Day 2 of racing at the Neilson Active Holiday UK Laser SB3 National Championships started with a steady 10 knots of wind off the coast of Brighton this morning. However, as the day progressed, the wind became less settled and eventually dropped leaving the Race Officer with a tricky job in hand. Rob Gullan and the Parkway Pirates won the first race of the day, with Rola Trac in second and Spirt of Cape Town in third place.

“During the second race the wind veered left before shifting hard right on the second beat,” explained Principal Race Officer, Peter Saxton. A number of boats were caught out in Race 2 with the massive shift, but Chris Darling, George Yeomans and Andy Shaw managed to battle their way to the front of the fleet and took a well deserved bullet, with ‘In Your Pocket’ second and ‘3 Sad Old Blokes’ finishing third. Rola Trac and Spirit of Cape Town both lost out in Race 2 and finished in the late-teens. 

Many of the competitors came ashore claiming a day of ‘Snakes and Ladders’ and there was faint disappointed not to have enjoyed a repeat performance of yesterday’s weather conditions, perhaps not physically tired but certainly mentally tired having worked hard all day picking the shifts and working their boats to achieve maximum possible speed.

3 Fat Lads, helmed by Martin Wadsworth was joined for Day 2 by the Harbour Master from the Marina after a crew member had to leave unexpectedly after racing on Wednesday. Coming ashore this afternoon, he was buzzing, “What a great day!”

Even in gentle conditions, the Laser SB3 had clearly impressed. Gary Barker and his crew on Trio performed well in races 1 and 2, “We were really pleased with what we achieved today, perhaps not in everyone’s eyes, but for us, we did really well!”

Peter Saxton was congratulated by the fleet this evening for taking the decision to not sail the fourth scheduled race today. The sea breeze dropped to nothing and the fleet were sent home. At the end of racing, the World Champion, Jerry Hill is repeating his form from Italy earlier this summer and leads the fleet at the halfway stage of the regatta. Andy Oddie, ‘In Your Pocket’ lies second, his best result so far in the fleet while David Hudson and the crew of Spirt of Cape Town lie in third.

This evening, the free beer is flowing again, prior to the class AGM. A BBQ and charity auction in aid of Sail 4 Cancer which has been supported by our Gold Tier Sponsor Neilson Active Holidays.

Results are subject to protest and can be found at: http://www.bmyc.org.uk/racing/SB3%20Nationals/results.asp

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Summer has officially returned to the south coast of the UK today for the first day of racing at the 2010 Neilson Active Holiday Laser SB3 National Championships. 41 boats departed Brighton Marina this morning for the first 3 races of their 12 race championship series.

The South African’s are on great form, posting a 3, 3, 1 on the score board today and are clearly in the grove for a good championship performance. “The conditions were great today, sunshine, good breeze and surfing, as well as 3 ‘keeper results’ on day one, it’s set us up well,” reported Roger Hudson as they returned to the dock this afternoon.

‘The Kids’ on Rola Trac had a great first day, according to Tim Saxton they sailed, “…better than expected” and really enjoyed the downwind legs where they were able to pick off boats. “We’ve not really sailed in big waves before in the Laser SB3 so we are really pleased with our performance.” 2008 Laser SB3 World Champion Geoff Carveth and crew of Emma Clarke, Sandy Ramus and Toby Litton won race 1 and the additional prize of a crew dinner at the Memories of India this evening. “What a lovely day sailing, the conditions were great considering the forecast! ‘The Kids’ were on good form today and will certainly be giving us some pressure this week, and a curry to top it off, perfect.”

2010 World Champion, Jerry Hill has been deserted by his winning crew, but despite this had a good couple of races with one less good result. “I’m sailing with Richard Lovering and Matt Alverado, my crew from the Le Crouesty event in France in 2006, we might have had a bad third race today, but we are definitely still in the hunt!”

Coach, Barry Dunning, observing from a RIB also enjoyed the days racing on the “Costa del Brighton”. Barry is attending the event as a coach to one of the competing teams who’s performance today was described as Eau-k. “Today has really shown how quality stands up, there’s been some really good boat handling at the upper end of the fleet.”

In 2009, Mike Budd lead the National Championships after the first day of sailing, however, having not set foot in his Laser SB3 this year, he’s a little rusty, “We were black flagged in the first race which knocked us, but the conditions were great, the boat speed was good and Budd, Budd and Jackson will be back on form tomorrow I’m sure!” Dave Cheyne, President of the Laser SB3 Class Association claimed sore hands after his first day of sailing at the front of the boat for a long time, “the spongy tiller extension’s a lot easier on the hands,” joked Cheyne  as he came ashore having joined Charlie Whelan and Richard McAdam onboard ‘Here Comes Bod’ for the event. 

Overnight the fleet is lead by David Hudson (Spirit of Cape Town) followed by Craig Burlton (Gill Race Team) and Geoff Carveth (Core Elements) in third.  he fleet return ashore to barbecued burgers and free beer, the hospitality and organisation of Brighton Marina Yacht Club has been first class, we’re in for a great event this week!

Results are subject to protest and can be found at: http://www.bmyc.org.uk/racing/SB3%20Nationals/results.asp

Author: Susan Boyd, Location: Australia

If you were mixing the perfect sailing cocktail it would be made up of one part 15 knot trade winds, one part sunny skies and a temperature of 24degC and one part frolicking humpback whales with the main ingredient 200 boats racing on turquoise waters with the stunning Whitsunday Islands their backdrop.

Following a postponement ashore this morning while the breeze settled, that exact recipe was what was served up at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week for day four of racing, the best sailing conditions so far. With the promise of a 20-25 knot southeast change tomorrow the grins are this afternoon even wider on the sun-tinged faces of the two thousand odd sailors contesting the 27th edition of Australia’s premier keelboat regatta.

The huge fleet was split up today with the race committee, under the leadership of Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson, running a number of different start areas and courses.

For the first time at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week the SB3 class took to the waters, their designated course area to the north of Plum Pudding Island, and with a couple of sailing celebrities in their midst. Round the world sailor Jessica Watson was on the bow of Lumix and the CEO of Hamilton Island, Glenn Bourke, a multiple world champion, Olympic and America’s Cup sailor stepped off the 30m Wild Oats XI to skipper Rod Jones’ SB3, Club Marine Blue.

