Day 2 National Titles ‘Morning races? I don’t think so’

Hey all,

Started this morning at 930am. No wind and it dropped right out. We pulled 3 starts and ended up getting off with more then half the fleet over on a black flag. I bailed out and restarted toward the boat and had a horrible start. Disaster. Luckily I got out to the right and the breeze filled in from the shore on the left … it looked even worse … great …

Then a boat came through the fleet waving a white and blue checkered flag. Race Abandoned !!! woo hoo !!!

We went back to the start to see some 10 boats had been OCS. This was nowhere near representative. There was about 20 boats over on the pin and 50m up from it alone!

The first race started again when the seabreeze filled in close to 12 noon. Waste of time trying to get 2 morning races in as the breeze is up early but then goes into a shifty and dieing phase between 9am – 1pm.

It went around to the south and shifted left and right but predominantly more left. I started up at the boat end and tacked off to the right where there was some pressure early. This worked well and I cut back crossing most of the fleet to round the top mark in 4th. Matias, Fredrik and Christoph were in front and I set out to gun them down. I caught Christoph by going low on the run and then made solid gains on Matias and Fredrik. On the second lap I caught fredrik upwind and then pushed out into 2nd to chase Matias. Unluckily for him he thought it was an O1 course (meaning one lap on the outer windward leeward) where it was actually o2. I knew from the start and he powered away reaching but too early!

I took first and crossed everyone to take a comfortable lead to the finish. Race 3 was another win and I was all smiles.

Similar game plan in the 4th race. Started more mid line and held on until I could tack and head for the top mark. Rounded in 5th and game on to chase again. At this point I began to rethink my conservative starts policy.

I managed to come back to 4th until the last beat where I power hiked it out to the right and tacked in a big knock to lift to the finish in 3rd.

Not a bad day and I finish day 2 on 7 points overall with the nearest boat on 16 points (Fredrik). I have a nice little buffer zone for day 3 and need to hold it together for 8 more races. After 5 races we get a drop and that will change things. Burman for example got a black flag today and is buried overall but with a drop will be top 3 assuming a good race on the 2nd Jan.

Anyway the good news is that its new years eve and your all going out. Enjoy yourselves and best wishes for 2009 and have an awesome night. I’m a long way from home and my girl so i’ll be having a quiet one at home.

Below is the results to date. Stay tuned as i’m on a mission to win this thing.

Overall Results – Laser Standard

Pl	Name	Sail Num	Bow Num	Club /Cty	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Total Points	Net Points
1	BRUNNING, Ashley	193100	304	NSW	1	2	1	3									7	7
2	WESTMAN, Fredrik	194927	342	FIN	9	1	2	4									16	16
3	DEL SOLAR, Matias	161167	364	CHI	4	6	7	1									18	18
4	BOTTONI, Christoph	194926	303	SUI	3	5	5	7									20	20
5	HANNAN, Ryan	188613	321	WA	5	4	8	5									22	22
6	BURTON, Thomas	193403	306	NSW	7	9	3	13									32	32	Youth
7	PALK, Ryan	192291	359	QLD	10	11	4	9									34	34
8	HUGHES, Todd	190363	324	SA	6	14	14	8									42	42
9	TWEDDELL, Oliver	186644	338	GBR	15	8	6	17									46	46
10	BURMAN, James	191644	305	NSW	2	3	41 BFD	2									48	48

Day 1 National Titles ‘Sharks and incoming seabreeze’

I started today sailing out an hour early before the start in a very light easterly and I though this is not what was in the brochure !!! not only was there no strong wind as there had been every day for 2 weeks but it was 36 degrees and a 5m great white shark was spotted a few clicks down the coast … great …

After patiently waiting just after 2pm the seabreeze came and it started building and building from the south. The waves picked up and we got off the first race in about 12 knots.

I started at the boat and got out to a clean and clear start. The fleet was below me and I powered away to round the top mark in 3rd close behind Matias (CHI) and Christoph (SUI). On the run I closed the gap on Matias and caught Chris and rounded in 2nd to go right on the beat. I made big gains out there and almost retook Matias but he tacked right in my face to slow me up. Burman caught us both and it became a free for all downwind. I caught back up to Burman and Matias and then charged out to the right again to round the top in 2nd behind burman but switch back inside him to take the lead and win race 1 !!! great start !!!

