420 Worlds - Fremantle Doctor blows out practice race
by Bernie Kaaks 28 Dec 2017 06:32 GMT
28 December 2017
420 World Championships practice race blowout © Bernie Kaaks
Winds blowing at 25 knots with gusts of 30 or so forced the race committee to cancel today's scheduled practice race, the precursor to the 420 World Championships, hosted by the Fremantle Sailing Club.
Locals call the south westerly breeze the Fremantle Doctor because of its cooling effect during Perth's blazing hot summers, when temperatures regularly top 40 degrees.
PRO Kevin Wilson, before making the call to cancel today's race, asked the Spanish team coach whether they would consider racing in the conditions. The response left absolutely no doubt that the Spanish team at least, would not consider risking their equipment in such strong winds and high waves.
The Spanish team set the benchmark for this regatta by taking the first three places overall in the 420 Nationals, run on the same course prior to Christmas. The contingent is supremely fit and seemed to have excellent boat speed in a wide range of conditions. Best of the squad was Elaas Abetz Queck and Pablo Garcia Cranfield who completed the regatta with a nett 24 points, including two wins. Third overall was the female crew of Pilar and Maria Caba Hernandez, who led the points table early but struggled with the heavier conditions on the final day and had to carry a 12th place in their scoreline.
Two French crews filled fourth and fifth placings, followed by a New Zealand boat, before the first of the Australians, Chris Charlwood and Josh Dawson, who claimed the Australian title. They are well aware of the job ahead of them in the World regatta.
Many overseas crews did not arrive in time for the Nationals and so will head out on the course for the first race of the Worlds with no race experience on Fremantle waters, though it was notable that early this morning, crews from Argentina, Italy and Greece took the opportunity for a short training session outside the marina walls.
The weather forecast for the remainder of the regatta is far more promising, though with a cyclone forming on the north west coast of Western Australia, metropolitan weather is notoriously difficult to predict.
A boisterous and friendly welcome and opening ceremony
More than 300 sailors, plus support crews and coaching staff, filled Fremantle Sailing Club's Sunset Deck to overflowing. Large contingents from France, Spain and Italy were particularly enthusiastic, with New Zealand and Australian contingents not far behind.
A procession of eighteen participating nations began boisterously and became more so as sailors belted out their traditional battle cries and anthems.
Reaching the formal Sunset Deck stage, sailors had to be herded away from the stage to allow a group of indigenous dancers to perform traditional dances to the eerie sound of a very well played didgeridoo. A hilarious attempt by a number of invited competitors from different countries to emulate the dance troupe drew well natured laughter from their peers. Freda Ogilvie, representing the local Noongah people performed a traditional welcome to country, translating Noongah language to English.
Given the boisterous response to the procession, it might have been a frantic rush to the dining room, but a surprisingly orderly group made the transition from the Sunset Deck to the Wardroom for a sit down welcome dinner, where Olympic gold medallist Belinda Stowell-Brett, former world match racing champion Peter Gilmour and 470 champion Carrie Smith all addressed the sailors while they enjoyed a superb meal.
So what began as a disappointing day due to wild weather ended as a most enjoyable beginning to a World Championship with over the top enthusiasm, great camaraderie between nations and a wild celebration.
It augurs well for a thoroughly entertaining World Championship at Fremantle.