The Superyachts took a day off racing today, creating an opportunity for the SB3 class to benefit from Bourke’s considerable expertise in one design racing, and with three wins from three races he hasn’t lost his touch. Being the gentleman he is, Bourke subsequently retired from all three races putting Phillip Gray’s Dulon Polish into first place on the SB3’s progressive pointscore.

Stephen Ainsworth’s RP63 Loki sailed another impeccable race, the 24 nautical mile course taking the Grand Prix fleet around Baynham and Pentecost islands, to maintain their leading edge in the series pointscore seven points clear of the nearest threat, the Iain Murray-skippered RP66 Wild Oats X owned by Bob Oatley.

With round the world sailor Anthony ‘Youngster’ Merrington calling tactics, respected Irish born Gordon Maguire on the helm, and a crew that has a champion’s aura, Loki is making a big imprint on the Race Week scoresheet, clocking up four overall wins and a fourth, their worst result.

Peter Millard’s 98-footer Lahana from Sydney is leading the IRC Grand Prix ‘gun boat’ for the most number of line honours scalps from five races.

The Performance Racing fleet had their first windward/leeward races today on the eastern course area to the south of Fitzalan Passage in the 12-15 knot south east breeze and bumpy seas. Points are tight at the top of the division two results with just two points separating the first four places, led by Ian Ford’s Beneteau 40.7 Whalewatchingsydney, and a similar situation in division one.

Racing in Performance Racing is immediate past CYCA Commodore Matt Allen and Warwick Rooklyn’s Melges 24 Bandit, and the three Sydney black 32s – Hamilton Mentor, Lincoln Mentor and Ocean Mentor – donated by local resident Peter Teakle to Port Lincoln Yacht Club, Southport Yacht Club and Hamilton Island Yacht Club to foster youth sailing at those clubs.

With today’s results factored in, Harvey Milne’s Archambault 31 Aroona has reclaimed the Audi IRC Australian Championship lead from Loki, out in front on 9.99 points, Loki on 13.21 points and Peter Horn’s King 40 Canute on 21.75 points including one drop for each.

Crews only have one more day to prepare their boats and outfits for the Prix D ‘Elegance which will take place this Friday between 9am and 10am as the fleet leaves the harbour for racing. Prizes will be awarded in two categories:

The Best Presented Yacht and Crew (yacht in first-class trim, and matching crew uniforms)
The Best Fun-Themed Yacht and Crew (let your imagination run wild)

Tasmanian former world Dragon champion Nick Rogers felt right at home on the SB3 course at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week today. The dark skies, cooler temperatures minus the snow peaked mountain in the background and a top puff of 22 knots created conditions similar to those experienced by the hardy Derwent River sailors, and the Tasmanian’s shined.

‘They were the strongest conditions we’ve sailed in so far in the class,’ said Rogers, who is steering the SB3 called Toll Shipping with Chris Keil and Julian Salter, a well known International Moth sailor.

Toll Shipping is leading the series pointscore after seven races thanks to today’s two firsts, a second and a third.

Their third result came in today’s opening race, the same race in which Rogers thought he’d take a quick dip at the top mark.

‘We went around the top mark and I kept going,’ said Rogers. ‘Luckily I was still hanging onto the mainsheet but by the time the crew realised I was gone I was being dragged about three boat lengths behind.

‘The crew went to put the kite up then turned around and saw I wasn’t where I was supposed to be,’ laughed Rogers who indignantly had to haul himself back to the boat while the crew looked on, finding the whole situation amusing.

Rogers’ usual ride is back at home so for this regatta he chartered the SB3 just purchased by Hobart’s Steven Chow.

Having road tested the new boat during the three day SB3 Wild Oats Challenge, Rogers will trailer Chow’s pre-loved boat to Hobart and deliver it to him.

With SB3 world champion Glenn Bourke, the island’s CEO, making a guest appearance on the course yesterday, Rogers took the opportunity to ask him for a bit of advice so prior to joining the crew of Wild Oats XI today for the Superyacht race, Bourke went through Toll Shipping’s set up with the keen skipper.

‘Glenn really helped me, I could feel the difference straight away. Yesterday we didn’t have the boat sailing nearly as well.’

Talking about the strength of the SB3 class in Hobart, Rogers says they’ve managed to get the fleet to seven in just three months.

It seems the SB3 class is full of chivalry with Bourke giving up his three wins yesterday and today Rod Jones, the boat charterer, gave his SB3 Club Marine Blue to round the world sailor Jessica Watson’s crew after they found a crack in their spinnaker pole before the opening race of the day.

‘I’m not sure whether I’m a knight in shining armour or just an obligated boat charterer,’ laughed Jones.

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The final day of the SB3 Wild Oats Challenge, with the prize the winning skipper’s weight in Wild Oats wine, will wrap up tomorrow with two races scheduled.

All competitors of the UK National Championships need to download and read the following documents, including Sailing Instructions.

General Information Getting There
General Information Lift In Out & Berthing
Sailing Instructions

The picturesque warm and friendly waters of the Whitsunday Islands will present Sunshine Coast teenage solo sailor Jessica Watson with different sailing experience today.

Jessica captured the admiration of supporters around the world after successfully steering the little sloop Ella’s Pink Lady through some of the wildest sailing places on the planet.

This time, the energetic teenager, who has proved her passion for mastering the physically and mentally demanding challenge of solo sailing will not be alone, as she will crew for friend Matthew Jones as his for’ard hand aboard Lumix by Panasonic in the SB3 class which is racing at Hamilton Island for the first time.

“I will be up the front of the boat as the wind and wave shield,” Watson said.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” she added during a press conference at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, after she was named Ambassador of Tourism Queensland’s 2010 -2011 Season of Sailing.

“Jessica is a genuine Queensland inspiration and has developed an international profile which makes her the fit for the Season of Sailing campaign,” Tourism parliamentary secretary Steve Wettenhall said.

