Blanck back on track; Ynglings on course at ISAF World Championship

by Simone Green, Yachting Australia on 15 Sep 2003 Reigning ISAF World Championship, Sarah Blanck (AIS/VIS), determined to get back on track, leapt 29 places to 28th after day three of competition.

Blanck, who encountered equipment failure on day two racing, added two 12th places to her tally, and with a reserve day scheduled on day four, these consistent results secure Blanck a place in the gold fleet.

‘Shifty conditions and a considerable tide influence made for difficult sailing,’ Europe class coach Craig Ferris reports.

‘I was happy with the performances by Sarah and Clare [Hozack]. Both showed good speed and a leap up the result ladder by Sarah was a pleasing result.

Unfortunately there was also some disappointment with Clare being shown two yellow flags in the first race causing her to retire’, Ferris added.

In a complete contrast to day two’s gustily weather, the Yngling fleets headed onto the course for their first day of racing in warm, relatively calm conditions. A fickle wind delayed racing until mid afternoon before the sea breeze eventually became consistent at 5-8 knots.

With three Australian crews competing in a superb fleet, the Yngling class are the second to begin racing at the Championship.

The YZ Racing crew of Nicky Bethwaite (NSWIS), Kristen Kosmala (NSWIS) and Katie Hage (NSWIS) started well in the 41 boat fleet. An 11th in race one and two, position the crew in the top ten.

‘I was satisfied with today's effort. It was a solid start and we look forward to improvement in the days ahead’, reports the YZ Racing skipper Nicky Bethwaite.

A great result in race one (6th) and a 20th in race two, see the X Factor Racing Team of Melanie Dennison (AIS/VIS), Caroline Aders (AIS/NSWIS) and Fiona Herbert (AIS/NSWIS), two points outside the top ten.

Veteran Sydney Yngling sailors, Pat and Joyce Warn, paternal twins who turn 71 this year, are also putting in a sterling performance to be placed 41st.

The human interest story of the day came from Star class sailors Colin Beashel (AIS/NSWIS) and David Giles (AIS/NSWIS), who had their day thwarted by a crane driver taking an ‘unscheduled’ lunch and siesta break.

Beashel and Giles were among a group of sailors who were left ‘gob smacked’, stranded and unable to launch their boats and participate in the trial race.

‘In all my days of sailing this has taken the cake. This was really something special!’ said a bewildered Giles.

Europe - Day three racing results

1. Siren Sundby (NOR) 10pts

2. Sarah Macky (NZL) 19pts

3. Lenka Smidova (CZE) 22pts

28. Sarah Blanck (AUS) 76pts

99. Clare Hozack (AUS) 208pts


Yngling – Day One racing results

1. Jody Swanson/Cory Sertl/Elizabeth Kratzig
(USA) 4pts

2. Dorte O Jensen/Helle Jesperson/Rachel Kiel (USA) 6pts

3. Ekaterina Skudinal/Diana Krutskikh/Tatinana Lartseva (RUS) 11pts

8. Nicky Bethwaite/Kristen Kosmala/Katie Hage (AUS) 22pts

11.Melanie Dennison/Caroline Aders/Fiona Herbert (AUS) 26pt

41. Patricia Warn/Margaret Morgan/Joyce Warn (AUS) 82pts


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