Successful Aussie Olympic campaign

by Lauren Jeffries, Australian 470 team on 1 Jul 2005 We have come to the end of our European tour for 2005, so it is with a little sadness that we write this report, although we are happy to say that our trip has been a great success.

We have just completed our final regatta, Kieler Woche in Germany, and are generally pleased with our results in what were very challenging conditions.

Kiel week, renowned for rain, windy conditions and extremely cold weather, surprised us all by producing brilliant sunshine and very light winds for the last two weeks.

Training was cancelled the first day due to lack of wind. This allowed us to concentrate on more important things, like catching up on our tan in 30 degree temperatures before returning to an Australian winter!

Two days of training gave us a chance to work on our light air skills, which proved valuable, as the entire regatta was sailed in under 10 knots.

The first day was very intensive, with four races run, due to the deteriorating forecast. Mat (Belcher) and Nick (Behrens) had four very good results and found themselves in second place, despite having to sail in what was definitely the tougher of the two Men’s split fleets.

Argentineans finished in first place, with Americans and a few surprise teams not far behind.

Rike (Ziegelmayer) and I were pleased with a fourth and sixth, but had an OCS and other starting problems, which resulted in a 15th and 10th, pushing us back overall.

On Day 2, the teams were held ashore, with racing eventually cancelled at 4pm.

With regatta organisers keen for a fifth race to complete the qualifying series, we were sent to the racing area fairly early on Day 3.

After a long wait for the breeze direction to settle, one race was completed late in the day. The boys carrying on their good form to finish qualifying in second position, ready to race in Gold fleet.

We girls found the conditions challenging, having to fight our way back to 16th after a bad first windward leg. There was only one fleet for women - so therefore no qualifying. We were in 11th place going into day four.

The forecast was finally for stronger breezes on the final day, but an early storm resulted in racing being postponed, then a return to very light winds when racing got underway.

The Women’s fleet started first all day and we placed 10th, second and 13th. Having completed three races, we were sent ashore before the Men’s fleets had even started a third race, due to very light and shifty conditions.

Matthew and Nick did not have the best day, placing 17th, third and 14th.With a bit of bad luck, it was easy to find yourself back in these conditions, despite sailing smart.

The mixed results produced a few changes to the overall Men’s positions. Russia was now winning, after a fantastic day, USA sailing consistently well in their favourite conditions and the Coster brothers from the Netherlands made a late comeback, moving into third, with Mat and Nick relegated to fourth, but still in the hunt.

Racing was again postponed on the final day, with the scheduled two races looking in doubt. We finished on a good note, with a third, moving us up to seventh in the final standings, making up a lot of points after a bad start to the regatta.

The guys were unfortunately still out of luck, finishing 10th in the race and wondering what they had to do to get a break! Despite being a little disappointed, they finished in fourth, which was once again a consistently good result. USA finished first, NED second and RUS third.

So after a few days rest, it will be back to Oz and back to reality for us. Until then, we are catching up on the important things in life; shopping and the movie, Batman Begins - apparently we are a little bit more excited about seeing it than what 23 year-olds should be!

The last few months have provided us with invaluable experience and a very positive start to our 2008 Olympic Campaign.

Thank you everyone for your support during the last few months. It is always very tough racing and easy to get disheartened, but we really feel that we are on track with our goals.

Our next challenge is the World Championship in San Francisco in August. We feel that we are well prepared an can’t wait to get over there and kick some butt!!

Lauren, Rike, Mat and Nick