“I’m happy to encourage more people to take up the sport of sailing.

Responding, Watson said: “The Season of Sailing offers everyone, from all age groups, to get out there and give it a go.”

Watson will try to help Jones defeat his uncle Rod, who is also the Australian distributor of the SB3. Jones Snr is a dab hand who was the inaugural winner of the Audi IRC Australian Championship in 2007, which he won again in 2009.

She and Jones will also be competing against big names including Australian Dragon champion Nick Rogers from Tasmania, and former Australian 505 champion Phil Gray from Mooloolaba. Hamilton Island’s multiple National title winning boardsailor Dennis Whinstanly will also be hard to beat.

Rod Jones has left nothing to chance in his title challenge with his high performance sports boat Club Marine Blue. He will have Australian Olympic and Paralympic coach Adrian Finglas is on trim and tactics and Greg Macallansmith in the bow.

The series will be sailed on windward/leeward courses off Catseye Bay starting today.

The Royal Southern Yacht Club announces the first competition for the Royal Southern Academy Match Cup to be held in November 2010 and March 2011 in Laser SB3 keel boats. 

The new event follows the formation of the Royal Southern Academy in March 2010 and the success of one of its first events, the jointly run Southampton Solent University match racing championship.  Building on that success and the growing popularity of match racing, the Royal Southern Academy Match Cup is planned as an annual Open ISAF graded event.

The event is open to all international and national sailors.  The maximum crew weight is 270kg, which is the Laser SB3 class weight. This allows teams to enter with a maximum of 4 people and a minimum of 3.  Although the event is Open, some invitations will be reserved for University teams and there will be supplementary prizes for the best University and Under-25 teams. 

There will be two qualifier rounds on 20/21 November 2010 and 5/6 March 2011, with 12 places available for each qualifier.  The top 6 teams from each round will qualify for a place in the finals to be held on 26/27 March 2011.

The event will be sailed in Laser SB3’s supplied by Pelican Racing. An application has been made to ISAF for the event to be graded at level 4 and all matches will be umpired. 

The Notice of Race will be published on the Royal Southern Yacht Club’s website, www.royal-southern.co.uk  in September.  Entrants will be able to charter SB3s for practice from Pelican Racing at special rates prior to each round.

Potential entrants can register an interest at sailing@royal-southern.co.uk and will be sent further details when available

Dual Audi Australian IRC ocean racing champion Rod Jones will further test his tactical racing skill on familiar waters when he contests the SB3 sports boat championship at Hamilton Island.

The Sunshine Coast skipper who has set a high bench mark on the Mooloolaba Yacht Club honour board has left nothing to chance when he contests the inaugural SB3 championship at the prestigious Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

His tactician will be the Beijing Olympic coach Adrian Finglas who has just returned from the Australian Teams successful World championship campaign in England and Europe.

Finglas besides being a highly respected coach is an outstanding sailor and a master tactician and his inclusion with skipper Rod Jones and the Club Marine Blue crew lists them as a short priced favourite to win the weeklong series starting on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to racing with Rod again it’s been awhile but we have a good understanding”.

“The racing will be very competitive with every crew holding the chance to win in this strict one-design class”. Finglas said.

Rod Jones has proved to be a crafty ocean racing sailor but his talent will be tested by former Australian Sailboard champion Dennis Winstanley in Jump and Australian 505 champion Phil Gray in Dulon.

Both Winstanley and Gray like Rod Jones possess the tactical skill to add an interesting mix to the championship.

Winstanley will be racing in his own playground and his knowledge of the local conditions could provide him with a marginal edge in selecting the best options in sailing against the swift flowing current.

Naturally he has gathered all the important tactical data but will need to protect his sailing space because he will surely have some followers when they line up for the first race on Saturday.

Phil Gray who has contested an Australian 505 dinghy championship off Catseye Bay is also tactically well prepared.

Interest will also focus on the all female crew challenge headed by Lauren Calder and her Audi Sailing Girls racing team.

Calder has been known never to offer any favours to her male rivals and this is not expected to change when the battle lines are drawn off Hamilton Island.

Her crew list yet to be confirmed by Race Week officials is expected to include teenage Solo Globe sailor Jessica Watson.

Should this be the case it will be the first SB3 championship event for Jessica Watson.

However she certainly has the proven endurance and the super human will to beat the odds as proved during her seven month globe sailing adventure.

Racing in a warm water environment will also be a welcome change and in complete contrast to experiencing wild knockdowns in the cold Atlantic Ocean.

Ian Grant.

In their first season on the River Derwent, two SB3 sports boats are leading Division two of the Derwent Sailing Squadron’s Boat Sales Tasmania Winter Series going into Sunday’s race four of the five-race series.

Brett and Jacinta Cooper’s Harcourts is on five points from a second and a third while Nick Rogers Tolling Shipping has six points from a first and a fifth on corrected time. The opening race was abandoned because of lack of wind.

Sunday’s race will be a final tune-up before the two Tasmanian crews fly to Hamilton Island to compete in the SB3 division at Race Week from 21-28 August. Among their opposition will be round-the-world teenage sailor Jessica Watson who has entered an SB3 for the regatta.

Two more SB3s are expected to join Sunday’s race – Wedgewood, now owned by David Graney and Steve Henley, and a brand new, as yet un-named boat, launched this week for David Kirkland.

The two SB3s to be helmed by Nick Rogers and Brett Cooper at Hamilton Island will be brought to Tasmania following Race Week for their new owners, Steve Chau and Stephen Catchpool. This will boost the local fleet to six boasts and enable the SB3s to race as a class in the Summer Pennants on the Derwent.

‘If we can get to ten boats this summer this class will take off on the Derwent as the major one-design class,’ said Rogers, a former world and Australian champion in the International Dragon class. ‘I’m certain we will have six or seven boats racing here by the start of summer.’

In contrast to the two SB3 sports boats, the veteran ocean racing yacht Natelle II is third overall on nine points going into Sunday’s Division two race with the DSS, with skipper Glen Roper notched up a third and a sixth on handicap.

