X-Factor crew say farewell and thank you

by X-Factor Racing on 20 Jan 2004 After a long and arduous three years of campaigning, the X-Factor Racing Team of Melanie Dennison, Fiona Herbert and Caroline Aders have unfortunately brought their campaign to a close, after Nicky Bethwaite’s team managed to secure Olympic selection at the Yngling World Championships held in Sydney in early January.

2003 has been a difficult year in some regards, with a bit of an unlucky streak including shipping delays, car accidents and a general lack of breeze throughout the European circuit, however, all these things aside, Nicky and team did a fantastic job to outsail us in the last two Nomination events, and we wish them all the best for the coming months as they prepare for Athens.

While the selection year has been pretty tough, we pride ourselves on all we have achieved, still showing this year against the international fleet (unfortunately just not in the nomination regattas!), that we would have been in the running for the chocolates had we managed to secure the spot for Athens.

Highlights from 2003 include a third at the Hyeres Regatta in France, a second at Scandinavian Race Week, and a third placing at the pre-worlds in Warnemunde.

The years preceding 2003 weren’t half bad either, our accomplishments including consistently placing in the top ten at international regattas, holding the ISAF World Number One ranking in the Yngling class for several months, and winning Gold at the 2002 pre-Olympic regatta in Athens.

After all this success, giving up the dream over the last week has been very, very hard. Those who have gone through similar experiences know just how much work is involved in trying to get to the Olympics, and how hard it is to not make it!

However, at the same time, none of us would give up the last thee years and all we have learnt and experienced. Sailing, travelling and living in a confined space with thee different female personalities is a challenge, and in a way involves just as much skill in the areas of team work and people management as in sailing.

It would not have been possible to succeed had we not forged a remarkable friendship between the three of us, a friendship that will continue for life. We have had a ball sailing around the world and at home, and no-one can destroy those valuable memories.

The fourth member of the team has been our fantastic coach, Dayne Sharp, who has been there through thick and thin (or ‘theck and then’ as he would say in his quasi kiwi accent), shared the intricacies of the Yngling with us, taught us how to win and lose with humour and style, and been dear friend to us all.

Dayne has never held back with advice or criticism (always constructive!), and while we have occasionally rolled our eyes at him and just been difficult women, we have always respected his opinion, and been grateful for his brilliant coaching.

We couldn’t have managed through the last years without the support of Yachting Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Institute of Sport, NSWIS and the VIS. Thank you to Sue Thompson, Katie Culbert and Renee Cassell for all the administrative support.

Our thanks also, to Vicki De Prazer, our psychologist and style guru, who has helped us through the good and the bad times, and always done it looking fabulous.

Thanks also to Donna White, physio extraordinaire, who has brought us through some minor injuries and kept our bodies in good nick and good humour. Being part of the Australian Sailing Team has also meant being part of a fantastic larger group of athletes and coaches, and our thanks also to all those who we have shared the last years with.

Thank you to Schenker Logistics and P&O Nedlloyd for assistance with the shipping and getting the boat overseas in one piece. Ronstan have always been terrific supporters of Australian sailing, and we thank them for all the equipment and clothing they have provided for us and for little X-Factor the Yngling.

Also thanks to Bruce Hollis at Ullman Sails, who worked tirelessly on getting us going faster and higher. You have been a fantastic help, and it has always been a pleasure working with you. Pioneer has been a sponsor of our team since the early days, and we thank them for their ongoing support. Also thanks to Sturrocks at Rushcutters Bay for some miscellaneous items along the way (every little thing has helped).

We have had the privilege of sailing from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron throughout our campaign, whose facilities for Yngling sailing are superb, and whose support for us has been marvellous and much appreciated. The Australian Yngling Association have also been tremendous and we appreciate all the organisation that has gone into Yngling sailing over the past years.

On a more personal note, a special thanks to all our partners, family and friends, who have provided financial and emotional support through the whole campaign and who will go on ensuring that all the trophies and medals are kept well dusted and on prominent display.

A new chapter begins now, as we all embark on new adventures in our lives.

Sailing is put to one side now for each of us… Maybe not forever, but certainly until some more wound licking has been done. As a group, we are considering publishing a book on sporting clichés, having heard every single one of them over the past few days. Alternatively, having heard the singing that took place on board, I am seriously recommending that we all audition for Australian Idol 2.

But seriously…Melanie is starting back at work amongst friends at KPMG, who have been amazing in employing her throughout the period of the campaign. Her MBA under one arm, she is determined to have a real crack at fulltime employment.

Fiona too, is looking at a new stage in her career, possibly in a new direction, while continuing her university studies in Business. There have been rumours that she may appear in another class at a club race near you… Caroline is back part-time at the Yachting Association of New South Wales, desperately trying to finish off her thesis to complete a Masters in Journalism, and is looking to move to the UK in the near-ish future (a sneaky ploy to crew for Shirley perhaps?!).

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and condolences. Thanks for the support, and if anyone knows a nice group of girls looking to buy a Yngling and have the best four years of their lives, please contact us.

The boat, in mint condition, comes with road trailer, 1 Proctor mast, 1 John mast, sails, tools and all other necessary equipment. Not to mention a wealth of knowledge and tips from the X-Factor Team, and a spinnaker bag full of good memories.

Thank you and Farewell,

Mel, Fi and Caro, The X-Factor Team.