Mirror Worlds - Final Day - New World Champions Crowned

Written by Dan King of Brightlingsea SC

As the final day dawned, the sun rose over Albany, the clouds cleared and the winds picked up from the west-south-west cutting across the bay from land and out to sea. Albany weather didn’t let us down and before long we had a constant ‘breeze’ of 17-19 knots gusting to 33 knots. Sitting in the lee, a relatively calm sailing club started to buzz as the competitors arrived.

With all to play for, the pressure at the top of the leader board was immense. We had the current European Champions, Ross Kearney from Ireland and Max Odell from England, in the lead by 5.2 points from Millie Newman and Jessica Rust of Team GBR (and the ROL Cruise sponsored Brightlingsea SC Squad), closely followed by the Filipino Olympic 470 crew and the top South African boat of the Robinsons. ‘Languishing’ down in 5th-8th were the top Aussie boats with all to play for on the final day of 2 races.

Race 14: The fleet were led away from the line by Lachlan & Finn Gilbert of Australia, with the Filipino boat 4th and Ross Kearney in 3rd. Millie and Jessica got a horrible start and passed the first windward mark in about 28th position. Then came a most remarkable run, reach, beat and run that saw the girls risking a different line to the other boats. By the time they turned the final mark to beat to the line, the girls were up to 6th place and gaining on the leaders hand over foot. But it was all in vain and the race finished in the order listed above ... requiring a miracle in the final race for Team GBR to take the overall title.

Race 14 also saw the end of David Conlon and Charlotte Bond’s campaign. A collision with Aussie National Champ, Paul Taylor, as they passed the windward mark for the 2nd time caused a huge gash in their port side, only just reaching land before the boat sank. Their subsequent protest was later upheld and average points awarded for the final 2 races.

Race 15: Lachlan & Finn Gilbert once more led the fleet from start to finish (if only the Aussie Tornado Olympic sailor had shown this form all week). Unfortunately for Millie and Jessica they started in the middle of the pack again but were not able to pull back the deficit. With Ross Kearney/Max Odell and Filipinos ahead again the die was cast.

With a performance over the week that contained four 1st places, an incredible display of consistency and despite carrying a taped up hole from the first day, the final honours and overall World Champions of 2011 went to Team Pinnel & Bax’s Ross Kearney (Ireland) and Max Odell (GB). Very deserving winners, who have been great ambassadors for the sport all week.

This is the second time Ross has taken the world crown, the first person ever to achieve this magnificent fete. It was also Max’s first world championships.

We all wish Ross well for the future as he retires from competitive Mirror racing. Winning both European and World Crowns in a season proves Ross and Max really are the top team and the guys to emulate for all those aspiring world champions.

Second place overall went to the Olympic 470 hopefuls from the Philipinnes, Rigdgely Baladeres & Rommel Chavez, who achieved three 1st places over the week. It was a great effort from the Filipino Navy entrants who had never stepped into a Mirror before the event. We wish them well for 2012 (but not too much luck).

With two 1sts over the week, the Team ROL Cruise GBR girls, Millie Newman and Jessica Rust, picked up the World Youth and Ladies Champions trophies as well as third place overall. This is a truly exceptional performance; especially given the high level of competition, the extremely tough weather conditions and the pressure of leading the pack outright for two days.

Fourth place went to the ‘pocket rockets’ of the Ryan & Ricky Robinson from South Africa. With Lachlan & Finn Gilbert of Australia 5th this made it 5 different nations in the top 5 proving what a competitive and healthy class the Mirror fleet is.

With two more exceptional performances in the final races (11 and 14), the World Junior Crown went to Matthew and Ben Lulham-Robinson, who finished in 10th place overall. With the consistency, boat speed and race tactics the boys have shown this week, I predict we are looking at future world champions, and with a raft of the top helms retiring at the end of the Albany Worlds, they will be front runner

s for the 15th Mirror Worlds in Ireland in 2012.

Elsewhere on the water:

David Conlon and Charlotte Bond finished 14th overall (average points awarded for the last 2 races)

Miles & Rory Odell finished 15th overall (15 and 12 in the last 2 races)

Nigel & Rob Thomas finished 17th overall (13 and retirement in the last 2 races)

Ed Grayson and Matthew Foster finished 19th overall (43 and 22 in the last 2 races)

Emma & Rachel Grayson finished 26th overall (19 and 36 in the last 2 races)

Craig Bond and Tom King finished 31st overall (34 and retirement in the last 2 races)

Martin Egan and Ruth Smith finished 38th overall (26 and 29 in the last 2 races)

Ollie & James King finished 55th overall (45th and 47th in the last 2 races)

Vicki Bond & Ben Eeles finished 61st overall (55 and retirement in the last 2 races)

 

Many thanks from all the competitors and support crew to the Princess Royal Sailing Club and the City of Albany for hosting such a tremendous event. The location was beautiful, the sailing was incredible, the organisation was impeccable and the hospitality shown to us all was second to none. What a fantastic place to come to. We definitely plan to return to either compete or for a vacation in the future.

A final thought to our sponsors; The World Championships has been amazing and would not have been possible without your involvement and assistance. The sport needs companies like yours to allow our young talent to progress in competitions like this.