Race 2 was simular with me starting up near boat but just down (about 5 boats) again clear start. Burman was pin and the breeze went left … debarcle !!! he led by about 100m by the top mark and I rounded in 4th … I caught both downwind and went back to 2nd to duke it out with Fredrik up the 1st outer upwind. I closed the gap on Burman and closed again on the run. The 2nd beat they went left and I went right … I got out to where the pressure hooked right and rode it across to take 1st again !!! the run I kept an eye on Burman but did not look back at Fredrik who rounded quite a long way back in 3rd. He had the run of his life and piped me to the bottom mark. By that point I was pretty done and feeling light headed from the epic hike off of the racing. I hung on to the back of him and finished very close 2nd. It sounded like I got the horn and the win but it turns out the race committee was just slow !!! oh well always a next time …

Below are the results in top 10 to date. This is only race 1 and 2 so alot to go but a good start and I finally broke my bad habit of starting a regatta poorly. Stay tuned for more action tomorrow with 2 races at 930am.

Overall Results – Laser Standard

Pl	Name	Sail Num	Bow Num	Club /Cty	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Total Points	Net Points
1	BRUNNING, Ashley	193100	304	NSW	1	2											3	3
2	BURMAN, James	191644	305	NSW	2	3											5	5
3	BOTTONI, Christoph	194926	303	SUI	3	5											8	8
4	HANNAN, Ryan	188613	321	WA	5	4											9	9
5	WESTMAN, Fredrik	194927	342	FIN	9	1											10	10
6	DEL SOLAR, Matias	161167	364	CHI	4	6											10	10
7	BURTON, Thomas	193403	306	NSW	7	9											16	16	Youth
8	HUGHES, Todd	190363	324	SA	6	14											20	20
9	GUNTHER, Ben	194936	320	VIC	8	12											20	20
10	PALK, Ryan	192291	359	QLD	10	11											21	21	Grand Master

Arrival in Perth … hot and windy … perfect for Nationals

Hi all.

After a nice short break and a great Christmas with my family and Apple i’ve just got off a plane and am in Perth. The flight felt suprisingly short which was great.

Just sitting down in the airport with my bags now and getting picked up at 130pm by Timmy Castles.

Going to head down to Fremantle Sailing Club and get the boat out and together. Will probably head out for an hour and just get a handle on the breeze and waves in the racing area. Perth is remarkable in the fact that the breeze comes steadily from one direction in summer. The land heats up and it hits the late 20s to mid 30s degree mark and the seabreeze comes and cools it off in the afternoon with an increasing 10 – 25 knots.

These conditions should sponsor some good results and mean boat speed races (aka ‘goon fests’). Basically a good start and good straightline speed.

The nationals will be sailing out of Fremantle Sailing Club which is on the open sea. I have never sailed here before so i’m keen to get a few hours in before the racing starts on the 30th Dec.

Anyway lunch has just been served so i’ll update you on my thoughts again soon. My keen factor is at 100% and i’m totally pumped to get an excellent result here. 2 good prior regattas and feeling fit and healthy. Jumped on the scales and weigh a healthy 84kgs after dinner. Great weight for competitive sailing in a breezy venue …

Stay tuned

Sail Melbourne finishes in style

Hey all,

Finished sail melbourne today with a brilliant final race of the series completing some 11 races over since the 16th of December.

Today I was in 7th to start the morning and had a big barrier to the next guy in 8th of 21 points. I also had a 13 point gap to the next guy in 6th so I needed a great one to move up the rankings.

Before the race I had a quick line up with Mike and had some good speed. Today was a shifty and patchy Northerly coming straight from the city of Melbourne. I made the assesment before the race that the breeze tended to hang in on the left longer then the right and the tack angle was high on port.

That meant the start would be down near the pin to get out there fast and thats exactly what I did.

I got off to a clean start with plenty of room below me and waited for the left hander to roll in. It did very slowly but I made some digs back toward the main part of the fleet and then sailed in front of them but to leeward waiting for the big left hander. About 300m from the top it rolled in and Josh Junior (NZL) and I peeled away from the fleet on a huge lift to take 1st and 2nd around the mark. I stayed in the pressure downwind and held my ground and then almost took 1st place up the second work.

On the final downwind I knew I had to get past the kiwi to win. I came up behind him and blanketed him to take the inside at a perfect moment when there was wind just on his inside. I sailed parrallel then past him to take the lead and then got into phase and made a break. I lead into the final reach mark and reached to the finish to tap my hand on the deck proudly winning the final race of the world cup Sail Melbourne Event !!!

