leg to win by a minute or so.

For us it was a very nice day of sailing. For others it looked tough back in the fleet. 85 boats make a lot of bad air and chop and it is tough getting through all of that in light air in an under-powered boat like the Etchells. Sailing is a great leveller. We know we are just a poor start away from having to go through that sort of race ourselves. For now though, it’s all positive for us as we enjoy the challenge of the racing and the oppurtunity John has provided for us to be here sailing with each other.

Two races scheduled for tomorrow, but the forecast is not promising. More light winds on the menu. The following day looks even worse. We’ll see.

Hi Chucky!

Light southerly wind that paid the right hand side all day. Problem was for us that we went to the left on the first beat of the two races. In the first race we won our side by a long way, but had to settle for 4th at the mark and got back to 3rd by the end.

The second race was tougher. 26th at the top mark and dug back to 11th at the end.

Coming first by a point after day one but plenty of golf left in this hole.

Guys are great. Ben did a great job in picking our way thru the fleet and John was on fire on the helm. great guys to sail with. A real privilege for me.

John Bertrand, Ben Ainslie and myself have had a good build-up this week, following our 2nd placing in the pre-worlds last weekend.

We have had Victor down here for a few days putting us through a couple of training sessions, which were quite intensive, but exactly what we needed. The build-up has been pretty relaxed apart from that. We did not do the practice race yesterday, instead opting to watch the start from the coachboat and then head in to rest up for what we expect will be a taxing week.

Through the week, we have trained at the Collingwood FC gym and I have got out for a few rides. this morning i did a quick lap around Albert Park Lake, which is in prep mode for the Grand Prix. Another ride was a trip down memory lane, as I rode around the area north of melbourne where I did my welding apprenticeship. I love Melbourne. We also had lunch at the MCG one day with none other than Ron Barassi. For me this was a great privelige, having been such an AFL fan when I was a kid. Another day we had a round of golf at Royal Melbourne. I am glad JB and Ben can sail, as their golf is fairly ordinary.

Anyway, the wether today is very nice. Expecting a light to moderate sea-breeze day. Two races.

Really looking forward to sailing with John and Ben and going out to have some fun sailing.

Yesterday saw the culmination of a very busy three week period, in that it was the final day of two events in which teams I coach were competing. Gotta Love It 7 were sailing in the JJ Giltinan Trophy for the 18Footers and Transfusion were sailing in the Aust C’ship for the Farr40’s.

The results could not have been more contrasting. Such is life and sport. Seve, Sam and Tom aboard the Seven skiff went into the last race a point down, with three other teams close behind. It had been an epic struggle all week, as it had been all season. Last season the team won everything with a race to spare, but this season was more “one-design”. Anyway the boys were winning the race for most of it, but the tricky conditions got even trickier on the final beat. In essence, it was too hard a race track to defend a lead. You had to sail your own race and hope you got it right. My boys got a little too defensive and the tables were turned very quickly. They regained the series lead 500 metres from the finish, on the last run, but again tried to defend and got engulfed as boats passed from both sides of the course. Tough to watch them go through it…. It can be a cruel sport. In the end they placed 8th in the race and third in the series. The 18’s are a sydney institution. The harbour was packed, as was Double Bay wharf, with a large crowd waiting to get on the two spectator ferries. Spectacular day…. Good for sailing.

Meanwhile, offshore, the Transfusion boys were having a struggle of their own. They started the last day four points behind Lang Walker’s Kokomo, with plenty of points to third. It had been a big tussle with Kokomo on days one and two, with Kokomo sailing well to come back from the death in three of the six races. Having worked with Lang’s squad as coach previously (and regularly bike riding with tactician Beasho), I am well aware of the depth of character and sailing talent on board Kokomo. Their worst placing was a fourth in a very solid string of results. The Transfusion boys were a little wounded after day two, as they let a couple of places slip in the last race of that day. I missed that race due to dashing off to the 18’s, but was well briefed in phone calls with a few of the guys that night. Well, they responded in the best possible way by placing 1st, 3rd and 2nd on the final day. Kokomo placed 3rd, 8th and 8th. The conditions offshore were diabolical. Light easterlies. Very unstable and a lot of joggle. It was a day of trying to stay in the wind and being patient. So Transfusion were crowned the new Farr40 Australian Champions. Guido and the team were over the moon. They have worked hard all season, not only on the skills, but also how they interact.