The Brightlingsea SC squad would specifically like to thank

 

ROL Cruise (www.readeroffers.travel) - Squad Sponsor

NEEB Holdings (www. neeb.co.uk) - Kit Sponsor

Brightlingsea Town Council - Dry-kit Sponsor

Teamb4ego.com for inspiration and our war cry - BSBS

 

We all thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

 

Signing off from Western Australia for now, the dash to pack up and make the flights back to the UK has commenced – full pictures of the sailing and award ceremony to follow once we return to Blighty.

Mirror Worlds - Day 4 - Change to lead

Written by: Peter

Written by Dan King of Brightlingsea SC

Day-4 saw firm, warm south westerly winds coming off the Sterling mountain- range and out across the bay. Perfect conditions for all and a great day it proved to be for many.

Many, many happy returns to Craig Bond on his 50^th birthday – Craig and Tom King have smiled their way through the week and so it proved today as well.

With Millie and Jessica lying 1^st by only 1 point overnight to the Irish boat of Ross Kearney, there was high hopes and jangling nerves as the boats went out for the first race of the day (Race 11).

A stonking start saw Millie and Jessica head out into the lead, easily clearing the windward mark in 1^st place closely followed by the Filipino boat and Ross Kearney. However on the final beat to the line they were pushed into 2^nd place with Ross coming through into the lead. So all points square at the end of 11 races – let the nail biting commence.

No such sign of nerves in the 2^nd race of the day though (race 12) with the girls storming to 1^st place easily beating the field. With the Tazzy girls in 2^nd, the Filipinos in 3^rd and Ross Kearney in 4^th there should be a 3 point lead at the top for Millie and Jessica.

In the last race of the day (race 13) controversy reigned. With the girls well placed, the on-water judges decided an infringement to the rules had taken place and whistled their boat. On hearing the whistle the girls executed a 360 degree turn – not a 720 degree turn as listed in the sailing instructions. Although they crossed the line in 4^th they were subsequently disqualified handing the overall lead to Ross Kearney who had crossed the line in 3rd.

They now lie in 2^nd place overall 5.2 points behind Ross, with Ross’s average scores improving race by race due to an incident earlier in the week where he suffered a holed boat that was rightly adjudged to not be his fault.

The girls have graciously accepted the judge’s decision, unlike some of their supporters (namely yours truly). The Filipinos and South African lead boats follow closely behind so there is no room for any further slippages.

Elsewhere in the field, the Lulham-Robinsons took an excellent 6^th in the 11^th race, an 8^th in the 12^th race and 19^th (discard) in the 13^th race to stand in an excellent 9^th overall by the close of day 4. Matthew and Ben are only discarding a 20^th and a 19^th after 13 races, proving how consistent you need to be to score well in the Worlds.

David Conlon and Charlotte Boind pulled a 12^th in the 11^th race, 18^th in the 12^th and 8th in the final race of the day (race 13) to move back up to 13^th overall. This has been a frustrating Worlds for the reigning 29er UK national champion but perseverance pays off and they are still in the hunt for a top 10 finish.

Miles & Rory Odell took an 18^th, suffered a black flag discard in race 12 and, with Miles sporting what can only be described as ‘war paint’ instead of sunblock, closed the day with a very solid 14^th place to lie in 16^th overall.

Nigel and Rob Thomas continue to show consistency with a 25^th and a 23^rd in the first two races. Then a very strong sail in the final race earned them a 6^th place to leave them lying in 17^th place overall (180 points net) just 5 points ahead of Ed Grayson & Mat Foster in 18^th overall.

Ed Grayson and Mat Foster suffered a capsize in the 11^th race clocking a 41^st after being well placed, improved in the 12^th race to take a 19^th place, but suffered again in race 13 with a 51^st. Allowing for discards has not damaged them that much and sets up an interesting 3 way tussle with the British boats for the final day.

Emma & Rachel Grayson came an excellent 15^th in the 11^th race, a 17^th in the 12^th putting a smile on the girls faces as they came in for lunch. Unfortunately a capsize in race 13 gave them a 46^th place discard to lie a much improved 24th overall at the close of the day.

Craig Bond and Tom King took 29^th, 21^st and 29^th to lie 27^th overall. Martin Egan and Ruth Smith took a 44^th, 40^th and a 45^th (discard) to lie 40^th overall.

Ollie and James King had another torrid day with two 51^st in the first 2 races and 2 capsizes in the 13^th race to finish in 55^th, leaving them in 54^th overall.

Ben and Vicki had a really great 11^th race but unfortunately Vicki then injured her hand ahead of the 12^th race – leaving substitute Julie Eeles to take the helm with Ben for the last race of the day. They found the drink and retired but a great experience for the mother/son duo.

Just time to wish Craig many happy returns once again – go enjoy your birthday fella – and the girls all the best for the final day tomorrow.

