Sydney International Regatta a success

Article by Di Pearson

Excessive southerly winds battered Sydney Harbour forcing organisers to abandon racing early in the afternoon when winds reached over 25 knots.

Despite an early end and damage to some boats, competitors agreed it was a great regatta. Commenting on her win in the Laser Radial Women's fleet, Australian 2004 Olympian and Australian Sailing Team member Sarah Blanck said: "It's been good fun out there; very shifty conditions, you had to concentrate 100 per cent."

"I'm not sailing to my best, but I'm happy with the way things are going - there's plenty of room for improvement and I know how I can improve."

Blanck, from Victoria, will go on to compete at the Laser Radial Nationals in Hobart before heading off to Miami for the Olympic classes regatta in January. Blanck, an Australian Sailing Team member, scored a resounding win; beating her nearest rival Lizzie Vickers (GBR) by 16 points.

Australian Sailing Team members Mat Belcher and Nick Behrens had a nail biting finish to the regatta, winning the 470 Mens by one point to Tobias Etter/Felix Steiger (SUI) with team mates, Olympians and former multiple world champions Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page finishing third on countback.

Belcher/Behrens victory comes on the back of their 470 Nationals win earlier this month and some top results in Europe earlier this year. "These are the only two times we have beaten Nathan and Malcolm," said a pleased Behrens last evening.

"We had an incident with a ferry which crossed our start in the first race and caused chaos for all of us. We had to wait till Monday night for the result of our protest, which we lost. In doing so, we lost six points which decimated our lead," Belcher said.

"We had to forget about it and cope, so we did. It's been a very hard battle with Nathan and Malcolm - the competition between us is awesome. We have been working and training hard and it's paid off. We're ranked No. 4 in the World Rankings now and feel very pleased with our progress over the last 18 months," Belcher said. The pair heads off to Miami next, following some training with Wilmot/Page.

Belcher, from Queensland, said the pair could not be successful without the support of his and Behrens respective sponsors, PRD Nationwide and the Bank of Queensland. "Their support has been absolutely amazing including holding future jobs for us."

Sydneysider Allison Shreeve scored a clean win in the RS:X Womens sailboards, flying in from competing on the Windsurfer Pro circuit. "I got two second places today, so I'm happy. It was pretty windy out there today and the Navy made us move our course twice, so we were out there for close to five hours - it was a long hard day. It was a great regatta though - shifty and every type of conditions you could possibly get - I just love sailing in my home city."

Sydney 2000 gold medallist in the 470 class, Belinda Stowell, finished third in her newly chosen RS:X sailboard class.

Stowell was competing at her first event, fitting in some racing, but not completing all races between her 470 coaching duties at the regatta.

"I haven't had much time to compete - I'm juggling coaching and sailing - I've got a long way to go and a lot to achieve," the West Australian said.

"You just have to take it one step at a time. I know it's a long road and you can't push these things. Despite the critics, I'm not going to stop trying to qualify in this class. My goal was to try something new - and I am - it's like a whole new sport."

In the 49er and Laser classes, wins came down to the wire, only one point separating the winners from their second placed compatriots in both classes.

Nathan Outteridge/Ben Austin pipped three-time world champion Chris Nicholson and his crew Euan McNicol for the win. "They kept us honest," Outteridge from New South Wales said. "Make one mistake and they just get further in front. We are feeling comfortable in lighter and mid range airs, but we need to do some work on our handling in the windier conditions, but we're happy with our two wins," he added, referring to their win this month of the 49er Nationals.

Australian Sailing Team member Tom Slingsby fought of Basilj Zbogar (SLO) to take home the Laser trophy. Sporting a cast on his arm following surgery to his hand, the likeable redhead said: "the conditions were tricky enough without the addition of the cast. In fact, I've never sailed at a regatta where it was so tricky - ever".

"I lost the plot a bit in the final race - picked the wrong side of the course at one stage, went the wrong side of a mark and hit the top mark twice - it wasn't one of my better days - anything that could go wrong, did go wrong, but this regatta was great for its variety of conditions."

Unexpectedly, new Laser world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Michael Blackburn finished out of the top three, placing fifth. He has dropped some weight so may have struggled in the challenging conditions, as did a couple of others who have dropped weight in anticipation of light air regattas.

Yachting NSW's CEO Stephen Leahy said after the event yesterday: "We are disappointed the weather set in and we were unable to complete all racing, however competitors enjoyed a range of conditions and had good competition.

"Our aim is to review this event shortly; we want to make it bigger and better and continue to attract the world's best sailors. The review will also look at where and when to hold this regatta in the future, type of courses, which classes to include and whether it will be a one-off event or part of a series - it will get a full review."

Leahy also announced that Sandra Nori from NSW Sport and Recreation had presented SIR's with a cheque for $20,000. "We were very pleased to receive the funding, however we need to identify a major sponsor for this event - it costs a lot to run an event of this magnitude. We are pleased also to receive ongoing support from Steve Jarvin Motors."

Woollahra Sailing Club and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron were the host venues and had their hands full with the changing conditions.

For full results www.nsw.yachting.org.au