Kindergarten's journey to Sydney Farr 40 Worlds has begun

by Tracey Johnstone on 28 Aug 2015 A considerable amount of thought and planning has already gone into Buderim sailor Rod Jones’ Audi Sunshine Coast Kindergarten 2016 Farr 40 World Championship.

The campaign starts tomorrow with a meeting in Sydney of the possible team members.

“The basis is the team going forward from last year,” Jones said. However, some of the previous crew will not be available for some or all of the key training and regatta components of the campaign. This has opened the door for some new talent to try out. “We have a few peripheral positions we have to fill so we are looking at various options in those positions.”

The selection of crew is driven by several factors. To start, the role of each team member on a Farr 40 boat is very specific. “We look at each role, case by case.” There is also a limitation on the total crew weight of 760kg. Added to that is the class rule of no more than four International Sailing Federation class 3, or professional, sailors on each boat. “We have to consider all of this in the context of whose available and the roles we are looking for.”

In the bow position, Kara Kara Kilgariff from Adelaide will be trying out. “Mick Slinn has been on the bow for the last season, but due to work pressures can’t guarantee his availability. He will help us out on a reserve basis, but we do need a full-time bow person.”

Queensland’s Klade Hauschildt will be go out with the team this weekend. “We will look at him and how he moves about the boat. He is a very good sailor, but he is very small. There are a limited number of positions we can fit him in as we are a fairly light crew.”

Mooloolaba’s Mitch Kennedy will join the team in a mast position and then cross-train in pit position as his Olympic campaign starts to wind down. He will still compete in some major Laser class international events, but Jones plans for Kennedy to be available for most of the campaign.

In the tactician’s role will be the very experienced Steve McConaghy. “He is a professional sailor and comes with a very high pedigree.” Bucky Smith returns to the team in a trimming role. “It will be excellent to have him there as an extra tactical head on the boat.”

Hamish Crossan from North Sails returns to the team in a pit and trim role. Match Racing champion Murray Jones will be in the strategist and trim roles. Sean O’Rourke remains in the mail trim role.

Alex Paton will return from the UK to take up a pit role along with Jan-Willem Jannink.

“There are maybe three positions which we are looking at filling or filling with people who can reserve for us.”

Mark Langford has taken on a consultant role with Jones’ Audi Sunshine Coast Kindergarten team. He already has a commitment with the US Plenty team. “We will be prevailing on Mark to give us an insight on what they are doing overseas. Occasionally he will be on board as a trim coach to bring us up to speed on what the Americans are currently doing. Things are moving a bit with technique (sail trim).”

Over the winter the boat has been through a major re-fit. “The deck has been repainted. The keel and rudder have been re-Durepox. There has also been a lot of upgrades done.”

Jones has already instigated a fitness program for all the team members, Jones included. The program is under the guidance of Andrew Verdon who has just returned from the Olympic test event in Rio and is working with the Australian Sailing Team. Jodie Marriott from Jetts in Coolum is responsible for delivering the program for the Sunshine Coast-based sailors.

“We want to put the final team as close together as early as we can so that we are not unstable like we were last year going into the major regattas,” Jones added.

Their first regatta is the Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s Farr 40 One Design Class Trophy in October in Sydney.