Australia team at the Flying Dutchman worlds, Florida, USA
by Richard Scarr 21 Apr 2006 08:16 BST
Three Australian crews compete in the Flying Dutchman 2006 worlds © Char Doyle
Australian Flying Dutchman sailors finish strongly despite breakages
Three Australian crews competed in the Flying Dutchman World Championship hosted recently by the St Petersburg Yacht Club Florida, USA.
Best placed was class stalwart Ian ‘Fred’ McCrossin. Fred won the last worlds in St Pete in 1997 with his regular crew James Cook. Despite sailing with an unfamiliar crew and some gear failure, he still managed a creditable 5th in 2006.
Equipment failure also hobbled the other Australian crews. Rigging and rudder failures saw Norman Rydge and Richard Scarr unable to finish three of the nine races. A two discard format dropped them from a probable podium finish to 9th.
The promising father and son crew Alister and Andrew McCowan lost two races in their first world championship with a broken shroud turning block, but consistent sailing in the remaining heats put them 18th, netting Alistar a trophy for the best performing helmsman under 26 years.
Breakages aside, the regatta was a success in every way. Sunny weather with light breezes early in the series yielded to sunny weather and fresh breezes later on. Race management and shore facilities were excellent.
Although Europeans took the first three places, the speed of the Australians was always competitive and sometimes better. However, series winners Majtheyi/Domokos from Hungary were dominant overall and finished with a perfect score of seven firsts.
They set the standard for the Australian boats that are now being shipped to Austria for the European Championship this July.
Overall Results:
1. HUN 70, Szabolcs Majthenyi & Andras Domokos, 7pts
2. GER 87, Hans-Peter Schwarz & Roland Kirst, 18pts
3. ITA 10, Roberto Cipriani & Stephano Morelli, 28pts
5. AUS 33, Ian McCrossin & Adrian Schmal, 37pts
9. AUS 37, Norman Rydge & Richard Scarr, 52pts
18. AUS 001, Alister & Andrew McCowan, 110pts