McConaghy wins 3rd consecutive World 11m title

by Steve McConaghy/Sail-World on 22 Jul 2006 Congratulations to Steve McConaghy and his team who have successfully defended their 11 metre World Title, with one race and a day to spare! In doing so McConaghy has also won his third consecutive 11 metre World Title.

A short time ago a very happy Steve McConaghy reported on the day's events:

The team: Steve McConaghy, Michael Spies, Doug McGain and Nick Johnston.
Sponsors: Scandinavian Airlines, Ian Short Sails.


'Race 7: Wind very light again to start the day. The race committee postponed it for two hours. The breeze was shifting through 100 degrees and we finally got away in a sick five knot southerly. We reached the top mark in second and gybed early and rolled over the leader. The breeze then shut down and ten minutes later a seven knot Northerly filled in. We were in an excellent position to take full advantage of it and we were launched. Five minutes later they abandoned the race. We were not happy but knew it was the fairest thing to do.

We restarted in the shifty northerly breeze at five-seven knots. After a general recall the black flag was out again. We started OK with a very thin lane to work with. We came into the top mark with a pack of boats in about fifth position. One of the boats that was black flagged then got us into a luffing dual which took us nearly to the North pole. Several boats jybed early and the breeze shifted right and they laid the bottom mark! We came reaching in, in about eighth place. Some nervous moments up the next beat with several boats slamming us poor Aussies! We had a reasonable run and gained a couple to finish fifth just ahead of a pack of boats. Three boats were black flagged for being over the start line early, including the race winner Dag Usterad.

Race 8: The breeze still a fickle shifting six - seven knots. With black flag displayed again! We won the start hitting the pin full pace one second after the gun. We tacked just short of the layline to the top mark and crossed the fleet. The wind shifted right just before the top mark and two boats crossed us. The downwind runs were frustrating with lots of holes in the wind. We struggled to break free from the pack and fought hard for a fourth in a very close race.

This was enough to secure the world championship for our third year running, with one race and a day to spare.

The crew are over the moon, yet exhausted after such a long frustrating day.
Doug and Nick's 1st world championship win, I can't thank them enough for their efforts and Spiesy was solid all week with boat preparation and helping me with the tactics.

Thanks to everyone from home that sent their good luck emails.'

Full Results: http://kapsejlads.kdy.dk/regattaMain.php4?id=9&