The pointscore situation is also close in Division one and Division three. The former Sydney Hobart yacht Dump Truck, a Ker 11.3 now owned by Edward Fader and Justin Wells, heads Division one with a first and a fourth, while a close second is the Farr 40 Voodoo Chile, owned by Lloyd Clark and Andrew Hunn, so far placing scond and fifth. A close third is the Sydney 38 Ciao Baby (Chau/Borlase) with a seventh and a first.

Three yachts are locked on six points in Division three – Storm Petrel (Roger Jackson) with a first and a fifth, Epoxy Warrior (Ross Mannering) with a fourth and a second, and Ragtime (Tom Kirkland) with a 2-4 scorecard. Just one point back is Rotary (Norm Brundle) with a 6-1 result.

So UK Chairman and multiple times UK National Champion, Jerry Hill, become the 3rd SB3 World Champion, winning in convincing style from the 16 Nation all star fleet. Yet again Roger Hudson from South Africa had to settle for runner up, sailing with Ian Ainslie, and who would bet against him finally laying that one to rest in 2011. And what a sparkling perfomance from Team Saxton and Sarah Allen in 3rd and 4th slots.
 
It was an awesome week, with five days of great racing on the glorious Lake Garda, and with the growth in the Italian fleet, it looks good for years to come in the region, and Europe as a whole, for the SB3 fleet.
 
Attention now turns to May 2011, where the fleet turns to Torbay in the SW of England, for the battle for the 4th SB3 World Champion.
 
Expect big names, big fleets and above all, a big reception from the UK fleet, for what promises to be an amazing event, and who knows, despite home advantage, what are the chances of the UK sailors finally relinquishing the trophy they have held since its inception in 2008 in Dublin…….
 
Bring it on!!”

Dave Cheyne, President, World Council

With just 3 days left in the office until Cowes Week starts, I thought I’d drop you a note regarding a couple of points! Read the rest of this entry »

Date: Friday 23rd July 2010

Competitors took to Lake Garda this morning for races 13 and 14 of the Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships. The Gold Fleet to the Yellow/Torbole course and the Silver Fleet to the Blue/Riva course. The fleet was full of tired but determined faces as the fleets cast off the pontoons. Hill (GBR) and Burlton (GBR) both “appeared” remarkably cool going into the final day of racing, with just 4 crucial points separating them, it seems appearances were deceptive.

Conditions were lively on both race courses, with a constant 18 knots of wind at the start of racing. The Gold Fleet, enthusiastic as ever to get race 13 underway were recalled having jumped the line with 15 seconds to the gun. With the well worn black flag raised, and the course re-set after a 20 degree wind shift the Gold Fleet were underway for their penultimate race of the Championship. Ian Ainslie (RSA) and crew pulled out a great lead on the fleet in the first lap of the windward leeward course and finished the race over a minute ahead of Geoff Carveth (GBR) in second place. Jerry Hill (GBR) finished eighth, Luca Rodion (RUS) finished ninth and Craig Burlton (GBR) finished tenth. It was all to play for in the final race.

Yet again the fleet were recalled on the first attempt of starting the final race of the championships and only got away after the black flag was hoisted. The glorious Garda sunshine finally ran out as the fleet beat to the windward mark, the black clouds burst and the wind dropped to 8 knots and swung back 30 degrees. The Race Officer was in a quandary; finish the race in unstable conditions or shorten the course after the first lap? As the fleet were making their final approaches to the leeward gate, the race committee raised the Tango flag and signalled to the fleet to finish. Unfortunately for many of the fleet, the flag was not recognised and only a canny few held their kites and carried on to the finish line.

Adrian Peach, Niall Myant, Nathan Batchelor and Ian Mills (GBR) won the final race of the Championship. “I think that half the fleet didn’t read their sailing instructions! I was sailing with 3 coaches, who had ALL read the SI’s! My tactician, Nathan used to coach the Topper fleet, and immediately recognised the “T” flag!” explained Peach. “My son has been on the phone asking me to get him a bullet; I didn’t think it was going to be possible but it was a great way to finish the event!”

32 boats in the Gold Fleet did not react to the Tango flag and continued to sail the course leaving them outside the 15 minute time limit for the Championship and as a result added a “Did Not Finish” (DNF) results to their score sheet. As the fleet came ashore and realised their mistake, their faces feel and disappointment soared. A disappointing finish for many Championship campaigns.

Ben Saxton, Tim Saxton, Nicola Brook and Matt Rainback (GBR) the young crew onboard Rola-Trac were scored DNF in the final race, but in spite of this, finished the Volvo Laser SB3 World Championship in third place, a fantastic achievement considering this is the crew’s first season in the boat. Rola-Trac will be a boat to be watched in the future and we look forward to seeing them on the podium this evening.

Ian Ainslie, Roger Hudson and Adam Martin (RAS) from Proximo finished in second place. “A hatrick of second’s for me at the SB3 Worlds!” claimed Hudson. The South African’s are always a favourite at SB3 events, will their luck change in time for the UK Worlds?

After 14 races, with scores including 3, 5, 1, 4, 1, 11, 1, 1, 27, 18, 1, 2, 8, 9 Jerry Hill, Joe Lewellyn and Grant Rollerson (GBR) are World Champions in the Laser SB3 Class. Catching up with Jerry Hill after racing, he explained, “We’ve been fast all week and we’ve sailed really well together. We’ve had 5 first and lots of other top 5 results. Our problem at previous World Championships has been carrying “big results”. I have to admit, I was in pieces this morning and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to hold it together, I really didn’t think I could cope. But we sailed really well today, we didn’t have a great start to the first race today, we found ourselves quite deep, but we pulled back places and managed to get in front of  Craig [Burlton].  Going into the last race we had 6 points on Craig [Burlton] and 8 points on Ian [Ainslie]. We sailed really well up wind and stayed with Ian [Ainslie] and Craig [Burlton]. At the leeward gate we saw the “T” flag, but also saw that nobody was going to the finish, so we headed up wind and tried to find the Sailing Instructions…they were soggy, but when we saw some of the back markers of the fleet sailing for the finish, we hoisted the chute. Our World Championship title rested on this decision. I am ecstatic that we were right and I am looking forward to celebrating tonight!”

