Australian 420 Youth Nationals – four Kiwi teams compete

by Angus Haslett on 19 Jan 2015 The four NZ 420 teams who competed in the Australian 420 Nationals in Fremantle over New Year started the second regatta of their tour on Thursday 7th January- the 2015 Australian Youth Champs.

Once again Fremantle Sailing Club (FSC) is playing host, however added to the event are the Lasers (4.7 and Radial), 29ers, Bic’s and Hobbie 16’s and on top of that the club has the Australian Optimist Nationals on at the same time - so over 400 boats leave the club each day. It shows just what a truly amazing club FSC is.

Below is a summary for the 420 regatta, 33 boats on the start line and a promise of more tough competition from the Australians – it was also to be one which saw a major change in the weather pattern from day 2 onwards giving the sailors another dimension and more valuable learning experiences.


Day 1:
The day started with a classic Fremantle Doctor sea breeze but the forecast was to build up to 30 knots and a warning given that racing may be abandoned if the breeze built too that. However racing started on time in 8 knots gusting 14. Haslett/Mitchell and Copeland/Stenhouse had a clear start and went left but the breeze swung to the right and Weston/Balogh and Mannering/Stoodley were well positioned to take advantage of the wind shift. After coming 23rd at the top mark, Mannering/Stoodley made great gains to finish 10th, Weston/Balogh 11th, Copeland/Stenhouse 20th, Haslett/Mitchell 21st. A taste of wind shifts to come.

Race 2: Haslett/Mitchell had a great start bang on the line with Mannering/Stoodley to leeward who were unfortunately UFD. Haslett/Mitchell second to the top mark broke away from the fleet in the top 4 with Mannering/Stoodley leading the chasing pack. Weston/Balogh and Copeland/Stenhouse didn't manage a great start but worked their way up through the fleet to finish 10th and 16th. Haslett/Mitchell had a good race finishing fourth.

After the second race concerned the breeze was building the race committee put up the AP over A flag and the boats headed back to the beach for an earlier than expected finish.

Day 2:
No Fremantle doctor today instead a shifty and gusty South Easterly with winds ranging from 8-20 knots with considerably flatter water. 3 races were scheduled and completed.

Race 3: The first race of the day started with a massive right hand shift. Haslett/Mitchell had a clear gap off the start line to tack and get to the shift and the pressure. Unfortunately the other kiwi crews were unable to tack away off the start and head to the favoured side. Coming in on the lay line to the top mark in third, Haslett/Mitchell were unlucky to have their forestay snap and had to retire. The rest of the kiwis were able to make some gains through the fleet with Copeland/Stenhouse finishing 14th, Mannering/Stoodley 19th, Weston/Balogh 24th.

Race 4: Haslett/Mitchell managed to make the start after the help of our Aussie friends who provided a new forestay and after a great start were leading the fleet up the first beat and rounded the top mark in a bunch with the top 4. Copeland/Stenhouse also had a great start and first beat and were not far behind sitting in the top 10 around the first mark. Struggling with the shifts Mannering/Stoodley and Weston/Balogh were sitting mid fleet for the rest of the race.

Up the second beat the top 4 split away to the right hand side of the course chasing a pressure line which dissipated and the breeze swung hard left leaving them with no breeze. Mannering/Stoodley who were working hard in the middle found themselves on the right side of the shift and took advantage to get a well-deserved fifth and their best result so far in the regattas. Haslett/Mitchell followed with a steady 10th, Mannering/Stoodley 20th, Weston/Balogh 23rd.

Race 5: With a shifty breeze of 11-12 knots increasing to 18-19, three of the kiwi crews were in the top 10 around the top mark with Weston/Balogh right up with the leaders. The second beat was shifty and gusts causing crews to capsize. Weston/Balogh worked the shifts up the middle and had a solid beat to stay with the leading pack and finish a hard earned fifth. Just behind Mannering/Stoodley and Haslett/Mitchell struggled with the shifts and slipped back, but after a good downwind Haslett/Mitchell managed to take back most of their losses. Copeland/Stenhouse also managed to have a good second beat and made some good gains to cap off their best day yet.

There was a good day to be had for those that read and found the shifts and kept things consistent - so good for the Kiwis to be tested in the big fleet in these challenging conditions.

Day 3:
Another three races scheduled for today and the South Easterly prevailed under clear blue skies. The day was very similar to Day 2 with oscillating breezes 6-18 knots, 105-145 wind direction. Consistency was a clear message to the sailors if they were to improve on yesterday’s results and the all crucial good clean starts and then keeping in contact with the shifts wherever possible in a competitive fleet were to be key.

Race 6: With the clear message - get a good start- that was exactly what Haslett/Mitchell managed and looked in control for the race to take out a handy fourth. Mannering/Stoodley took on the challenging conditions and put together an 11th.

Races 7 and 8: Nothing new in the breeze shifty and gusty, nothing new in the mix of sailing skills needed. Haslett/Mitchell put their best result to date with a tactful and hard earned second in race 7 and a tidy eighth to cap a solid day. Weston/Balogh made the most of every opportunity and steadily improved their day to take a 15th then 14th. Copeland/Stenhouse etched out an 11th then 18th whilst Mannering/Stoodley slipped to a 14th then 22nd.. So a solid day for Haslett/Mitchell with mixed results for the other crews but still plenty to sail for on the last day tomorrow.

Day 4:
The day dawned with stunning clear blue skies but no respite from the easterly winds; the Doctor was not going to return for this regatta. Two races scheduled and a bit to play for with some close points. The kiwis by now knew what the conditions were likely to be and the past three weeks of racing meant tactics and boat speed were well understood.
Race 9: Always expect the unexpected – Weston/Balogh had the very unfortunate happen with a rudder stock breaking just before the start – a race back to the beach meant they got a replacement but not in time for the race. The three remaining kiwi teams knew what they had to do - boat speed and clear thinking/tactical sailing and ensure a great start.

That’s pretty much what they did with all three showing the benefit of time in the water Haslett/Mitchell propelled themselves into the top 10 with a very competitive third, Copeland/Stenhouse another well-earned fifth and Mannering/Stoodley a 10th

Race 10: And so to the last race, again a good start by Haslett/Mitchell and a well-deserved fourth, well in with the leaders, Weston/Balogh last race were back in the running with a replacement part and got away well and held a mid-fleet position. The girls did not fare so well, each taking a drop in their last race, but not without throwing everything at it. Copeland/Stenhouse just mistimed a spinnaker drop leading to a capsize on a mark taking them out of contention for a finish. Overall though a good improvement for them.

All kiwi crews have taken a huge amount out of the two regattas and the wonderful sailing conditions they have had the chance to compete in. Thanks to their sponsors in particular Mr Apple and North Sails.

Final Results
Henry Haslett/Jeremy Mitchell sixth (21,4,DNF,10,12,4,2,8,3,4)
Xanthe Copeland/Emma Stenhouse: 14th (20,16,14,5,15,16,11,18,5)
Jono Weston/Taylor Balogh: 17th (11,10,24,23,5,21,15,14,DNC,19)
Ava Mannering/Lola Stoodley: 18th (10,UFD,19,20,16,11,14,22,10,29)