Bundock and Forbes Claim Victory at Tornado European Championships

by Darren Bundock/Simone Green on 16 Jun 2003 The Italians will no longer confuse Australia and Austria, after Darren Bundock (AIS/NSWIS) and John Forbes (AIS/NSWIS) made a distinct mark in Sardinia overnight.

The Australian reigning World Champions beat two Austrian crews, to take out the 5th Mats Nyberg Trophy, run in conjunction with the European Championships for those non-European competitors. Though the Australians beat all comers in the fleet, they cannot claim the title of European Champions, a right reserved for European competitors only.

In light south winds building up to 8-9 knots, Bundock and Forbes, with the master technical skills of AYF ‘super coach’ Mike Fletcher, conquered Sydney Olympic gold medallists Roman Hagara and Hans Steinacher of Austria, by a convincing margin of 24 points.

This was the third time Bundock and Forbes have been awarded the Matts Nyberg Trophy, previously wining in 1999 and 2001.

Hugh Styles and Adam May won Race 9, after beating Bundock/Forbes for the best position on the starting line. In turn Bundock/Forbes scored their worst start in the series and rounded the first mark in 30th position with their main rivals Hagara in 7th position. Bundock had to finish with in five positions of Hagara to take the title.

Through out the race Bundock/Forbes passed 20 boats to cross the finish overlapped with Hagara.

With Both teams content with Hagara/Seidl European Champions and Bundock/Forbes overall winners, the two teams celebrated and watched the rest of the fleet start Race 10.

Santiago Lange and Carlos Espinoza from Argentina won race 10 from the French team of Backes/Laurent.

The year just keeps getting better for AIS Team of the Year winners. Sailing in only their second European regatta together this season, Bundock and Forbes managed to secure the number one spot at the 2003 Tornado European Championship, one race before the finish.

This championship was the second Olympic Nomination regatta for the Tornado class. Finishing first again (first in Sail Melbourne in January), will hand them maximum nomination points.

The strong competition and difficult conditions of this regatta have been great preparation for the pair’s assault on the Pre-Olympic Regatta in Athens in August and the World’s in Cadiz, Spain in September.

Other Aussie competitors, Robbie Lovig (VIC) and Glen Douglas (VIC) will take a lot of learning and experience out of the 2003 European Championship. The chance to compete against the world’s best, is an opportunity most teenagers would dream of. The pair finished 57th overall, with improving results throughout the regatta.

Final results (5th Mats Nyberg Trophy):

1. Darren Bundock/John Forbes (AUS) 57pts
2. Andreas Hagara/Michael Seidl (AUT) 66pts
3. Roman Hagara/Hans Steinacher (AUT) 81pts
57. Robbie Lovig/Glen Douglas (AUS) 441pts