AUSSIE PERSPECTIVE ON CASCAIS 505 WORLDS By Geoff Lange Australia fielded the largest number of boats ever for a world titles held outside Australia when 14 boats, 10 from the east coast and 4 from WA attended the Cascais worlds in Portugal. Might have managed another boat if Ian Dunn had not showed his true colours by defecting to sail for his Motherland. The Aussie depth was also the best for a number of years and some strong results were recorded. I sailed with Brett Van Muster, a fairly late pairing after initially telling my normal skipper, Mike Quirk, I couldnt attend. (Actually managed to jump on a brand new Van Munster boat and leave Mike sailing his 12 year old Kyrwood. That said, give either boat to Krister Bergstrom and he would go close to winning) These are my thoughts:- The Venue The township of Cascais was a very pleasant place. Accommodation was close and not too expensive. Plenty of restaurants and bars, beautiful and friendly girls (as a number of the younger Aussie boys found out). The club/organisers tried to do the right thing but there were problems, mainly with the launching facilities. There was one ramp subject to a strong swell surge which was only able to cater for 2 boats at a time. It took more than an hour to launch and retrieve all the boats. If the wind had blown there would have been carnage. The Courses We had the whole Atlantic Ocean to sail in and we still managed to end up too close to shore with anchoraged tankers in the course area. Because of tide direction and land influence, going right into the shore was the only way to go and many of the races became a procession. With light winds I think the race committee was trying to keep us close to shore to make the best of any sea breezes that filled in. Conditions We were sailing in open ocean. Winds were light and never got above 10-12 knots except for the last race which was called off because of rain squalls. Everybody was finally enjoying themselves and to our astonishment we were told to go home at the bottom mark the first time because the race committee could not see what was going on. (It was only 15-18 knots at the time). Initially conditions were quite bumpy for the windstrength, with a left-over ground swell. As the regatta progressed the swell diminished along with whatever wind we had. The Racing Racing was very close as expected. Realistically however, the group who got the jump on the first work generally had no trouble hanging onto their lead because of the one-sided nature of the course. I think the pathfinder led at the top mark on 4 occasions and the placings of the pathfinder would have won the regatta comfortably. The trick was to get off the line clearly and then head right as soon as possible. Just blindly starting late was not always the best option because of the congestion up the line and the fact the pathfinder sails slowly across a fleet of flapping sails in light winds (with some actually to weather of the pathfinders line trying to get back). We managed to start early in one race, tack, and cross the fleet as it was starting to round second behind the pathfinder. I saw Howie do the same in the next race and go on and win. We sailed a sausage, triangle, sausage course. I think this worked extremely well and managed to keep the fleet closer together. The leaders were not handed such a big break by the bottom mark. The only improvement would be a gate at the bottom to spread the fleet out more. Whos Fast Most people would have picked Bergstrom, Hamlin, Pinnell and Hunger to finish at the top of the field after all was said and done. It was just a case to who got lucky and/or sailed the best during the week. Congratulations to Wolfgang and Holger for sailing a very intelligent regatta. Their consistency in very trying conditions set them apart. Realistically it was not a boatspeed regatta and little was proved in this regard. The pleasing thing was the revival of the Aussies in light conditions that do not really suit. Whats Fast There was a sprinkling of Rondars, Waterats, Maders and a new Van Munster in the top ten. Proctor Cummulus or D sections still appear the norm. Many different sailmakers. Everybody has moved to higher aspect foils. Krister was using his flat sails and extremely high aspect foils. I think he was optimised for more wind. No one builder or sailmaker shone out and this must be good for the class. The Aussies I think the Aussie boys should be congratulated for their on-water, alcohol consumption and sexual endevours. Bullets were scored in all three. Some special mentions are warranted:- The up and coming award - Andy Hewson and Frank These guys were really on the pace. (Andy in all 3 categories). Sailing a new Van Munster boat they managed a number of great results. Realistically could have been dealt a fairer hand and with a bit more luck a top ten finish. Watch out for these guys next year. The fast starters award Hugh Stoddart and Goose After 3 races these guys were actually leading the world titles after a bullet in race 3! Obviously on the pace and capable of finishing right up there. A bit of bad luck and lighter winds saw them fade as the week progressed. Something really special might have happened if the wind blew in the second half of the week we will never know. The Skippers bar award Wally Hewson and Blister Little success on the race course, probably due to the amount of cerveja consumed at the Aussies watering hole. The Over the Moon Award Sandra and Mark Barber I have never seen a happier couple after picking up first place in the mixed category. Mark did not let go of the mug all night. It was big and we still had trouble keeping it full of cerveja for him. Well done Sandra and Mark. The Swansong Award John Bagshaw and Richard Sadly John has sold has boat and elected to retire from competitive 505 racing. He tells me he will be maintaining an interest by getting involved in race management. You might even see him in Fremantle helping run things. Congratulations John on a distinguished career. The Once Only Award Brett Van Munster and myself We were ecstatic with our result. 7th overall including a heat win in race 1. Not bad for a last minute pairing! Obviously the new Van Munster boats are as good as any. Like always you can reflect on things that fell your way and things that didnt. Special thanks to Brett for asking me to sail and all the effort he put in to get the boat ready. Apart from the hull, this guy made all the foils and sails as well! Many others deserve a mention not this time! The Aussie fleet looks really strong and the next Nationals should be hotly contested. I feel an even stronger showing likely come the Fremantle worlds. Time for a cerveja!
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