Mirror Worlds - Day 3 - GBR KEEP THE LEAD

Written by: Peter

Written by Dan King of Brightlingsea SC

Day-3 saw probably the strangest weather conditions seen by the British Mirror fleet since arrival. The morning started warm and bright and without a breath of wind. As the boats prepared for light winds we could see a shimmer across the harbour and an increasing roughling of the water coming towards us. Then it hit, a hot dry wind from the North and temperatures soared to 41 degrees C. As the day progressed we saw thunder storms, torrential rain and squalls a plenty ... then no wind at all again for the last 'race.

During all of this, the day got off to a start very well with Millie Newman and Jessica Rust (overnight overall leaders) taking 2nd place in the first race of the day (race 8), with Ross Kearney / Max Odell in the officially Irish boat (although Max is English) taking the win.

The Lulham-Robinsons came an excellent 4th and David Conlon / Charlotte Bond hot on their heels in a closely fought 5th place with only a boats length between 3rd-5th places

Then it all went a bit downhill for the British girls; coming 19th in race 9 and 13th in race 10. While Ross and Max continued to pile on the pressure and move themselves into contention by taking an 8th in Race 9 and another 1st in Race 10 to win the day and leaving them only 1 point behind Millie and Jessica on aggregate (counting 2 discards).

Charlotte and David had a disastrous 9th race coming 35th after tangling with the committee boat anchor chain, capsizing and having to take 'turns' to ensure they weren't disqualified. Disheartened but not out of it they ventured out for the 10th and final race of the day to take another 35th moving them down to 15th overall and finally out of contention.

The last race was no race at all with barely enough wind to ruffle the sails following a torrential downpour leaving conditions hot, steamy and humid. Conditions that seemed to suit the Grayson boats with Ed and Mat Foster coming 6th and Emma and Rachel Grayson coming in 9th.

At the end of the day the Lulham-Robinsons have climbed back to 8th in Arctic Donkeez with a very solid 4th, 9th and 10th over the course of the day.

Miles and Rory Odell slipped slightly to 14th ahead of David and Charlotte, having suffered in the light winds of the last race. Ed Grayson and Mat Foster are sitting in 16th and Nigel & Rob Thomas holding 18th after another set of very consistent results (11th, 16th, 11th). Emma & Rachel Grayson sit in 27th overall, Craig Bond / Tom King in 29th, Martin Egan / Ruth Smith in 31st, Ollie and James King in 56th and Vicki Bond / Ben Eeles bringing up the rear in 61st.

Honours are still with Millie and Jessica after 10 races, they are 1 point ahead with 5 to go. Now is the time to get excited. Come on Britain, get behind them.

Mirror Worlds - Day 2 - GBR TAKE THE LEAD

Written by Dan King of Brightlingsea SC

Sorry for the delay folks – Internet access in this remote area is not always consistent.

 

Day 2 of the Worlds; despite the forecast, we awoke to very strong winds again. With Millie Newman and Jessica Rust confirmed in 3^rd place overall overnight (behind the Australian team of Paul Taylor and the Filipinos), there was much to compete for.

 

Four races on a day of two halves. Strong easterlies in the morning, tailing off and swinging south easterly in the afternoon saw Millie and Jessica claim a 1^st, 4^th,and two 2^nd places to take a convincing lead overall in the Worlds as we head into the lay day. They also won the day’s sailing taking the African Cup our first piece of silverware.

 

They sit ahead of Paul Taylor (Aussie National Champion) and the Filipino boat with Lachlan Gilbert (Aussie Tornado sailor) in 4^th.

 

David Conlon and Charlotte Bond have made a charge, progressing over the day taking 7^th, 17^th, 7^th and 6^th moving them up to 8^th overall – they are gearing up to make their move.

 

Miles and Rory Odell continue to show consistency to sit in 9^th overall. The Lulham-Robinsons dropped slightly to 11^th overall, but are sailing extremely well given the conditions.

 

Ed Grayson and Matthew Foster continue to compete strongly taking a 23^rd, 15^th, 20^th and 26^th (discard) in B-Limey to sit 17^th overall.

 

Having missed the Aussie Nationals, Nigel and Rob Thomas appear to have adjusted well to the Albany winds and waters, sitting in 20^th overall by the end of Day 2 with results that improved as the day progressed.

 

Emma and Rachel Grayson are vying with Craig Bond / Tom King (27^th and 28^th respectively). The girls boat literally hanging together with sponsors stickers (thanks Constance Hotels) while Craig and Tom are starting to make significant progress taking 11^th in the final race of the day.

 

Martin Egan and Ruth Smith, having made front page of the Albany newspaper for some spectacular windward turns, are in 31^st overall, also improving significantly as the day progressed.

 

Ollie and James King finished all 4 races, struggling again in the wind in the morning but making significant progress in the lightening afternoon session (helped by emptying water from a full front tank) taking 56^th, 52^nd, 46^th, 31^st to lie 58^th overall.

 

Vicki and Ben are yet to complete a race but have been practicing hard.

 

All in all an excellent day. Easily the best Mirror racing seen from the Brightlingsea Squad for some time. That has also seen strong performances from the other GBR Team competitors with 6 boats in the top 20 (4 in the top 11).

 

We take a rest day tomorrow, well earned and required by all and we will be celebrating both Millie and Jessica’s results as well as Craig’s 50^th Birthday.