Of Melbourne Dogs and Chains, Ashby signs for AC35, Hobart and more

by Rob Kothe & the Sail-World Team on 6 Dec 2013 The Sail-World Team spent much of yesterday writing from the Media Centre at the ISAF Sailing World Cup, overlooking a very wet boat park with driving rain and 35 knot gusts, there was an enforced lay day at this regatta. Hopefully today the sea state will have eased and the wind will have dropped enough to allow racing.

Been some interesting developments on the Olympic campaign scene. It’s interesting to watch the progress in the Australian squad, the highlight for me have been the rapid progress of 20 year old Finn sailor Jake Tilley, 200cm (6'7) and still growing, the Silver medallists debut as Darren Bundock and Nina Curtis have boarded their Nacra 17 'Raft to Rio', of course the continuing success of Belcher and Ryan.

Lots of images from Richard Gladwell and Jeff Crowe surfacing and some good stories already and lots more to come.
Interesting interviews at the ISAF Sailing World Cup dinner at Sandringham Yacht Club, on Tuesday night.

We are currently transcribing the Q&A sessions between John Bertrand Matt Belcher and Will Ryan and Tom Slingsby, Glenn Ashby, Nathan Outtertridge and Iain (Goobs) Jensen.

The jaw dropping moment in the evenings session was the casual announcement by Gashby that he was the first signing for the 35th America’s Cup by Team New Zealand.

Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI, will move one step closer to continuing preparations for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race tomorrow when the yacht’s new mast, which almost broke during sea- trials is re-stepped following major repairs.

Ahead of the Hobart, with the latest news that Sean Langman is sailing south with ..... watch this space.

The first part of two part series on Langman from John Curnow is published today. Another must read....

Entries for the Festival of Sail are flooding in 50,100,200 all in quick succession.

Lots more news, have a great weekend.