The Silver Fleet is won by Vincenzo Graciotti who racked up an impressive 6 first places in the finals.

With 14 races completed and a great time had by all, the 2010 Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships concludes this evening with the prize giving ceremony at the Circolo Vela Torbole.

In 2011 the Laser SB3 World Championships will be hosted by the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK from Monday 16th – Friday 20th May.

Championship website with full results, images and video can be found at: http://worlds2010.lasersb3.com

Date: Thursday 22nd July 2010
For races 10, 11 and 12 of the Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships the Gold Fleet moved to the winder Bravo Course underneath the Riva cliffs. With increased wind strengths of 20 knots, the Gold Fleet were in for some spectacular racing. With points separation tight at the top of the fleet, everyone left the dock looking for some success.

Consistency is often the key factor in Laser SB3 racing. Jerry Hill (GBR), Craig Burlton (GBR) and John Pollard (GBR) are testament to this. Each team carries some hefty discard results, but at present these three boats lead the gold fleet. Jerry Hill, Joe Llewellyn and Grant Rollerson currently hold a 4 point lead over Burlton and a 14 point lead over Pollard. Consistency for Hill will be key for the two final races of the Championship.

Both South African entries to the event lie in the top 10 leading into the final day of racing. Ian Ainslie, Roger Hudson and Adam Martin (RSA) on City of Cape Town lie fifth overall and David Hudson, David Rae, Marlon Jones and Roscoe Cupido (RSA) enjoyed a better day today onboard Spirit of Cape Town leaving them in tenth position. “We managed a repeat performance today of our results on the first day of racing, a first a second! Our tactics have been to take a mid line starts, gaining us clear air which seems to have benefitted us today. We’ve been the first boat onto port, and although we’ve had to duck a few boats on our way to the cliffs, it seems to have worked,” explained helm David Hudson. “Our crew had been working really hard. It is the first time that Roscoe has sailed a Laser SB3 which has been a great learning experience for him, he’s a regular Mirror sailor and will hopefully take his experience from this event to the Mirror World Championships.”

Luca Rodion, Oleg Zherebtsov, Maria Rudskaja and Alexander Lebedev had a difficult day today. After rounding the windward mark first in the final race of the day, they dropped to third position. Luca Rodion described his day, “We are really enjoying the Laser SB3, but we know that we have a lot to learn. Small things make a huge difference in this boat, especially in this wind. It’s great practice for us and we hope to have improved a lot more for the Worlds in 2011.” 

Vincenzo Graciotti had another great day in the Silver Fleet posting a 1, 1, 1. When asked as he came ashore if he’d had a good day he answered, “even better than yesterday!”

Ukrainian team, Transbunker, crewed by Valeri Polovoy, Valentin Klymentyer and Valdimir Stasiyk are showing their metal in the finals races of the silver fleet, scoring 4, 2, 4, 3, 2, 4. Having travelled for 4 days from the Ukraine the team are enjoying their sailing on Lake Garda, “We think the event is great, we are enjoying sailing in a big fleet but we didn’t expect so much wind, it’s not very common on the Black Sea.”

Tomorrow sees the final 2 races of the 2010 Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships. All eyes will be on the 3 leading GRB boats in the Gold Fleet.

Championship website: http://worlds2010.lasersb3.com

Date: Wednesday 21st July 2010

With last night’s protests completed, the Gold and Silver Fleets were decided for the Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships finals. A further 3 races were scheduled for each of the fleets today. All races were all completed taking the Championship race tally to 9. The Gold Fleet is incredibly strong, including many great sailors with past Laser SB3 pedigree as well as a number of strong contenders from the wider sailing world. The Silver Fleet may not be racing for the Waterford Championships Trophy, but do not be fooled, their fleet will be competitive to the very end.

On the third attempt, the Gold Fleet were successfully away under the fear of a black flag start. The majority of the fleet picked the left hand side of the course, but at the windward mark, the right hand side of the course had clearly paid.

UK Class Chairman, Jerry Hill (GBR) and his crew onboard 3 Sad Old Blokes notched up some great results for their first finals races taking bullets in the first and second races today. Hill lead to the first windward mark in each race and extended his lead on each leg. It was suggested to Hill that he had made it look easy to win those races, his response, “I’m sure we will make it look very hard before the end of the event!”

Geoff Carveth was back in race mode today, having suffered a broken rudder gudgeon yesterday. Ben Saxton and his young crew onboard Rola-Trac are enjoying great consistency during their first season in the Laser SB3, they’ve posted some excellent results so far and are certainly a boat to watch at this event and in the future.

Gill Race Team’s Craig Burlton, Steve ‘AB’ White and Adam Heeley (GBR) had a frustrating first race today, but managed to turn their success around with 2 second places in races 8 and 9. Steve ‘AB’ White said, “It was a tough day at the office today, very few boats managed consistency in all 3 races and only Sarah Allan (GBR) finished in the top 10 in each race. We seem to be a magnet to Luca Rodion (RUS), each race we are sailing in the same piece of water!” Burlton and Rodion lie first and second respective in the Gold Fleet, perhaps that is more of a reason for the 2 teams magnetism!

Boomsticks, helmed by Brian Reilly and crewed by brother Paul Reilly and John O’Dowd (IRL) had a successful day on the Silver Fleet race course finishing the day with a 2, 3, 1 to add to their results. Their closest competition appears to be the Italians onboard Bravi helmed by Vincenzo Graciotti who took two bullets and a fifth today.

Vincenzo Graciotti leads the Silver Fleet overnight, and claims, “I can compete in this fleet because I have silver hair! Today we wore our lucky bear t-shirts, perhaps tonight we will wash them and wear them again tomorrow!”

Championship website with results, images & video: http://worlds2010.lasersb3.com

Date: Tuesday 20th July 2010

With freshly split fleets, the Volvo Laser SB3 World Championship fleet took to the water at lunchtime for races 4, 5 and 6 of the Championship. The wind arrived from the south, as per schedule.