With this great result I managed to move upto 6th overall and almost took 5th. Very pleased with this result and now can go home with a smile and feeling confident leading into the national titles in a week in Fremantle, Perth. The next aussie was 60 points away which is a huge buffer and I feel I have made a transition again up another level.

A big thanks needs to go to a few people.

Adrian Finglas – for so much support coaching me this event and there to talk to me before every race and points to work on. He helped refit my boat and even threw in $5 to buy some lines haha. Learned alot this event from Adrian and am glad to be working with him at the moment on the ASDS.

Brendan Casey – New set of hikers today proved lucky by SEA thanks for the support mate.

Josh Chant and Mike Leigh – Always being there to chat to and good blokes to stay and train\line up with. The right attitude and the right guys to be associated with. Oh and the risotto is brilliant Mike.

My mum and dad for helping me out with my younger brothers boat and calling me for support everyday (and you too benny and stevo and Apps)

And of course all the competitors from near and far who came to Melbourne post Olympics. I need you here to make me better and appreciate it so one day I  be up there in the top few.

OK

Now home to Sydney tomorrow morning. See the girl and family for a few days then fly to Perth for the nationals on the 27th Dec.

Day 5 Sail Melbourne ‘Deja’vu’

Today was a carbon copy of yesterday in many ways. My results were a 5th and a 14th.

The breeze was a building SW again but today was more right (thus south) then left. I had a great first start and punched out to get to the top mark in 6th then to reel back in the front guys on the next run and take 3rd by the top mark.

I got gunned down on the run by Daniel (CRO) and Matt Coutts (NZL) and fell back to 3rd. Good result but again slow downwind … can’t connect the waves here in Melbourne, so close together and really need to work on it.

2nd race horrible start. Got caught up to close to head to wind and couldn’t accelerate off the line and was under Matias (CHI) who has just won the regatta. I tacked out to clear but got caught up in some starboard port tacks. Slow as and got to the top mark in the mid 20s. Had a decent first run and made some small gains and then resolved to have a huge 2nd beat. I came out from the bottom mark and followed Mike and Matias who were about 100m in front out to the right and then tacked on the lay and started hiking as hard as I could. I got to the top mark in 10th !!! awesome comeback !!!

Problem was I got around the mark and started heading downwind and the fleet started passing me one by one. The gybe mark we engaged with radials and I got held out by them and Burman and lost 2 more boats and ended up in 14th … Disappointing 2nd runs in both races and wasn’t a happy boy.

To make matters worse some guy ran over my gear in the boat park and shattered my bike helmet and carbon tiller extension. He says he won’t pay for it all as it was ‘my fault for leaving it in the middle of the marshalling yard’ arghhhhh it was even protected by a trolley which someone moved for him. disaster …

Anyways was a solid day and am pretty much secure in 7th now with some 21 points to the next guy behind me. In terms of Australians I am 43 points in front of the next aussie and feeling good about that leading into the nationals. Just need to work on my downwind again in these conditions down here.

Over in Perth its more seawaves which I am used to. Its also warmer and windier again on average. All good things for me.

Big thanks to Adrian today for helping me refit my boat. Was invaulable today and when I had a good start my straight line speed with more vang and cunningham was as quick if not quicker then the big guns. Just need to pull everything together to have the regatta of my life over in Perth !!!

Day 4 Sail Melbourne ‘Big Breeze, cold and cramps’

Day 4 of Sail Melbourne started with me looking out the window and seeing a dark day with a steady south westerly blowing at about 20 – 25 knots. There were white caps out all over the bay and there was some big waves about as the bay is relatively shallow at this end.

I ate all morning in preparation so that I would have plenty of energy for the two races. I went to the store and bought some gatorade and powergel (direct injection of carbohydrates).

When I got to the boat park at 1230 I noticed the AP (postponement of races) was up for all classes. Apparently it was a little windy for us … anyways we launched at 2pm and started our first race at 230pm.

The wind was flicking left to right but near the top mark  it was left for the first race. I started 1\3rd down from the boat below the big bunch and got out and in front. Mike Leigh and Karol were with me and we punched out of the fleet to take the left side. Mike got to the lay first and tacked and I followed suit. I rounded the top mark in 4th and managed to hold it until the end of the run where Karol took me. I retook him on the next beat and some of the fleet closed a bit as the breeze started going right. Pressure was on !!!

