2009 Articles

Brad Taylor reports on the NSW Masters

RQYS master laser sailors Geoff Kirk, Alan Moffat and Brad Taylor travelled down to Forster for the 2009 NSW masters championships. Forster is just north of Port Stephens and has a very large salt water lake approximately 1 km inland from the surf beach. Overall there were around 100 lasers sailing in different age groups and rig configurations (standard and radial). The lake provided very close racing as the breeze was light and steady and there were no waves to contend with. There were many black flag starts which resulted in an unusually large amount of disqualifications in all races. It seemed that the majority of older NSW sailors were very twitchy at the starts. The Queenslanders took a couple of races to settle into the aggressiveness at the short starting lines.

Overall Brad Taylor won the Masters division from Victorian sailor Steve Gunther. In the apprentice division Alan Moffat finished 5^th with Geoff Kirk 7^th.

World Apprentice champion and professional sailor Brett Beyer dominated all races with the exception of a black flag disqualification. Mark Bethwaite cleaned up the Grand MASTERS. Most sailors were able to camp in good conditions at the sailing club and enjoyed a BBQ and a few drinks on Saturday night. The next NSW MASTERS event will be held in conjunction with the Australian Masters Championship in February 2011.

http://www.laser.asn.au/newsreport2.htm

http://www.laser.asn.au/regattas/results/09statemasters/Std_M.HTML

http://www.laser.asn.au/regattas/results/09statemasters/Std_App.HTML

2009 Women’s & Youth World Championship Report by Ashley Stoddart

Well Japan took a little more time to warm to in comparison to the ISAF Youth World’s in Brazil, I guess the weather was a lot warmer however there were a few more differences in terms of the culture. In Karatsu less people spoke English, and even less could read and interpret a map.  Although once we got used to these differences Karatsu became a very comfortable place to be, we got into a rhythm of riding our bikes to the club and the hospitality of the local people was amazing.

We arrived on the 24^th of July in Karatsu, after being home for 2 days to quickly catch my breath and get things together after returning from Brazil. It was good we had some time to get sorted and comfortable before the Womens Radial Worlds started. I got my boat on the 25^th, set it up and then went sailing with the other Australian Laser girls-Gabrielle King and Sarah Paterson, as well as our coach Sarah Blanck. They had already been in Karatsu for a week or so before my arrival and were able to fill me in on details about the sailing area and other off water things-like places to eat etc. Knowing that is was going to be a big 2 ½ weeks following the ISAF Youth Worlds, Sarah made it a priority to try and conserve as much energy as possible-to give me my best opportunity, especially for the Youth Worlds.

The 2 weeks and 2 regattas in Karatsu were sailed in unusual conditions for the time of year. It was most people’s expectations that we were to have a very light regatta. Apart from maybe 4 races out of 24 and the training days, the winds were at least 10-12 knots. The wave conditions were perfect, especially when the wind was stronger this was when the last reach before the finish was rather good fun! I can say Karatsu-based on the breeze and waves that I experienced, is one of the best places I have sailed.

After being in Japan for a few weeks I can now throw a few more phrases together, although nothing too impressive. The only problem I see now is that by the time you catch up on the culture and the traditions of the place you are staying, it is sadly time to go!

The last 3 regattas have been a great learning period for me, with numerous areas- like fleet and regatta management and tactics. After many races, each day, one after another, the situations begin to cement in your mind and can be easily recalled when they reoccur.

While being a very intense schedule with a lot to take in, my time abroad was also a wonderful opportunity to meet a great bunch of people and reunite with a few people I had met before.

The closing ceremony was pretty special. I was awarded 2^nd Youth Girl and also Under 17 World Champion (backing this up from my previous year’s win). With receiving both places, I got to stand on the podium twice. When standing as number one, it was a lovely feeling as the Australian Flag was raised while the anthem was played.

The regattas have taught me that every position gained in each individual race will make a huge contribution to the overall standings. The Women’s Worlds was a great regatta for my overall development as well as a preparatory tool for the Youth Worlds which followed. The Qualifying and Final Series were very different-with different intensities. During the Qualifying it was nearly about surviving and gaining any inch possible. Whereas the finals- with still a very competitive bunch of sailors in the Silver Fleet, was more about managing the leading pack and position, which became very relevant for racing in the Youth Worlds. In the Youth Worlds I don’t think I could have asked for a better regatta. I was solely focused on the sailing and doing it well from the start to the finish, the rest fell into place and resulted in a consistent 12 races.

In finishing I would like to send a big thank you for all the people who have made it possible-financially, technically and with organising, it has been a great few weeks!

Ashley Stoddart
Member of the Australian Sailing Development Squad
Laser Radial

Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF Youth World Championship 2009-Ashley Stoddart- Report

Both on and off the water, the experience of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship was amazing. The team-Australia, had a very positive feeling about it and each member attributed their personality to obtain a very happy and bubbly environment. I felt both encouraged and apart of the team throughout the whole experience.