The fleet racing on Course Alpha split course sides on the first beat of the day. Those who picked the right hand side benefitted, Nick Phillip’s “Chaotic” (GBR) rounded the windward mark first and set off to dice with the windsurfers at the leeward gate. Carsten Kemmling (GER) sailing Else showed great pace today. As the fleet roared downwind for the 2nd time creating a wall of spray as the wind built, their faces said it all. With grins from ear to ear, these were perfect conditions for Laser SB3 sailing! Nick Philips capitalised on his great early lead to win the first race.

Course Bravo enjoyed stronger wind from the start of the day, and by the beginning of the second race, the wind had built to a consistent 18 knots. As soon as the fleet crossed the line, the race was on to hit the cliffs and start short tacking up the shoreline. As the fleet rounded the windward mark for the first time, there was much less separation of the fleet, than seen on Course Alpha.

Ian Ainslie (RSA) onboard Team Proximo sailed a perfect second race today. Ainslie started at the Committee Boat end of the line and quickly picked his way to the front of the fleet, where he stayed for the rest of the race. By the end of the second downwind leg of the race, Ainslie had extended his lead to a full leg; as he rounded the final leeward mark of the course and dropped his kite, the final boat was rounding the spreader mark at the top of the course. Impressive sailing after a difficult day yesterday, Team Proximo are back in contention for the Championships.

Course Alpha struggled with their starts today, due to the consistently shifting wind. Roberta Righetti finally raised a black flag on the final race of the day, following the fifth general recall in 2 races. “It was extremely difficult for the fleet with the shifting wind, with 1 minute and then 30 seconds to go before the start they were well behind the line and with just moments to go they were all taken over with a wind shift. That is why I continued to start the race with flag papa.

By the time the final race on Course Alpha was started the fleet from Course Bravo were already ashore enjoying some of the fantastic Torbole hospitality. Italian LaserPerformance dealer, Peitro Negri (ITA) and his crew onboard Stenghele won the final race of the day, the first win of the Championship for the host nation!

With the qualifying races of the Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships completed, the finals races begin tomorrow. Going into the finals, Craig Burlton (GBR) still leads the fleet, by 1 point. Jerry Hill (GBR) and Luka Rodion (RUS) both finish 6 races with 14 points, following 1 discard. They are split on count back with Hill in the lead.  The pressure is on at the top of the gold fleet. It will take mental strength as well as sailing skill to win this event.

Championship website: http://worlds2010.lasersb3.com

Date: Monday 19th July 2010

Racing got underway today for the Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships 2010 at Torbole on Lake Garda, Italy. Three races were scheduled on two race courses, Course Alfa “Torbole” (yell0w) and Course Bravo “Riva” (blue).

Watching the racing from the Committee Boat on Course Alpha, it was clear that the racing conditions were exactly as described in the brochure, “At 1230 hrs, the Ora wind will arrive from the south of the Lake”….and it did, enabling Principal Race Officer Roberta Righetti, to get the fleet away on time with a clear start. Course Brava started soon after, having suffered a slight delayed whilst the Race Committee struggled to anchor the pin end mark.

Typically for Course Alpha, the fleet bunched at the pin end of the start line, before heading off to hug the shore all the way to the windward mark. The same side of the course remained the favourite for downwind leg. Luca Bacci (ITA) rounded the windward mark in first place, and lead for the remainder of the race, extending his lead at times to over 150 metres as the wind built. Bacci (ITA) went on to win race 1 on Course A, followed by Sarah Allan (GBR), Craig Burlton (GBR) and Mark Rushall (GBR). All 3 boats all sponsored by Gill.

Course Bravo enjoyed, “Perfect Riva racing conditions” according to Jerry Hill (GBR) helm of 3 Sad Old Blokes. “With a 3, 5, 1 today the Sad Old Blokes have plenty to build on and Grunter (bowman Grant Rollerson) showed his grunt at the front of the ship.”

Team Proximo (RSA) helmed by Ian Ainslie suffered a broken pole during the first downwind leg of race 1 forcing them to sail without a pole for the rest of the race in which they still managed to finish second. Their subsequent results will be a disappointment to their event ambitions.

Current Laser SB3 World Champions Craig Burlton leads the fleet overnight. When ask how his day was he answered, “Hard, very hard. But great fun.”

Racing continues tomorrow when the fleets will split again onto the two courses, this time sorted by odd and even finishing position. For now, the crews return ashore happy after a great days competition to enjoy a feast of pasta and beer provided by Circolo Vela Torbole.

More tomorrow…

Championship website: http://worlds2010.lasersb3.com

Date: Saturday 17th July 2010
Racing for the 2010 Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships begins on Monday 19th July and runs until Friday 23rd July at Torbole on Lake Garda, Italy. 108 entries represent 16 nations. 2 fleets will compete in a minimum of 6 qualifying races, before splitting into Gold and Silver Fleets for the finals races. 14 races are scheduled for the Championships. Racing will start at 1300 hrs on Monday 19th July.
 
The Laser SB3 class last enjoyed international competition on Lake Garda in 2005 when the European Championships were hosted at neighbouring town, Riva del Garda. Judging by the size of the fleet that have travelled to compete in the 2010 Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships, the choice of location for this event was correct!

The majority of the 108 boat fleet have now arrived in Torbole and rigging, registration and launching are well underway in the soaring temperatures delivered by the heat wave that Europe is experiencing.

The inevitable discussion of the favourite for the Championships Title is rife. There is talent a plenty and nobody is willing to place their life savings on an easy champion. Craig Burlton and crew, having recently won the Italian National Championship in Torbole, will defend his 2009 World Championships title. Geoff Carveth, 2008 Laser SB3 World Champion returns to the fleet in 2010. Russia is represented by Rodin Luca of 49er class fame. Luca recently made his presence felt in the Laser SB3 class at the Euro Cup hosted by the Ecole Navale at Morgat in France. Roger Hudson and Ian Ainslie join forces in one of the two South African “Race Ahead” boats, with the hope of glory in 2010, Roger having finished in second position at both of the previous world championships.

One practice race is scheduled for Sunday [tomorrow] at 1500 hrs leaving enough time for final preparations and those arriving late to switch into World Championship race mode in the morning.

