International Contender World Champion 'King' Arthur Brett wins second World title

by Di Pearson on 22 Jan 2002 They're a tight-knit, fun bunch, the Contender sailors, and 65 of the world's best congregated at Black Rock Yacht Club in Melbourne for the Contender World Championships at the Sail Melbourne Regatta on Port Phillip Bay.

The entries for the seven race series with one drop comprised 40 Australian and 25 internationals -. Great Britain 10, Germany 7 Italy 2, Denmark 1, Netherlands 2, Austria 2, USA 1. The pre-race favourites included former three-time world champion Andrea Bonezzi (ITA), current World, National and State champion Arthur Brett (ITA), four-time National champion Jan Von Der Bank (GER), Tim Holden (GBR) and Soren Andressen (DEN). Their ages varied from early twenties up to the 61 year old Gil Woolley (USA).

Two other Aussies, Steven Grimes and Stephen Fries were also expected to give the title a run for its money, but throughout the regatta, most had their eyes on the Bonezzi versus Brett match, an event within the event. Both incredibly skilled sailors, one a former World Champion, the latter currently holding the World crown in one hand, and the National title, just a few days old in the other. He is also the current State champion.

Organised by Yachting Victoria and hosted by Black Rock Yacht Club, racing got underway on the offshore course on Tuesday January 15, with 15 knots of wind, varying from sou-sou-west to sou-west, and close to one metre waves on a murky Melbourne day. By the afternoon's race, the wind had increased 15-18 knots. The lead changed a few times early in the race, but the two top players didn't disappoint, Brett went 1-2, Bonezzi 2-1.

Quietly going about his business was the unassuming Tim Holden (GBR), finishing 3rd in both races and Phillip Dubbin (AUS), one of three Dubbin's on the course, in 4th place. Racing was exciting, the competitors were close and the Contenders quite unstable - a boat, a man and his trapeze, there were many capsizes that day.

Day two dawned, with plenty in store for the sailors. In the first race, the wind was a consistent 12 knot southerly sea-breeze, building to 18 knots during the race. Huge waves on the course made for a lot of nosedives and wild planing. Generally, the right hand side of the course was the way to go. Bonezzi showed superior boat speed and control to comfortably take pole from Holden, sailing steadily upwind, and Brett. Jan Von Der Bank (GER) displayed great downwind speed to finish 4th.

By the second race that day, the wind was 18 knots, with a building sea-breeze, and again lots of waves. Holden (UK) led to the first mark, but Bonezzi and Brett overtook him on the reaching leg. The right side of the course was favoured, and as the winds built, it was Bonezzi leading to the top mark when his boom vang broke, allowing Brett to slide through whilst the Italian effected repairs.

With the wind picking up to 25-28 knots, conditions deteriorated with a two and a half metre swell. There was carnage on the course, boats holed, capsized, a number of competitors had to be towed ashore. In the heavier airs, Holden excelled, and local man Dubbin challenged Brett for the lead, but despite this, Brett crossed the line first. Bonezzi finished 10th. This was the day that Dr Chris Mitchell (UK) sunk his chartered boat and had to rely on another competitor to bring him ashore. His shrouds, with part of the deck, parted company with the rest of the boat, forcing him to come ashore with another competitor, winning them the double-handed award. Damien 'The Pounder' Pound (AUS) holed his boat, and spent all night repairing it.

After four races, Brett was out in front, with quiet achiever Tim Holden in 2nd and Bonezzi 3rd. With a further three races to be sailed, and a race to be dropped, the series is looking very interesting.

Only one race was on the Agenda for Thursday, and the battle proper was on between Brett and Bonezzi - circling each other in pre-start manoeuvres worthy of an America's Cup start, in around 15 knots of wind. After a general recall, the Contenders got away to a clean start, and while the right hand side of the course seemed favoured early, the wind set in from the right, so those on the left made the best of it.

In the main event, the battle got furious, Brett capsized, Bonezzi, again showed superior boat speed on the runs, taking the race, Brett was second . The heat was on - Brett handing in a protest against Bonezzi, the Italian retaliating with one of his own. They were both dismissed. Meanwhile, the man trying to keep them honest, 'Hold-It' Holden, had broken his trapeze wire, but managed to effect repairs to finish 8th. On reflection, looking at the final point-score, his efforts in fixing the wire probably cost him the World Championship.

Competitors dropped their worst race after the fifth race, leaving Bonezzi one point clear of Brett. Holden held 3rd place, five points behind the Italian. The next-best placed was Dubbin (AUS), followed by Jan Von Der Bank (GER).

With only two races to be sailed, one had to be realistic and say it would be one of the three top placed boats - but would it be Italy, Great Britain or Australia?

Nerves were aplenty on the start line for Friday's Race 6. Starting in 14-16 knots, two of the British team, Simon Mussel and Richard Batten, over-eagerly crossed early for an OCS each. 'Hold It' Holden had what his team-mates described as 'a careless capsize' at the first windward mark, but recovered (dignity and places). The GBR team had earlier helped Chris 'Sinkem' Mitchell to re-assemble his refloated, rebuilt charter boat, so he too, was able to race.

In the meantime, Bonezzi and Brett fought it out again in a race of their own - the Italian coming out the victor, the Aussie 2nd. In the minor placings, Holden eventually got the better of Grant Robinson (AUS) to finish 3rd, Robinson 4th.

Final race day came; spectators and competitors alike were holding their breath in anticipation of the outcome. Three in the box seat - one Aussie - Arthur Brett, two Europeans, Italy's Andrea Bonezzi and Great Britain's Tim Holden.

Holden fleet sailed to try to take the series, Brett engaged Bonezzi, taking a dig out to the right side of the course - the rest of the fleet went left. The move left them last and second last respectively, but they picked their way through the fleet to finish mid-field, Bonezzi in 36th place, Brett 39th, enough to give Brett the World Championship. Tactics, sheer will, determination, a lot of practice and a great coach did the trick. Tim Holden did a fabulous job finishing the race in 2nd place to be 2nd overall in the series, Bonezzi had to be content with 3rd.

It was an emotional Arthur Brett who crossed the finish line to win his second World title in succession. Speaking from the line he said 'this is even better than the first one,' before capsizing, so excited he was at winning. On righting the boat, a tearful Brett said he had lost his Dad, Ray, in October, so was unable to enjoy his first World Championship. 'This is for my Dad', he was with me on the boat today,' he said as the tears streamed down his face.

How did the 40 year old from Melbourne feel going into today's race, what tactics did he employ, knowing he was trailing former three-time world champion, Italy's Andrea Bonezzi by three places after one discard? Brett said 'I was really down in the dumps, I didn't think I could do it, so I spoke to Lex Bertrand (his coach) last night, and he told me I could do it. He told me just to sail clean, to keep Andrea covered, so that's what I did.'

Later at the prize-giving Brett dedicated the win to his Dad, Mum and coach, Lex Bertrand. He said Lex had coached him since he was a young boy and the two had a very special relationship. He also paid tribute to Tim Holden and Andrea Bonezzi 'Andrea is one of my best friends, and I have a great deal of respect for him' he said.

Arthur Brett