SuperFoiler - Recovery for Bruised tech2 Ahead of Explosive Tilt at Glory
by Nick Vindin 11 Mar 2018 17:18 PDT
23-25 March, 2018
tech2 racing in the Western Australian leg of the SuperFoiler Grand Prix, where they did so well © Andrea Francolini
World Champion Ayden Menzies believes his tech2 crew will savour the rest week to recover from their injury niggles before launching a final challenge for the SuperFoiler Grand Prix’s top prize – the Ben Lexcen Trophy – set to be awarded following the Expr3ss! Super Foiler Grand Final in Sydney. “It is the Grand Final so it is going to be explosive. Sydney is our home regatta. We are really looking forward to doing it in front of a few more family and friends,” said tech2’s mainsheet Ayden Menzies.
The tech2 SuperFoiler roared into championship contention after winning the Busselton Grand Prix and Menzies believes he is hitting his straps alongside skipper Luke Parkinson and bowman Sam Newton at just the right time. “It is our first season all together and we are still learning the little nuances that everyone has and trying to get around it and what to do our communication is improving dramatically and we are finding out how to improve and how we all like to sail.”
Sitting just two points behind championship front-runner Euroflex, tech2 believe they have what it takes to win the inaugural circuit in Sydney, and that they have to be conscious of all the teams in the water – given only nine points split first and last with 12 points on the line for the Sydney regatta win. ‘You just have to look around it is an absolute star-studded line up on every single SuperFoiler it is just astounding. Euroflex are phenomenal sailors as is CJ and the crew on ID Internet, plus Stevie on Pavement, the boys on Record Point and then you have got Olivia on Kleenmaid who is absolutely killing it so it is a tough gig,” said the four-time Australian Champion.
While tech2 missed the first regatta in Adelaide after suffering damage to their SuperFoiler they are the only team in the series looking to unsheathe an unchanged line-up in Sydney, but the toil of speedy racing in Geelong, Gold Coast and Busselton has taken a toll. “I’ve got a few bangs and bruises here and there. Physically the boats are very demanding, I am probably on the smaller side so I am trying to stay fit and rest the body, said Menzies, “It is going to let me reset, travelling and life on the road does get pretty demanding, I am really looking forward to some time to relax and just unwind.”
While the mainsheet hand of the surging tech2 is valuing the chance to recharge, Menzies can’t wait to launch the challenge in Sydney, with an eye on the Ben Lexcen Trophy. “I am absolutely loving it, the SuperFoiler is living up to its reputation, they are fun, fast and furious – we are really enjoying pushing the limits.”
The Expr3ss! SuperFoiler Grand Final - Sydney will reach its epic conclusion on Sydney Harbour across Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of March 2018.
Championship Standings following the Busselton Regatta - Euroflex (19), Tech2 (17), Pavement (16), Record Point (12), iD Intranet (11) and Kleenmaid (10).
About SuperFoiler
The SuperFoiler Grand Prix is contested over five weekends at five iconic marine locations across Australia (South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales) from February 2018.
The Summer series will see the best sailors from around the world compete onboard six SuperFoiler's for the Ben Lexcen Trophy. The Grand Prix series runs from February to March and will be livestreamed on Plus7 with immersive post produced coverage airing on 7mate.
Fan Zones and Corporate Hospitality experiences are also available for live viewing - here