Sam Kivell and Max Taylor - from 420 to 470 class

by Jodi Kelly on 28 Jan 2008
It’s been a baptism of fire for Aussie young guns Sam Kivell and Max Taylor since they made the transition from 420s to the 470 Men’s open class.

For the pair of Mordialloc Sailing Club 18-year-olds, it has been an exciting yet sometimes daunting change of classes following a number of successful results in the 420s.

The talented combination shifted into the 470 class just eight months ago with their sights firmly set on a gold fleet finish at their first 470 world title campaign.

Unfortunately they missed out by just five positions and seven points at their home club, Mordialloc, and as a result will now regroup.

Kivell and Taylor had decided if they made the gold fleet this week, that would be the catalyst for them to head to Europe for more international 470 racing experience – they have now put those plans temporarily on hold.

However the Sail Melbourne event is just their fourth regatta in their new class – they debuted their new boat twice in Sydney at the start of the month.

Then for just the third time last week at the Asia Pacific Regatta at Sandringham Yacht Club where they finished a creditable 49th in their first big 470 international fleet.

While only young, the pair may lack 470 experience but is no stranger to international competition having lost the Youth 420 world title in 2006 on a countback and finished what they consider to be an unlucky sixth at the 420 Open world titles last year in New Zealand.

But it is at Mordialloc this week that they are really having their full initiation into a whole new level of sailing.

Kivell and Taylor, both full time university students as of this year, admit they have been a little surprised by exactly what transpires out on the water.

Having cut their teeth in Sydney where they managed to mix it with the big boys in smaller 470 fleets, they earlier this week managed to exceed their own expectation and apparently those of others around them.

The youngsters managed a fifth and sixth in Races 2 and 3 of qualifying and admit they even surprised themselves.

Previously unbeknown to the teenagers, there appears to be a certain hierarchy among the sailing fraternity out on the water and both admit they have been told on more than one occasion, as they sailed by their more fancied counterparts, where they belong.

“There is a fair bit said out there on the water and not much I would want written in the press,” Kivell said with a slight grin.

“We have just tried to ignore anything being yelled at us,” he added.

The boys may leave this regatta disappointed they didn’t make the gold fleet, however they have left no doubt they have nothing but a bright future ahead of them in their new Olympic class.