We arrived as a team with 2 days to recover and for 3 days some of the team chartered boats at a nearby club where the 4.7 Youth Worlds are to be held shortly. This was a great chance to check out the race area and help loosen any nerves or doubt. It was around our 4th day of being in Brazil that teams slowly began to arrive, which made it more and more exciting.  Registration and boat allocation was on the 8th of July which made it feel even more real, we actually had the boats and were finally able to set things up and get comfortable. We also had our first opportunity to sail from the club hosting the Youth Worlds, however unlike other regattas that I have been to, boats were only allowed to leave the shore when the ‘D flag’ with their class flag was hoisted and boats had to be in before 4:30pm. This was another element that made the event very structured and a little different to normal. ISAF tries to make the whole experience a level playing field by also keeping all coaches on one boat on each race course, this meant access was limited. Although this was no problem for Curtis Skinner-the Australian Laser Radial Representative and myself because unlike other years both the boys and girls single handed class was in the Laser Radial, meaning we could easily tune up and help each other with information before and between each race. This was easy for us because we not only come from the same country or even state, but also the same club, so have worked a lot with each other.

Well and truly before the start of racing the whole team had built up a routine which worked for everyone. We woke and had breakfast at the same time, I rigged next to Curtis each day and we would have a team briefing after Kristen Kosmala had been to the team leaders briefing- so she was able to pass on any information; including the approximate time the race committee were going to hoist the ‘D flags’ for each class. To avoid any rush Curtis and I were ready to leave as soon as we were permitted by the flag. Like usual we had time to tune up and look at the wind and conditions on the course before the warning signal sounded. We kept within a very similar routine each day which helped to feel comfortable in the foreign surroundings and also leave nothing to be forgotten.

The racing was a lot of fun, and is now an addition to my race experience. The more and more I race, the more I become equipped with tools for next time, to use for similar situations.

I went to Brazil for the ISAF Youth Worlds with no particular expectation on results. I raced everyday as each race took place, and looked at the conditions as they were presented. I knew that with my skills and preparation that the main achievement I wanted was to enjoy the competition and the racing. With my focus being drawn to the process, my mind didn’t need to worry about the results. This helped when I did well in a race and also when I made a few mistakes and had a tough race, I was able to bounce back the next race with a positive attitude because I was looking for enjoyment more than the result at the end of the regatta. Every race I just pushed to do my best with what conditions and energy I had at the time, realising that any place gained during each race could help when points were finalised at the end. This way, looking back at the regatta I don’t have regrets with any situation, having taken every opportunity to do my best.

I am stoked with 6th place and after watching the closing ceremony, where the medals were presented it has really given me inspiration for a podium finish hopefully next time around. It was lovely to see my teammates-Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin receive the Gold Medal and to  see their joy of winning. Without a doubt they deserved this glory.

It was so lovely to share this experience with a great bunch of people, including my teammates and coaches Kristen Kosmala, Adrian Finglas and David Mann. They were organised and a lot of fun.  I also met a lot of lovely people from around the world, who I am sure I will meet again in the future. All the Youth Sailors had a chance to listen to Torben Grael, who had just came back from winning the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race and who is a multi-time Olympic Medallist. After dinner one day, there was a question and answer time which was a great insight into his life. He is such a versatile sailor, who has sailed and achieved in many different classes and aspects of sailing. This in itself was an amazing experience.

So now tomorrow (23rd July) I leave for Japan, for the 2009 Radial Women’s Worlds and 2009 Radial Youth Worlds. I am very excited for these events and believe these 2 months have been a valuable learning time and a great opportunity for experience and fun.

Thank you so much for your support and I extend my appreciation to the wider sailing community.

See you all when I return,

Ashley Stoddart

A Letter to the QLA from Ashley Stoddart

Hi Lyndall,

I was wondering if you could pass this information on to the Queensland Laser Association, it is just an update of what I have been up to, and what I am going to be doing.

A week out from leaving for Brazil, to attend the ISAF Youth Worlds is a very exciting time for me. I am currently doing final preparatory measures to make sure I have everything sorted and not leave anything to the last minute before jumping on the plan next Wednesday. The whole team will gather in Sydney for a farewell dinner with YA and sponsor OAMPS Wednesday evening, before finally departing on Thursday. I have been making a few final checklists to follow before leaving and also for arrival over in Brazil, as well as both on and off water training which continues until we leave. Looking back at my training and preparation over the last few months gives me a great deal of confidence and comfort so close to the regatta. I have been able to go down to Sydney numerous times to train with the bunch of laser sailors lead by Erik Stibbe and Sarah Blanck (who will be the coach at the Radial Worlds in Japan), raced in a few practice regattas- including the QLD State Laser Titles and have also done training with both Stewart Casey and Adrian Finglas- who will be accompanying Curtis Skinner and I, as coach in Brazil. I am very eager to have a sail over there and begin racing, it will be a great feeling. Before leaving I cannot forget to thank you, the Queensland Laser Association for the programs that you support and the encouragement you give to the Queensland Laser sailors. I appreciate the work of the association, thank you very much.

Kind Regards,

Ashley

RQYS News

RQYS has requested mid-week sailors to not leave their trolleys on the ramp and that all trolleys to be clearly marked with the boats sail number.

A new ‘six pack’ regatta entry for non-members from other clubs to come and compete will be introduced. This will allow other fleets to visit more regularly.