Please select your home edition
Edition
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

Australians sweep to 49er lead

by Rob Kothe on 11 Aug 2008
Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin (AUS) today Sail-World.com /AUS http://www.sail-world.com
A disastrous first race DSQ for the 2008 49er World Champions, young Australian’s Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin was certainly not the Qingdao Olympic start than anyone had expected yesterday.

They had won six pre-event practice races with blistering speed but their first race starting strategy turned to custard as they were locked out of the front row, then they hit the top mark and on the next circuit,and then they had an incident with another boat.

15th across the line and DSQ. The second race yesterday they won and in the third race scored a seventh, hardly a dream start. The contrast today... a third placing, then two wins.

In Ben Austin’s words ‘Our aim was to stay out of trouble on the start line, we had really good boat speed and we were able to use it. If you get a clean lane going in right direct, life gets much easier. We just did not make any mistakes – we were both very happy with today.'

Nathan Outteridge explained what they set out to do. ‘On the start line we tried to avoid clumps of boats, to get clear in first 20 seconds; we have good speed in these conditions. We were prepared to make a slight compromise on starting position to make sure of that.

‘After that we just had a lot of fun. We had 11 knots for start of first race, blue water, blue skies, good visibility, today we saw islands, we’ve never seen before.’

Ben Austin summed up. ‘There is a long way to go in this regatta but today was a good confidence builder because it showed that our hard work over the last six months has really paid off. Today was a classic day that we’ve trained for, we had speed and good skills and we got three good results.

‘But there are ten races to go. We had a tough time yesterday, the Brits and a few others had some bad races today, but that might happen to us on the next day.

‘Right now we think just about any one in the top ten could come through.’
Boat Books Australia FOOTERVetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERBarton Marine Pipe Glands

Related Articles

West System Six10 Epoxy cartridges are back!
Pre-thickened, gap filling epoxy back after a disruption to supply for an extended time ATL Composites is very happy to announce that WEST SYSTEM Six10 Epoxy Cartridge Packs are now available again to the Australian and Asian markets.
Posted today at 8:34 am
New safety standards announced
For GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race 2025 After the release of the findings into the tragic events of the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2024 by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Southport Yacht Club has announced a safety revision to their Notice of Race for the GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race.
Posted today at 7:40 am
Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines.
Posted today at 5:59 am
Readying for SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week
All competitors will have equal amount of racing and fun Whether you are sailing the largest boats in the fleet, such as 60 footers Awen and Samurai, or the smallest, like Guilty Pleasures X and Peow Peow, at 6.50 metres each, all competitors will have equal amount of racing and fun.
Posted today at 5:04 am
OK Dinghy Europeans at Warnemünde day 2
Charlie Cumbley leads at the half-way stage Britain's Charlie Cumbley holds a two-point lead at the half-way stage of the 2025 OK Dinghy European Championship in Warnemünde, Germany, after two more races were held on Monday.
Posted today at 4:14 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors.
Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move.
Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Posted on 7 Jul