Mirror Worlds at Albany, Australia - Day 1
by Peter Robinson 3 Jan 2011 15:32 GMT
27 December 2010 - 7 January 2011
Day 1 of the worlds and it was blowing to 30 knots as the wind increased during the day, causing many retirements through broken masts, spars, etc and some loss of confidence.
No such fate befell the UK boat of Millie Newman and Jessica Rust. Resplendent in the ROL Cruise livery of the Brightlingsea Squad, Millie and Jessica defied the wind to take 3rd place overall (13 points) at the close of the day, achieving a 3rd, 2nd and 8th place in each of the 3 races. The latter result achieved with a broken spinnaker.
Also there with an amazing sail considering the conditions and lack of weight on the boat were the Lulham-Robinson boys, Matthew and Ben, holding 4th place (22 points) following a 10th, 6th and 6th.
Miles and Rory Odell in 7th made it 3 GBR boats in the top 10.
A really amazing day's sailing for these three boats, one that was publicly acknowledged by event director, Anthony Galante, at the close of day awards ceremony.
Day 1 saw the dominant Aussie National winner, Paul Taylor, leading (6 points) ahead of the Pilipino crew of Balladares & Chavez (7 points).
The next GBR boat was that of Ed & Matthew Grayson sitting a creditable 16th at the close of the day, 3 ahead of Nigel and Rob Thomas in 19th.
Further back in 24th were David Conlon and Charlotte Bond (having suffered a broken boom and retirement in race 3), Martin Egan / Ruth Smith in 34th, Emma and Rachel Grayson in 37th (sporting a taped up hole in the front port tank from a collision with an Aussie boat in race 2) and Craig Bond / Tom King in 48th (disqualified from race 3 – over the line at start).
Brightlingsea Rookie crews, Ollie & James King and Vicki Bond / Ben Eeles, are yet to score following a torrid day in very difficult conditions. However Ollie and James received special mention for persistence from the rescue crews, continuing to attempt a finish despite nose diving and semi submerging in race 3.
High winds, strong competition and tired hands make for an early evening for all.
More information on the event website.