Getting serious
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS 22 Sep 2019 15:00 PDT
NYYC American Magic completes a foiling gybe during an early sail in light winds © NYYC American Magic
As American Magic get their initial AC75 up and foiling first over the Defenders, a vessel known as K8 sat in the pond at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. We have written a bit about this craft from Western Australia's Greg and Patrick Johnston here, also here, and finally here too, as well as also reviewing how their company, Advanced Wing Systems (AWS), has been involved in the development of the systems used on board this most interesting looking of cutting edge craft - the AC75.
K8, which carries AWS' Semi-Rigid Wing system of double luff and rotating mast is going to do a lot of racing around the Sydney Harbour, and then also appear at regattas like Sail Port Stephens, which have specific classes like the Super 12s. You may also see K8 at the Australian Sportboat title on Lake Macquarie, and also Super 30s on Sydney Harbour.
The International Moth version is also going to get another airing, and it is likely that very quickly, versions two and three of it will appear as well. In time, the concepts already developed for the 18-foot skiff will also be seen, perhaps before the Summer is done.
Best of all you can have a blast on board K8 if you want to see how it all goes. See Advanced Wing Systems or go to Hyperform Yachting and ask really nicely. You just never know your luck in a big city after all...
Short Takes
SailGP
Well D-Day was always going to arrive, and you can bet that there will be some new enhancements to the 2020 version that kicks of in Sydney next February. Certainly the fans have loved it and so too the sailors. I am sure the team will also work even more on the delivery of coverage, which has continued to receive mixed reviews throughout this first outing. Still, points are to be awarded for firstly making it happen, and then making it so transfixing. Nice one.
NYYC Invitational
Well done to Guido and Michelle Belgiorno-Nettis' crew from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron whose win on the last day of the regatta makes them the first Southern Hemisphere club to claim the prestigious NYYC Invitational Cup. On board were Marlena Berzins, Nicholas Cleary, Christopher Cook, Michael Dunstan, David Edwards, Tom King, Greg O'Shea, and Ivan Wheen.
Many thanks to the Sydney Morning Herald for their continuing support of sailing. It was also delightful to have former NYYC Commodore, Phil Lotz, deliver this comment after their tremendous efforts. "The success of the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup and the IC37 class are sources of tremendous pride for the membership of the Club. Corinthian competition is one of the cornerstones of this Club, and this event celebrates that ideal like no other in the world. We look forward to an event that will continue to grow in stature and bring together passionate yachtsmen and women from around the world for a week of intense competition and genuine camaraderie."
Olympics
The first of the Australian Sailing Team for Tokyo 2020 have been announced and the Dynamic Duo of Mat Belcher and Will Ryan will once again represent us in the Men's 470. Of late they have been so, so good, and the definitive class act. Well done lads! You two and Victor are just so polished that it nearly defies description.
The second class announced was the Laser, and it will be Matt Wearn who will don the Green and Gold. Clearly a class in which Australia has been very competitive for many a decade now, we need not bring any more pressure onto any of our sailors, and the other item to note is that the Laser gets at least one more outing, with Paris 2024 being confirmed recently.
Matt Wearn spoke of his selection, "It is an absolute honour and something I have wanted to do since I was a child. We now have almost 12 months to explore some ideas and use the Australian summer to test where we want to focus our energies. Taking the pressure of selection off affords me the opportunity to put all the energy into my sailing."
So well done to these three sailors, and if you want to learn all about the way nominations and selections are made, then please see our article on that.
Across the Pacific things have not been so smooth. Greg Fisher left as COO of Olympic Sailing in the USA, and then hot on his heels (three days later) was our own Olympic dual Gold Medallist in the 470, the CEO Malcolm Page. Whilst the former was listed as a resignation, it seems that the latter was far more of a spearing.
This comes from reading between the lines in Associated Press, where Page stated, "I came in with a strong vision, and obviously I'm disappointed that I will not be around to see it through. I think there have been some strong developments in this quadrennial, and I guess I was excited for the athletes. The potential in this place is huge, I've always seen that. All the pieces of the puzzle are here." Evidently others did not.
Right oh - here today there are some gems for you to review like the AC, Flinders Islet, The Clipper, The Ocean Race, SailGP, IMOCAs, Laser Masters, Springsail at Royal Geelong, the latest Marine Auctions event, the next Golden Globe Race, Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Spindrfit, Mirabaud Video, and certainly there is much, much more.
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John Curnow
Editor, Sail-World AUS