I rounded the final upwind mark in 3rd and duelled downwind with Daniel and Karol … and I lost …

I finished the race in 5th which was a good result but I was disappointed. I got out of phase downwind and misgybed and fell out of contention with the top guys in the big waves.

After the race I had a chat with Adrian and Euan (AST coaches) and they both agreed I didn’t have enough vang or cunningham for the upwind. Turns out my boat need to be re rigged and my vang purchase needs to increase dramatically. A job for tomorrow morning at 1oam in the boat chandellery.

The 2nd race we sat around for about 20 mins. It was freezing!!! I ate some powergel and a gatorade. The first start got off and I really punched out with good speed and full extension hiking. Unfortunately it was a general recall meaning too many people were over the start line.

The second start of the second race was postponed after the breeze went right. We sat in the cold for 10 more minutes before the 3rd and final start of the day.

I sat down from the bunch again and rocketed out of the start but then had an overwhelming sensation of pain in my legs. I was cramping in my quads!!! too cold and dehydrated from those powergels. Never again … just read you should be drinking about 600 ml of water with each one to keep you from dehydrating on carbs … arghhh

Anyway the 2nd race was a total uphill battle. I got rolled off the line and really suffered. There was like 5 boats behind me after the first beat. The first run I LOST A BOAT … Diasaster … then I rounded the bottom mark on a total mission. I cranked the hell out of my vang and cunningham and started heading to the right. I got out in clear air and tacked and went on a crusade to the top mark. A 1 tack work and right on the lay the breeze swung a little more right to help me out. Most of the fleet was in the middle of the course and I crossed over some 15 boats !!! brilliant comeback !!! made it back to 16th by the bottom and finished.

Should have been a far better race but I was OK as I saved my overall score with some hard hiking. I slid one more position to 7th but again am in striking distance for the top 5 … The last two days are normally my strength so I need to re assess some things.

1) I can be fitter

2) My boat needs to be set up technically better. Good lines (non stretch and set up for calibaration)

3) I need warm gear for cooler days to avoid cramps

4) I need more fluids out on the water even when its cold

There are still 3 races to go over the next few days. Stay tuned and watch the transformation on the road to the nationals.

Day 3 Sail Melbourne ‘Tough day’

Hi again,

3 races today in a building southerly breeze. Should have been the perfect day … alas it wasn’t …

I had a good first start off the boat next to Dave Weaver (NZL) and tacked off to the right. Looked good until the left lifted 20 degrees near the top mark. I rounded with about 12 boats behind me!!! arghhhh disaster

I managed to make a comeback to 25th out of 42 but was disappointed. I took unnecessary risk going right and should have just stuck with what I knew (1\3 rd up from the pin, go left, hit layline, tack and go fast).

The next 2 races I did exactly that and I did OK. Unfortunately in the last race the breeze filled in harder from the right and the layline was unattractive !!! I fought my way back but only got a 7th and an 11th.

I finish today in 6th overall and am looking forward to a big 2 races tomorrow. I am just behind 5th and 16 points from 3rd. I really need a good day to straighten the score.

Will keep you updated. Check scores below.

Overall Results – Laser Full Rig

Pl	Name	Sail Num	Bow Num	Club /Cty	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	Total Points	Net Points
1	BULLOT, Mike	1992		NZL	2	6	1	1	3	(8)						21	13
2	DEL SOLAR, Matias	1167		CHI	4	1	(5)	4	1	4						19	14
3	VUJASINOVIC, Milan	0694		CRO	5	4	(15)	5	8	1						38	23
4	LEIGH, Michael	8818		CAN	(12)	12	2	8	4	5						43	31
5	WEAVER, David	8803		NZL	13	7	12	(26)	2	3						63	37
6	BRUNNING, Ashley	3100		AUS	16	2	3	(25)	7	11						64	39
7	MIHELIC, DANIEL	2594		CRO	(22)	13	17	9	5	2						68	46
8	TARITAŠ, IVAN	3012		CRO	(26)	3	6	7	22	15						79	53
9	BURTON, Thomas	3403		AUS	8	15	13	2	16	(22)						76	54
10	ANDREWS, Max	2636		NZL	7	17	(20)	6	17	12						79	59

Sail Melbourne Day 2 ‘Building Seabreeze’

Brilliant day on the water today.

