Ashby successfully defends A Class title

Ashby finished the 2-race series on 13 points following two race drops, defeating Brad Collett (QLD) by 11 points and third placed Scott Anderson
(NSW) by 19 points.

Ashby made the going at the Sail Melbourne event look easy, his score card littered with wins and second places.

This is the third consecutive Australian title in the catamaran class for the 28 year-old, who will leave Blairgowrie this afternoon for Sandringham Yacht Club, where he will join his helmsman Darren Bundock in the Olympic Tornado class for their assault on the Sail Melbourne Olympic & Invited Classes which begins tomorrow.

According to the newly crowned champion, the morning's race was sailed in light 3-10 knot frustratingly fluky conditions. "I was in the back of the pack a few times this morning because of the conditions," he said. But by afternoon and the final race, the much welcomes sea breeze arrived at 6-15 knots and gave Ashby the opportunity of winning the title on a high note with a win in the bag.

Responding to congratulations from onlookers, Ashby said, "it's always nice to have a good one. Now I'm looking forward to another good week of racing (referring to his campaign with Bundock). It's been a hard week sailing the A Class Nationals and doing some Tornado training as well, but it all helps towards the end goal."

Ashby has sailed a few catamaran regattas with Bundock; the pair own the 2005 F18 World crown, but only recently joined with Bundock for a Beijing Olympics campaign.

The pair can expect some stiff competition from some top ranked sailors over the next week, but feel confident, having beaten all their competition at the Sydney International Regatta in December.

Race officials at Sandringham plan to start the Tornado's at 1.00pm tomorrow, weather dependent, of course.

Di Pearson

Website : www.sailmelbourne.com.au
Photo: Jeff Crow, Sport the Library at Sail Melbourne