10 May 2003

Letter to the editor www.smoothsailing.co.za:

Andrew,

I have received some (unjustified?) complaints from my sailing friends in South Africa that my regatta reports no longer contain enough 'spice' to justify my previous reputation of delivering quality 'campfire' stories from the race course. In response to this criticism, please find below some of the latest news, 'back in nam' stories, scandal and urban legend from the 49er fleet:

1) Domestic violence (18VL): Several heated post-mortem arguments following poor races/capsizes/tactical errors have been observed and some have escalated into violent brawls between helmsmen and crew and between different teams (including on-the-water and in-the-water wrestling matches). Most of these encounters are quite harmless and the teams generally 'kiss and make up'. However, it may be difficult for teams from our most recent event to have no hard feelings after a reported incidents of 49er domestic violence. As you probably know, safety concerns in the class have led to a few sailors carrying knives (to cut themselves free if entangled under the boat after a capsize). When two continental teams collided at the leeward mark, their rigs and became entangled, breaking tiller extensions, wings and a bowsprit. A furious helmsman from one of the boats jumped across, cut the mainsheet of the other boat with his knife, and then proceeded to sail away to complete the race!

2) Olympic selection drama: Perhaps the domestic violence is a result of increased tension amongst those teams who have invested a few years of their lives in Olympic campaigns and now depend for their livelihoods on qualification for the games? Whatever the reason, the 49er Olympic selection dramas from Sydney 2000 are set to repeat themselves. You may remember that the selection of the Australian 49er team was overruled by the Australian Yachting Federation, who controversially nominated the runners-up in the selection regatta, resulting in court action. This time around it seems Australia (ironically the home of skiff sailing) may struggle to qualify a team for the Olympics (the top Australian boat at Hyeres, ex-470 gold medallists finished in position 35). A quick look at the results also reveals that a few countries (Spain, Great Britain, Poland, Germany, USA, Greece) have two closely matched teams vying for a single spot. For most countries, this will be decided at the World Sailing Championships in Cadiz, Spain in September.

3) No mast, no problem: Race 2 on day 1 of Hyeres saw winds gusting over 30 knots with many broken rigs and torn sails. The world number 1 ranked Spanish Team snapped their mast top section in half on the final downwind leg. Unbelievably, they continued to race quite effectively for some time with the carbon fibre top section flopping about up the rig and finished the race in position 3 - respect!

Hopefully that will silence the peanut-gallery chirps for the immediate future.

Best regards,

Greg

spicy49er@hotmail.com