One thing is certain, the competition will tough from the first to the last race and consistency will be crucial for the top boats.

A report and the results will be sent daily. Stay tuned to watch the action unfold.

Championship website: http://worlds2010.lasersb3.com

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SB3 Hamilton Island, Australia - Sunshine Coast female skipper Lauren Calder will again test her one-design racing skill against a formidable fleet during the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week SB3 class championship next month.

Lauren and her all female crew have built a respectable reputation from the important experience gained from competing at the 2009 World championship in Portugal and the 2010 Audi Australian championship at Port Stephens in April.

Racing in a fleet dominated by physically stronger all male crews has become a career ‘benchmark’ for the Audi Girls who have made their presence felt with encouraging top of the fleet race results in major championships and were encouraged with their mid-fleet scorecard at the Australian championship.

They understand their racing role will generally always fall into playing ‘catch up’ but this has not affected their overwhelming enthusiasm which is evidenced in all of their races.

The strict class rules and clone nature of the SB3 provide all crews with an equal opportunity but the longer stronger and heavier hiking power of the male crews generally means the difference in results favouring the male crews in the stronger winds.

However both skipper Lauren Calder and her crew are not about to give up and treat every struggle in moderate to fresh winds as another step towards narrowing the gap.

Sailing the SB3 combines all aspects of sailing skill with the combination between helming, crew sail handling technique and race strategy making the difference between competing at the front of the fleet or faced with trying to maintain a competitive speed at the back of the fleet.

Racing in a one design class is demanding but it is rewarded with a high level of excitement and fellowship where the top crews freely offer their experience to improve the standard of fleet racing.

The Audi Girls racing team will again be exposed to another physically demanding challenge when face up against a very competitive fleet in the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week championship from August 21-28.

They have never raced at Hamilton Island before and understand it will be a different challenge particularly when they line up to contest the best position on the start line against class mentor and dual Audi Australian IRC champion Rod Jones and local Australian Sailboard champion Dennis Winstanley.

Winstanley is new to the class while Rod Jones is expected to be the pacesetter in what promises to become a highlight of the multi-class championship regatta.

Meanwhile Lauren Calder and the Mooloolaba based Oceanburo SB3 racing fleet will continue with the female program.

‘We are looking for female sailors who are dedicated to improving their skills all they need is to know the basics’.

‘The benefits and opportunities are endless with the exposure to compete at the 2012 World Championship in Geelong as a career goal’. Rod Jones said.

….if this doesn’t whet your appetite for the World Championships in Lake Garda, nothing will! Enjoy!

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After much hard work by local sailor Ed Russo, a new SB3 fleet has been developed in Normandy and this year secured a class start at the very popular Normandy Sailing Week in early June.  After 4 years at Deauville the event moved to Le Havre and over 100 boats took part on 3 race areas. 

With a separate start and first away every day the SB3 fleet shared a race course with the sportsboats, Open 6.5 class and the Beneteau 7.5, the FFV endorsed boat for club use around France, and on one day the J80 fleet.  From a visitor’s point of view it was interesting, and reassuring, to compare the performance of the smaller SB3 against the other classes.

The logistics suggested leaving the UK on the Thursday overnight ferry and returning to the UK by 2100hrs on Sunday evening, travelling by LD Lines ferry, one of the event sponsors.  With the promise of up to 12 races over 3 days, only one day off work, French hospitality and a forecast of sunshine the ‘Baloo et Zhik’ team found it impossible to refuse the invitation, but the unfortunate clash with Seaview meant they were the only visitors.  That did have the advantage that we were superbly hosted by Ed and his fledgling Normandy SB3 fleet, by Manfred and the team at Sirius Evenements, and the yacht club staff.

Over the 3 days we raced on each of the three race areas, with some very interesting tidal effects, in a variety of conditions from ‘waiting for wind’ to 20 plus knots, and our Race Officer managed to slot in 10 races despite wanting to finish early enough to allow ‘the visitor’ to de-rig and catch the ferry home!  We were even given priority on the crane over the Farr 30 class, assisted in no small way by our shore manager!!

This new and developing fleet in Normandy has a lot of potential to develop and grow, with the young sailors of the ‘local league’ showing excellent performance progression over the weekend, first time in the boat.  I would urge anyone, given the opportunity to go and support them at events.  Add the normal French event hospitality, moules et vin and why would you not support them.  Early discussions are taking place for an event out there early in 2011, maybe a two weekend event, one Normandy one UK, maybe including Normandy Sailing Week, so watch this space.

Once again, Ed, Manfred and everyone else, thank you for a wonderful weekend.

Amongst a total of 45 entries of which 24 were Italians competing for their National title, seven UK crews took advantage of an early test on Lake Garda over three days through 25th to 27th June. With more entries from South Africa, Russia, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Ireland and the UAE the event had a true international flavour.

Our hosts in Torbole arranged three races per day with the Ora duly on hand for each day’s racing in circa 30 degree temps, blue skies and the Vista one would expect from Lake Garda (along with the multitude of windsurfers at the bottom of the course).

Day one kicked off with circa 12 knots around the course and wins to Luka Bacci (Phi) and Ian Ainslie x 2 (Team Promximo – ex Spirit of Cape Town). Many experienced mixed results through the day with most having at least one race below par and Luca led by 12 points after day one from four teams equal in 2nd.

Most of the GB teams took advantage of the local establishments on Friday evening along with the Irish and Russian crews also seen in the Pizzerias a short walk from our host club with the following day’s start not scheduled to 1PM one even decided to make the most of the balmy conditions and stay by the lake to watch the sunrise.

Saturday’s conditions were slightly fresher with leaders at various times coming from both sides of the course. Wins on day 2 went to Ian Ainslie, Dave Hudson and Pierlo Nigri with points tightening as worst races were dropped from scores and Gill Race Team now leading by three points from Luca Bacci and Ian Ainslie. At this stage no GB team had won a race despite representation at the head of the fleet being robust whilst Luka Rodda of Team Russia had gone close in race 5 just missing out to Dave Hudson.

