September 2010
Victory in 5.5 Metre Worlds
Flavio Marazzi, Christof Wilke and I wrapped up the International 5.5Metre Class World Championships yesterday at Torbole on Italy’s Lake Garda, without having to sail the final race.
It seemed to me to be a very similar regatta to the Etchells Worlds in Ireland a fortnight earlier. We had very nice speed and height, so we elected not to push the starts very hard. Our speed upwind and downwind got us out of trouble here and there, but we were consistently able to place the boat on the race course to capitalise on the lake’s fickle breezes better than our closest competitors. In fact the two boats (Artemis XIV and Odlo) we identified at the start of the event as being the guys to beat never once finished in front of us. we did not every race, but we generally won our side on the first upwind and chipped away from there if behind other boats. So, in summary a very solid week.
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Finally time to write an update!
I am definitiely over-due for an update! Been plenty on these past few months, both in sailing and family events.
Family-wise, it has been a great summer on the Isle of Wight. Nice, mild weather with some long periods of sunny days and nice breezes. Since arriving to Cowes in April, we have had little to complain about.
The original plan for Kate to home-school the older two kids only lasted for a couple of weeks. Just too hard, particularly with the young fella, Charlie in the background demanding his piece of the action. So they were enrolled to school and saw out the final term of the English school year. Today is a big day, as it is the first day back from school holidays after a lonnnggg seven weeks for Kate. It is the first ever day of school for Charlie. Unfotunatey, I am not at home to be a part of it, but did have a skype with them earlier and saw him in his uniform. Pretty weird to see our little baby in uniform! Where does it go?
So, the kids are great. Enjoying the Cowes waterfront and all it’s goings-on. Also spending time with their little cousins etc.. It’s all good stuff. Kate is also having a great time. Lots of family around, as well as old childhood friends. Can’t go wrong, really. However, the big test of an English winter ominously approaches….. In other family news, my mum arrives this weekend from Melbourne. By far the biggest trip of her life. Will be great to see her.
Sailing / work-wise it has been flat-out. The main activities have been related to my role as coach with Team Artemis in the RC44, TP52 and Louis Vuitton circuits. I have also done three trips as coach with the Kiwi Star team of Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk and two ‘holidays” to do World Championships as a sailor myself. (more…)
Winning the Etchells Worlds….
The following is a draft that I wrote for the Etchells Class Newsletter…
The planning behind John Bertrand, Tom Slingsby and myself winning the 2010 Etchells Worlds in Howth, Ireland had it’s beginnings during the campaign for the previous year’s Worlds in Melbourne. In that campaign John and I were joined by Ben Ainslie. Ben’s sailing pedigree is un-matched and to sail next to him on the etchells and hang out with him ashore was a very positive and memorable experience.
copyright Ingrid Abery
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