They all deserve a mention:
Guido Belgiorno Nettis steers. He is super-enthusiastic. A very quick learner and very much a motivator of people that loves bringing his skills as a leader in business to the sailing world. I am the coach for the team, but sometimes I feel like guido is coaching me more than the other way around!
Tommy Slingsby does tactics. Tommy is developing super-fast into a big-boat sailor. Working with him has been fantastic. He joined JB and I on the etchells for the vic states, which emphasised to us just how capable this young guy is. Should not come as a surprise, as they don’t go handing out Laser World Championships willy-nilly and Tommy has two of those (and a second placing)!
Bobby Wilmot is on the main. Bobby is the youngest of the famous sailing Wilmot’s. This campaign is the first contact I have had with him. A wonderful guy and a great sailor. Bob is instrumental in putting the team together and is inspirational in his beleifs of giving young people a shot at the various roles on board.
Mitch White is on the bow: Having watched a very determined Mitchy develop from a skinny kid since when we both worked on Richard Perini’s Farr40 campaign back in 04-05, I am not surprised he has developed into one of the world’s premier bow men. He is also responsible for the preperation of the boat and does a very professional job.
Joe Turner trims the jib and kite. Joe is a gifted young sailor that is quickly making the transition from champion dinghy sailor to a big-boat sail trimmer. Joe is gifted with a great sense of humour and has assumed the role of team comedian. This will be invaluable in europe later in the year. He takes it as well as dishes it out. This is just as well, as he cops plenty.
Dan Turner is what is known as the Floater, responsible for a multitude of jobs in the middle of the boat. He is also Joe’s younger brother. Joe and Dan’s Dad is Paul Turner, who won the etchells worlds back in 2004 (a lifetime ago, according Joe). Dan is also a very talented dinghy sailor.
Mike Leigh is our strategist / grinder. Mikey hails from Canada and is currently ranked number one Laser sailor in the world (having bumped Tommy out of top spot recently – Tommy assures us the situation will soon be reversed…). he is very humble guy and great to have involved. He is another starting off his big-boat sailing career and proves a valuable sounding-board for his Laser sailing mate.
Peter Sheldrick is in the pit. Pete is a chippy and is one of those lovely, hardworking, honest guys that just keeps giving to the campaign. he has won Hobart races and has heaps of experience sailing big boats, skiffs etc etc.. He also makes sure the coach has a packed lunch for the day. What a guy!
Sam Williams is our tailer and electronics man: Sammy has a varied sailing background including moths and skiffs, as well as several seasons in one-design keelboats. Lots of life-experince and also a family man with little kids at home.
Hamish Roughly is our mast man. Last but for sure not least. Hamish is a young builder from Pittwater, having been through the youth program at Prince Alfred. Hamish is an accomplished sailor, who despite his years has had a lot of experience sailing boats of all sizes and is also an accomplished match-racer. He is a quietly determined guy. Not many people can get the head of the spinnaker to the top of the rig as fast as Hamish. Hamish is a no-bullsh&t kind of bloke, who often cuts to the chase in our discussions on sailboat racing.

So there they are. A very well rounded team. Lots of youth, with a nice blend of humble, experienced guys around them. A well balanced mix of personalities and a collective desire to get better as a unit.

I joined the boys in their celebratory dinner last night at the squadron. A great night, but I had a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach for what Seve, Sam and Tom must have been feeling across the harbour at the 18Footer presentation.

Anyway, now the immediate focus is on the etchells worlds, which kicks off on March 9th. I am off to melbourne on Thursday to help John prep the boat. Victor is making an appearance to help us ensure we have the details right. Ben arrives Saturday morning, straight from Pom rock and we do the pre-worlds on the weekend. Then it’s a week of final prep, seeing the sights and resting up.

After all that coaching, I am very revved up to do some sailing myself. JB and I are in close contact and we are both looking forward to getting out there with Ben again and getting amongst it!

On the family front, Toby turned 8 today. Big boy! Just returned from an information night at the school with Kate, where he is starting year two. Annabel is still a princess and Charlie is still belting me up.

Best,

Dog.