Sunday’s racing was brought forward an hour, however the Ora didn’t quite accommodate the fleet with the breeze only just beginning to flow at the first attempt of warning signal. Racing got under way in ten knots building to 15-20 knots during the course of the day. GB teams won races 7 and 8 with Andy Oddie getting a bullet in his pocket, followed by Gill Race Team who then won the penultimate race of the series.

The final race commenced with only Gill Race Team and Team Proximo in contention for the overall while Luca Bacci already had the Italian Championship in the bag. As it turned out the result went down to the wire as Proximo sailed through the fleet to win the final heat having rolled the dice successfully on the final run of the event. The final result saw Gill Race Team win by a single point with the team of Craig Burlton, Adam Heeley and Stephen White aboard missing the presentation in order to make a flight back to the UK and resume ‘normal’ responsibilities.

Cercolo Vela Torbole treated the crews to standard, on continent, hospitality with Peroni and Volvo supporting the event all were well looked after when coming ashore. Our thanks to the club and committee for an excellent event and all the international representatives which made the racing top quality – multiple Olympic games reps, medalists, American’s Cup crew and various class world champions included. No thanks to the striking air traffic controllers and payage staff who made the event less straight forward than it ought to have been!

Video coverage courtesy of Volvo http://www.youtube.com/user/MediavipVolvoCup#g/c/10F6BFF6EE5E97F8

The Singapore SB3 fleet held an impromptu days racing on Saturday 19th June as various member of the fleet will be away over the next few weeks as school holidays start to kick in across the various international schools.

A competitive fleet of 5 boats, were marshaled by Hulaballoo (Jamie and Ella) who volunteered to be race committee for the day. With a strong tide, a pleasant 12knots of wind and clear blue skies it was all set to be a fun day. As the start gun sounded, Bandit and Vitra were over, and returned to restart, as did the rest of the fleet , causing some initial mayhem. Once the race committee had realized the debacle the race was binned, and a new sequence started. This also allowed Su Me with John P and crew to make it to the start line- as a lack of attention had caused the boat not to be launched on Friday and an anxious wait for high water in order to make the racing on Saturday.

Once more the start was close, Chris and Claire on Bandit, having slowed to make the start, were slow off the line and immediately tacked to the right, which they then hit hard, with the rest of the fleet going inshore. With the tack to the mark, it was painfully clear that inshore paid, and paid well, with Vitra rounding in first place, followed by Dutchess (Bert-Jan and co.) , Su Me, Pyxis (Robin) and Bandit. With a race now to the finish, Vitra ( the Viking raiders)  romped away, only to not receive a gun as they were over at the start. This handed victory to Dutchess, under new ownership of Bert-Jan   with Su Me second and Bandit having sailed slightly higher managing to pass Pyxis in the final race for the line.

With a very short break between the finish and the next sequence, The race officer sent the fleet away again, with the wind reducing and the tide still flowing, it was a long beat, with Dutchess, Su Me and Bandit all choosing to go up the shore, Vitra and Pyxis banged the right hand side of the course. With very little speed difference between the three boats in-shore the call was when to strike out against the tide and go for the mark, Dutchess was the first to break, and judged the layline well, rounding in first place, Bandit went next, but missed a shift allowing Su Me to fetch across the tide to round in 2nd place. The run downwind was more tide driven than wind, at the leeward mark there was some confusion where the race officer had somehow indicated that it was to be 2 x round – needless to say not all the fleet managed to get the message and as they sailed down tide through the finishing line were very surprised to not get a gun, and to see other boats sailing upwind again. This gave the chance for Pyxis and Vitra to catch up, however in the end the positions stayed the same to the finish.

Overall final positions were Dutchess, Su Me, Bandit, Pyxis and Vitra.

Thanks must go to Jamie and Ella for running the racing. The evening saw a Dark & Stormy tasting where the merits of different rums, ginger beers and limes were tasted against each other. One participant was heard to say, “More people should join in as it is so healthy to drink so much fruit juice packed with vitamin C,” coupled with a screening of England Vs Australia (Rugby) and an impromptu football match.  In other fleet news, it was great to see Dutchess out, ( Bert-Jan chuffed in the knowledge that he knows his boat is fast), being guided by Wallace (Glasgow Kiss) imparting some of his knowledge of “sweary words”.  It was sad to see that Kip could not sail due to a nasty rash and a broken nail.

An amendment has been made to the Notice of Race for the 2010 World Championships and Italian National Championships.

Download the amendment here: Amendment to the NOR…2010 Worlds and Italian Nationals

Text of the amendment here:

Amendment to the notice of race: Campionato Italiano Laser SB3 (25-27 June) and Laser SB3 World Championships (19-25 July)

A. The following notice will apply to the above two events:

8. EQUIPEMENT: CLASS RULE VARIATIONS:
As provided in class rule A.6.2 the mandatory equipment rule C.5.1 shall be altered to exclude the following items from the list of mandatory items. Members need not have these items but may sail with them as optional equipment if they wish:
Item 1: Horseshoe lifebuoy attached to stern.
Item 3: Anchor with specified chain.
Item 5. Floating Line attached to the stern
Item 9: Specified flares and watertight bag.

B. Additionally the following notice will apply to the above two events:
Due to the new 2010 SB3 Class rules and after discussion at the Technical Committee and with some World Council members and President, we have listed the following required amendments to the Notice of Race.
 
Rule C.4.2 – OPTIONAL PERSONAL EQUIPEMENT:
GPS is banned at all times in this event.

Rule C.5. MANDATORY EQUIPEMENT
Each competitor shall wear a personal flotation device (life jacket) at all times while afloat.
Each boat shall carry its anchor rope to be used as a towing line when necessary.
                                               
NOTICE OF RACE SUPPORT BOATS
-The class would also point out that support boats are seen as a possible advantage to those who have the additional funding available for such support.  The class requires that the Notice of race states that support boats use will be limited in their contact with competitors to before the first Starting sequence for the first race until after the last race has finished.  The Class also requires that all such boats agree as part of accreditation to be available for boat or personal rescue or towing work at any time on request from the race committee or any official rescue or support boat, and should without delay offer to assist any boat that is dismasted or sinking