Rumour has it that Julian has been pushed to add more sail to the Women’s 29erXX after the light winds in the Hyeres High Performance Trial event.
It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with…. but why not just send all the boats to Garda (or San Fran) and see how they fare.
Argentineans Matías Gainza Eurnekian & Federico Villambrosa have stretched away to an almost unbeatable lead going into the last day of the 29er Worlds. Not bad for a big skipper.
Pepe is in 2nd, but a good 25 points back after a bad 2nd day.
Bad luck Pepe, you’re not going to get any respect for coming 2nd mate. 
So much for my picks. The Welsh are well back in 12th. The Aussies are in 14th. Argies fill the first 8 places.
Someone better make sure the Aussies win at home next year.
I’ve put together a reasonably accurate form guide for the last few 29er Worlds, but I’m a bit out of the loop this time around.
My picks?
If it’s predominately windy, ‘06 Euro Champions Huw & Max will be fastest.
If it’s all over the place, ever present Pepe & Swiss crew Matteu will be consistent. They’ve been training enough by the sounds of it.
With no 49er sailing at Sail Melbourne for me, I should’ve organised to get over there and have another go at it.
Maybe next time.
Rumour has it that the combined ‘08 29er/49er Worlds won’t be combined for much longer… with the 29ers being shifted from Sorrento – down the road to Blairgowrie.
Interesting…
Dave won yet another 29er Nationals yesterday… notching up now 3 Australian Champs to go along with the UK and US National Champs from a few years ago.
Not a bad effort. Well done to the fat bastards who sailed the regatta at 49er weight in a borrowed boat… probably having not stepped on board a 29er since the last Nationals.
Nathan Outteridge came 2nd again on his home lake… might be getting used to that after losing to Silja and I in 2004. Got to pump up those small victories while we can eh.
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It also sounds like Rohan is going to notch up Australian Championship #4 in the Moths on Lake Cootharaba. He’s taken the first 5 races in his new Bladerider – winning with better technique apparently. Subject to a complete meltdown, he’ll take it out. Chris Dey, Luka Damic and Mark Robinson are all close on points for 2nd, 3rd and 4th (not in that order).
Interesting…
I’ve been trying to dig up some backing info on this 9er World Decision… and after a bit of contemplation and a look at the bid documents for the Lake Macquarie proposal (and without seeing Melbourne’s)… I’m beginning to see why Melbourne was chosen.
The documents are the 49er Bid Covering Letter, a Memorandum of Understanding and a 49er Bid Doc.
Now while a lot of effort has undoubtedly gone into this bid, SailMelbourne would have absolutely destroyed in on the presentation front alone.
SailMelbourne also has a large number of race officials, fully experienced in running events like the ‘99 49er Worlds, i14 Worlds, 470 Worlds, 420 Worlds, Finn Gold Cup etc etc etc. Their full complement would trump the non-committal race committee approach of the LM bid.
They also have a fully-operational web site, with fast results. Something the LM bid didn’t have.
They also have the experienced and operation press office, priming the media with plenty of articles, results and photos before and during the event. Something LM didn’t have.
So on those fronts I think the committees have done the right thing in going for Melbourne.
If the conditions are right, Sorrento is going to be fantastic. It could be beautiful, warm and windy.
But if it blows a Northerly (ala Mccrae last year) it’s going to be ugly and the regatta could lose a day or two. If a Southerly front comes through they could lose another day or two (ala 29er Nationals in 2003). If none of that happens… the sailing should be great.
So I hope it’s a huge success. It’s a shame it is not in our own backyard, but such is life.
