Mixed Fortunes at Miami

It was a fantastic result for Team GBR at the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta but a bitterly disappointing final day for top Scot Luke Patience in the 470 men.  Luke who had never been out of the top two all week went into Friday with a substantial lead and gold medal position but after a tough Friday and a 10th in the medal race on Saturday he had to settle for bronze as the gold went to fellow brits Nick Asher and Elliot Willis.

Meanwhile another "Scott", Giles Scott continued his recent dominance of the Finn class to win gold ahead of a hard charging Benn Ainslie who took silver.

For a full report check out http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=155527

Giles Scott enjoys the Miami sunshine...

Great Scott at the Miami OCR

Giles Scott is dominating the early races in the Finn Class at the Miami OCR.  Wednesday has been a good day for Luke Patience in the Mens 470's too as he moves to first overall.

http://RMOCR.ussailing.org/

Disappointment on Final Day at Australian Youth Nationals

Close finishes, fight-backs and continued domination were the flavours of the day as the 2011 OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth came to an end at Georges River 16ft Sailing Club in Sydney.

The 160 crews from nine countries completed their final two races on Botany Bay with a number of classes coming right down to the final race to decide the winners.

In the Laser Radial class West Australian Matthew Wearn overcame a slow start to the week to win the regatta, ahead of fellow Australian Mitchell Kennedy with Great Britain’s Elliot Hansen third. (and Lorenzo Fourth -G.)

 

Wearn had an amazing finish to the regatta, winning the final five races to overhaul the leaders and gain a place on the Australian Youth Sailing Team.

 

“I started off not so well but then began racking up the good points with five bullets to finish the regatta which was a good way to end it,” said Wearn. “There was some great competition, especially Mitchell Kennedy, it was really tough to beat him.”

 

Ashley Stoddart was the top female Laser Radial sailor, overtaking Alex South on the final race of the regatta to qualify for her second Australian team in three years.

 

“I’ve been trying to chip away all week and was always just behind Alex but it’s been really good racing,” said Stoddart. “I had a good day today, ending with a third and just tried to do the right things and not worry about the competition.”

 

“After not being in the Australian team last year it’s good to be back, my back is much better and I got through school, which was another hurdle, so I’m feeling really good,” she said. “I had a good little break and now ready and raring to go.” writes Craig heydon on the official event web site http://www.youthchamps.org.au/

Well done Lorenzo - leading the radial fleet from day one.  You have done us proud.

G. 

Oz Update

Day three of the Australian Youth Championships and Lorenzo is hanging in there in first place overall despite an impressive day of sailing from Matthew Wearn of the home nation who scored 1,1,1 today and now lies just one point behind.  Elliot Hanson is a further six points back in third with Cameron Douglas in 8th.

Full results are on line at http://www.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/event/35244/overall_4_1.html

Tomorrow is the final day with just two more races to sail.

G.

Lorenzo leads after day 2

Day two of the Australian Youth Nationals and Lorenzo Chiavarini holds the lead with scores of 3, 6 and 5 today.  Light and shifty conditions made for challenging sailing on the bay and black flags for some of the main contenders may make the "discards" (or "drops" as the Auzzies call them) all important as the championships develop.

GBR positions now stand at
Lorenzo 1st on 16 points with 2,(6),3,6,5
Elliot joint 3rd on 29 points with (17),11,5,10,3
Cameron 11th with 14,19,(22),7,1

Go Lorenzo - we are behind you (as usual!).

G.

Lorenzo flies the Scottish Radials flag down under.

A brief report from Duncan Hepplewhite of sailing fast.co.uk, our Scottish Radials coach.

"I am sure you are all aware that Lorenzo was selected for the three person GBR team to visit Australia. He flew out on the 21^st December and has already competed in the Australian National champs in some tricky conditions.

Results

4th (2nd U19) Elliot, 9th (5th U19) Cam, and 14th (8th U19) Lorenzo

After a couple of days rest they began their training prior to the Youth champs that began today. Due to the time difference they have already completed their racing.

After the first day of racing Lorenzo finished 2^nd and 6^th and 1^st overall.

For all of the full day reports and pics for both events visit www.sailingfast.co.uk and follow the link to the facebook page"

Brilliant news, well done Lorenzo, we are all supporting you.

G.

A Radial Youth Series for 2011?

Scottish Toppers and Scottish Optimists have now announced their 2011 Scottish Events.  In response to feedback from parents, most will be combined Topper and Optimist events and all other Junior classes will be invited so there will be a Radial start at all events where the club has enough space to accomodate the extra boats.  (Annandale for example will be limited to Toppers and Optimists only)  Some will also be official Laser Class traveller events but some will not.  We had 14 boats at the Zones and 14 at the Inlands at Grafham so there are enough active Youth Radials in Scotland for a great series.  I guess the series would be open to adults although the series prize would be for Youths to avoid a conflict with the UKLA traveller series.

I am suggesting we run a Laser Radial RYA Youth Traveller Series based on all the combined events.  This will include

RYA Junior Championships, Largs, 2nd/3rd April 2011

Dalgety Bay 21/22 May

East Lothian YC 4/5 June

Helensburgh SC 18/19 June

Aberdeen and Stonehaven YC 20/21 August

Loch Lomond SC 27/28 August (tbc - club may restrict entries)

Prestwick 17/18 September

RYA Zone Championships, 24th/25th September 2011.

We will be there, I hope you can join us.

G.