Mumm 30 Worlds at Miami Beach, Florida - Day 1
by Renee Mehl 29 Nov 2006 23:10 GMT
29 November - 2 December 2006
Irish team on Mammy! lead at Mumm 30 Worlds after three races on a perfect sailing day
The opening day of the Mumm 30 World Championship had picture perfect conditions. Sailors on 30 boats from nine countries were treated to Florida sunshine, good breeze and some great surfing waves. All races were four leg windward-leeward races, with 1.75 mile legs. The easterly wind ranged from 14-20 knots, starting out light in the morning and building during the day, with stronger puffs on the left, backing slightly early afternoon.
Everyone got out of the blocks without mishap for the first race of the day. Winds were lighter inshore at the start, building at the top mark out closer toward the Gulf Stream. Peter de Ridder’s trademark hot pink spinnaker on the Dutch entry Mean Machine was the first to pop around the top mark, followed closely by local Fort Lauderdale sailor Tom Lihan on his newly acquired boat, Sixx. The Italian team on Cheyenne was next, then Class President Nelson Stephenson on Team BOLD and the Australians on Foreign Affair. Mean Machine and Sixx rounded the gate together, with de Ridder going right and Lihan going left before consolidating up the left. They match raced the second half of the beat with Mean Machine in the lead clamping a tight cover on their competition. The Dutch team stretched their lead on the run for a convincing win.
The natives were restless on the second race and a string of bow numbers were called over in an individual recall. The breeze built to 16-18 knots and the surf was up – giving a great ride downwind for all and causing some carnage for others. Diarmuid Foley’s Mammy! from Ireland had a clean start and good direction from tactician Robert Greenhalgh to stay at the top of the fleet around the course and a dramatic win as they caught a wave and surfed past the French team on Twins at the finish line. Jonathon McDonagh’s Champosa were the first causality at the weather mark when a nearby boat rounded up into their leeward side, causing them to retire. Cheyenne had a similar experience at the second weather mark. Glory, chartered by John Buchan, was damaged after the finish of the race in a three boat broaching collision. Red protest flags were fluttering and the radio crackled with reports called in.
Wind velocity increased slightly more for the final race of the day. Helmsmen weren’t quite so anxious at the start and the “all clear” was given. Jim Richardson’s Barking Mad led around the course, with Deneen and John Demourkas’ Groovederci in close pursuit, shadowed by Twins and Mammy! The Irish demonstrated their surfing skills again with a repeat performance sliding past Barking Mad and Groovederci to get their second bullet of the day. They top the leader board for the first day of racing, followed by Twins with equal points. Diarmuid Foley attributed their success to, “conservative starts, good speed upwind and staying out of trouble”. His tactician Robert Greenhalgh added, “We were just trying to go as fast as we could, and got lucky in that last race”. Erik Maris on Twins summed up the day, “We love Miami. The sailing is fantastic and the conditions are perfect for this boat”.
See www.mumm30.org for full results. Mark roundings and individual race results are being updated from the water daily. Contact Renee Mehl 410 703 9560 for further information.
Thanks to sponsors Champagne Mumm, North Sails, Lewmar, APS, Slam, partners Avalon/Majestic Hotels, Monty’s Raw Bar, S & S Mobile Marina and Miami Beach Marina and suppliers Coral Reef Sailing Apparel.
More photos are available at waltercooperphoto.com/Mumm30.html
Results after Day 1: (protests pending)
1st Mammy!, Diarmuid Foley, 8, 1, 1, 10pts
2nd Twins, Erik Maris, 5, 2, 3, 10pts
3rd Sixx, Tom Lihan, 2, 4, 6, 12pts
4th Mean Machine, Peter de Ridder, 1, 3, 10, 14pts
5th Groovederci, Deneen Demourkas, 7, 8, 2, 17pts