Skiffs, Farr40’s, Etchells and general Feb update
Another big month….
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.