Black flag ends Tasmanians chance of winning Cadet Worlds

by Peter Campbell on 5 Jan 2010
A black flag disqualification in the second last race today cost Tasmanians Alec and Samantha Bailey the chance of winning the International Cadet World Championship on the River Plate at Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Despite the setback, Alec (17) and Samantha (12) from Sandy Bay Sailing Club fought back with determination to win the 12th and final heat, their second first place of the regatta, and take third place overall in the best
Australian results in years.

The race committee, frustrated by various attempts to start the fleet in the light breeze, finally hoisted the black flag, a racing rule that means that at the next starting attempt any boat crossing the line before the starting signal is automatically disqualified.

Three crews were 'black flagged' all Australians, the Bailey siblings, Eleanor Ransley and Laura Barker, also from Hobart's SBSC, and Ian Lee and Alex Brzoska from Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

In contrast, the Arentinean crew the Bailey's had to beat to win the worlds, Clara Consentino and Christobal Billoch, made a conservative start, finished sixth and clinched the World title with one race to sail.

'Today was a long and tense day for the Aussie team,' Simon Barker, whose daughter was also sailing at the regatta, said at the end of racing. 'After the euphoria of the previous day with a first time Aussie 1,2 +3 on the podium, the Bailey's now had a very tough day ahead to regain the lead and a World title.

'With rain pouring down from the early hours of the morning there seemed little likelihood of any racing on the final day. However, at about midday the clouds cleared and with 15 knots of breeze the fleet was launched.

'The Bailey's needed to regain seven points over two races and started strongly, appearing to claim back four with a lower placed Argentinean crossing the line first in heat 11, with fellow Australians Ian Lee and Alex Britzka, sailing Snakebite, claiming second, while Alec and Sam Bailey sailing Red Baron crossing the line in third place.

'However, the mood suddenly changed when three Australian boats were advised they had been black flagged (scrubbed) including the Bailey's, and thereby destroying any hope the Bailey's had of claiming the title.

'Some satisfaction was claimed as the Bailey's then went on to win the final race of the regatta but the title was lost to the Argentineans.

'The Bailey's salvaged third place overall and Alec was also awarded the prize for best helm under 16 years of age,' Barker added.

Of the other Australians, Ian Lee and Alex Brzoska placed ninth overall, also winning a heat of the regatta, Cara Swan and Caitlan Moody (RGYC) finished 25th, Eleanor Ransley and Laura Barker (SBSC) placed 30th and Sarah Lawson and Natasha Atchison from Balmoral Sailing Club, NSW finished 32nd overall.

Full results at http://www.cadet2009.yca.org.ar/