Carnage at A-Class Worlds

Auckland, New Zealand (February 12, 2014) – The second day of the A-Class World Championships started in more wind than predicted, and certainly more than expected; today the breeze averaged 13 knots with puffs touching 20 knots.

The Emirates Team New Zealand crew had a perfect start to the day with race one delivering a clean sweep from first to fourth, Glen Ashby (1), Peter Burling (2), Blair Tuke (3) and Ray Davies (4).

The challenging conditions led to many withdrawals and retirements, with several breakages, some spectacular crashes, and for some contestants the conditions were just too rough.

Most notable was Glenn Ashby in the second race, who broke the bolts securing his starboard rudder at the top mark, forcing him to withdraw. As one might expect the Emirates Team were planning to change all the bolts securing both rudders for the race tomorrow.

Nathan Outteridge has a long night ahead of him after breaking several vital components throughout the course of the day. He had a difficult start in the first race with problems sheeting home the outhaul, when the cleat failed to jam. In the second race the bungee broke on the trapeze wire, and he deliberately stacked the boat to retrieve the wire which put him back into seventeenth place. A valiant effort saw him finish in sixth place only to break his dagger board case as he crossed the line for the final time.

“I broke everything,” was the succinct quote from Nathan after the finish.

The first boat over the line in the second race was Mischa Heemskerk, former world champion from the Netherlands, followed by Andrew Landenberger (AUS) and Adam Beattie (AUS) in third place.

Peter Burling (ETNZ / NZL) currently sits at the top of the table after a second and a fifth placing today leaving him with 21 points.

The competitors are able to drop their worst race which will be a relief for several of the top players, particularly Glenn Ashby who, had he not scored a DNF, would have been at the top of the table on 4 points.

Past NZ Champion Steve Ashby commented on his own performance saying, “We went the right way and the good guys in the fleet went the other way, but it all turned to custard from there.”

Matthew Hart managed to complete both races but commented, “Piece of advice, don’t try to sail the worlds with a broken wrist.”

No doubt several contestants will be hoping to see conditions lighten for tomorrow. Racing concludes on February 16.

Report and photos provided by Kerry Ellis, Event Director, Sailing Events Takapuna

Day Two Results (Top 10 of 81; 4 races)
1. Peter Burling (NZL) 11, 3, 2, 5; 21 points
2. Andrew Landenberger (AUS) 8, 4, 9, 2; 23
3. Scott Anderson (AUS) 2, 5,7, 14; 28
4. Blair Tuke (NZL) 15, 9, 3, 4; 31
5. Ray Davies (NZL) 7, 6, 4, 15; 32
6. Nathan Outteridge (AUS) 12, 1, 17, 6; 36
7. Adam Beattie (AUS) 6, 8, 20, 3; 37
8. Brad Collett (AUS) 3, 19, 8, 8; 38
9. Stephen Brayshaw (AUS) 14, 11, 6, 11; 42
10. Jacek Noetzel (POL) 5, 14, 11, 13; 43

Click here for full results after day two.
Click here for photos.

Additional report by Bob Griffits:
The important news away from the racing emerged from the A Class AGM. Several motions were put to change some of the Class Rules, to facilitate foiling.

All these motions were defeated, due to failure to gain the necessary thirds of the vote required to permit change.

A dedicated band of foiler’s has already emerged, and a significant numbers of others have indicated a wish to follow suit. It is likely that foiling is here to stay. It still needs further technical development, and for the moment it must continue within a restrictive framework.

So far we have seen DNA’s “J” boards, the Windrush “flexi C boards”, the Exploder “L” boards, and the Exploder “Cassette” system. No doubt other technical solutions will result. Click here for full report.