2007 Mirror Worlds at Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Preview

John & Jamie Clementson practicing before the Mirror worlds in South Africa © www.ukmirrorsailing.com

The 2007 Mirror World Championships will be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. This biannual event alternates between the Southern and Northern hemispheres, and sees Mirrors from all corners of the globe battle it out to find the World Champion.

The 2007 event is particularly significant as it is the first international event where the new (optional) Bermuda rig is race legal, many of the top sailors have converted, although others are sticking with the traditional gaff. So far there has been little noticeable performance differential between the two rigs, with both types winning championships.

Such is the depth and popularity of Mirror sailing, Team GBR will be sending a massive thirty boats who were selected from around the 100 boats who competed in the qualifiers in the early part of 2006.

It has been ten years since GBR has won the Mirror World Championships, this time the team has put considerable effort into its preparation, including training in big waves hopefully simulating the conditions Port Elizabeth is famous for. The Team will be taking three of the best Mirror coaches, including Peter Aitken and Matt McGovern who will be supporting the RYA junior team, whilst Steve Long will be helping the youth and adult members.

The GBR Team represents a great cross section of Mirror sailors ranging from Charlotte Griffin at seven to adults 50+. There are several parents sailing with their children, including John Clementson and son Jamie, winners of the 2006 Irish Nationals who will be looking to improve on their third at the 2005 worlds in Sweden. The team also includes 12 junior boats supported by the RYA, with their eyes on the Junior title. Of these Ed Fitzgerald will be looking to see off his sister Issy sailing with close rival Liam Arrowsmith. At ll years of age Tom Lovesey is believed to be the youngest helm ever at the World Championships. Despite his young age, Tom is no stranger to International competition, helming in the Europeans at the age of 9 and also winning the 2005 junior title and fourth overall as crew.

Team GBR also has many top lady sailors, including Juliet Long looking to defend her lady’s title from 2005, with the likes of Anna MacKenzie and Holly Scott, and Emma Houlihan and Emily MacKenzie who were second at the Europeans likely to push things to the wire.

The pre-worlds and South African Nationals start on Monday 8th January, with the actual World Championships commencing Friday 12th January.

Team GBR:

Alex Loyd & Trevor Lloyd
Angus Carlisle & Will Carlisle
Anna MacKenzie & Holly Scott
Chris Rust
Chris Swinchatt & C Swinchatt
Christopher Matthews & Oliver Townsend
Craig Bond & Mitchel Bond
David Conlon & Micheal Conlon
David Grey & Beth Grey
David Moore & Jack Moore
Ed FitzGerald & Chantel Crane
Edward Grey & Nick Elsdon
Emma Barry & Martina Barry
Emma Houlihan & Emily MacKenzie
Graham Griffin & James Griffin
Helena Newell & Chalotte Fitz
Henry Westrop & J Stevenson
James Wilkinson & Natalie Roach
Jilli Darling & Emma Spruce
John Clementson & Jamie Clementson
Juliet Long & Richard Long
Liam Arrowsmith & Issy Fitz
Lilly Carlisle & Becky Walbank
Martin Egan & Tim Wilkinson
Phillip Benn & Luke McGill
Rebecca Kalderon & Hannah Mitchell
Rob Searle & Will Searle
Rosenna Yeoward & Harry Yeoward
Simon Lovesey & Charlotte Griffin
Tom Lovesey & James Lovesey