Looked a little dodgy earlier when I was out for a 30 min spin down Beach Rd today.

The day started with us heading out on time and getting in 3 races back to back. The breeze was a light seabreeze but it had the feeling it would build.

The first race I struggled to keep pace with the lighter guys when the wind was between 3 – 6 knots. I managed a great result to the top mark in 9th but couldn’t hold my ground and on the second work the breeze went left and I was in the middle … arggh finished 16th … again OK start to the regatta.

The second race I was keen to make a come back and get some solid results on the board. I did some careful observation and the breeze had built to 6 – 10 knots. The yachts well up the course were knocking on starboard tack and I knew that would mean the next big phase of pressure was going left !!! I started down on the pin end away from the guys up on the boat. My game plan was to go left and then when in position cross the fleet on port with a left hander gust.

The plan went perfectly! I went left and knocked out near the lay and charged back across to take 2nd at the top mark behind Matias Del Solar (CHI). We had a decent lead and held it for the race. I took 2nd !!! great result

The 3rd race I played a simular game plan but the fleet caught on and the pin was crowded. I started about 1\3 of the way up from the pin and rocketed out of the start to squeeze off the guy above and hook into the odd right hander. I managed to pull out from the fleet and wait for the layline before tacking and crossing to round in 6th. Looking good.

The first downwind I managed to pull a kiwi back by riding the waves and keeping an eye on the pressure behind me. Once in the groove I had speed and rounded in a close 5th on the bottom mark. I played the left side on the next beat with Ivan (CRO) and managed to get by him and came close to taking Mike Leigh and Fredrik (FIN). The next run I went out all guns blazing but didn’t make any boats but importantly chipped away and closed on Mike and Fredrik. I rounded the bottom mark and reached to the finish to go high and pass over Fredrik steal his wind and take 3rd with Matias closing in. !!! another solid result in top 3 !!!

Big thanks today to Adrian Finglas who gave me some pointers and really looked after me as the ASDS Coach. I found having a coach a major addition to strong racing ability. A coach can look and see those things you did not pick up or only thought about it later. That way you can hear straight away after the race and carry out change process in the next race. Gold …

I finish today in 4th and am first aussie again by miles. We have some wind forecast for tomorrow so we shall see how day 3 goes !!! stay tuned … on a mission to get on the podium here.

Day 1 Sail Melbourne ‘Floater’

Hi all,

Day one of Sail Melbourne was a total floater. I headed out there about 1 hour before the race and the breeze was OK. Still light at about 2 – 6 knots.

I did some pre start work and tested speed which was fine. The right looked good. With about 10 mins to go the AP went up and the racing was postponed. We sat in our boats and waited till just before 5 before they sent us to shore.

After that I packed up and was told I have to get National Letters on my sail. Great … that will take up most of my morning tomorrow.

Josh and I went over to Mikes to have some dinner and watch foxtel. Sheer gold in his apartment with awesome cooking facilities. Thanks Miker !!!

Will update you tomorrow on 3 races. Forecast is light southerly breezes so we will see how it all goes.

Keep an eye out tomorrow.

Sail Melbourne – ‘Arrival, Rego, Check Boat, go food shopping, eat lots’

Hi all,

Im back to write on my second regatta of the Down Under Series – Sail Melbourne.

Arrived today and went out for a short sail. The wind clagged but I stretched the legs out a bit and am looking forward to the first 2 races tomorrow.

I am staying at the Sandy Hotel which is quite dingy but in an awesome location and cheap. I’ll be riding about 2kms to sailing eveyday (i walked it today) and have my faithful trek down here.

The forecast for tomorrow is a 10 – 15 knot westerly and we race at 3pm. There are only 2 races scheduled a day and we will have most mornings off so i’ll be keen to get out for plenty of rides with the boys.

All is well and just did my food shopping at the meager cost of $80. Nothing like a wrap with some hommus and chicken when your lying about your hotel doing nothing but watching TV and playing computer games.

Ahhh the good life, got to keep those stress levels down before the event … it’ll run out soon unfortunately as I am swiftly running out of funding with just enough to get through the Aussy season. Anyone want to sponsor me? a dollar a day for a good cause ?

Anyway stay tuned and i’ll keep up my daily reports of the action in the Laser fleet as Sail Melbourne!!! There are many strong sailors here including Mike Leigh and Mike Bullot as well as the Croatian National Team and the ‘young kiwis’. Should make for an awesome regatta.