| FREMANTLE, AUS-(2-12-2002) Today has been slightly different from previous days in that there were a
few small clouds in the sky this morning. The weather system that gave us
very strong winds all yesterday and last night has gone, and it was a
lighter seabreeze today, perhaps 18-22 knots at noon, somewhat stronger in
the late afternoon.
Measurement and registration were going `Great Guns` all day. A number of
teams were out practicing. Pip Pearson and I finally made it out for a
sail. It is a little interesting getting in and out of the harbour as it is
SO shifty and puffy behind the high breakwater. Once out into the Indian
Ocean, the sailing is fabulous... the colour of the water varies with the
depth, and is very reminiscent of Bermuda's Great Sound.
We saw three flying fish -- the first I have ever seen -- pop out of the
water just in front of our bow and glide to windward before diving back in.
WOW!
We planed around for awhile, threw in some tacks, hoists and gybes and
lined up with a couple of Australian boats to check out speed and height; so
far so good.
It seems to me that we have all the pieces necessary to have an
extraordinary 505 World Championship. Fremantle is terrific, the beaches
marvelous, the water warm, very clear and beautiful. The organisers seem to
have thought of just about everything, and it looks like we're going to have
20 knots or more each afternoon, and it could be quite a bit higher. We
have 107 competitors so far, with an exceptional entry list including:
Two time 505 world champion Chris Nicholson, racing 505s again with his
brother Darren. Chris has also had a rather good run in some skiff classes
including winning something like 3 49er world championships and two 18
footer Grand Prix championships.
Past 505 World Champion (he also won a silver medal in the 49ers in
Sydney) Ian Barker, racing with Danny Cripps.
Five time 505 world champion Krister Bergstrom with long time crew Thomas
Moss.
Multi-class world champion (but not 505s as yet) and multi-time 505 UK
National Champion Ian Pinnell, racing again with Steve Hunt.
Simon Payne racing with 1995 505 World Champion Bill `Billy Boy`
Masterman.
Past 505 World Champions Howard Hamlin/Mike Martin, who are also two of
the three man team that won the Australian 18 footer Worlds -- the JJ
Giltinan.
Other strong `Team Tuesday` teams who practice every Tuesday afternoon
with Hamlin/Martin are here too; Andy Beekman/Ben Benjamin (2nd at the 1999
Worlds) and Danny Thompson/Andy Zinn.
We are waiting to see if top Swedish sailor Johan Barne can make it here
in time for the Worlds. He is currently in Auckland with the Swedish
Victory Challenge America's Cup team, which was recently eliminated, but it
is not clear Victory Challenge will release him in time for him to make
here. The rumour is that 2001 World Champion 505 crew Holger Jess is the
alternate crew for skipper Tom Swift if Johan cannot make it.
Well known naval architect, AC boat designer, and 18 footer champion Iain
Murray, crewing for his wife Alex Murray.
This list does not even start to show the depth of the Australian
contingent, with many of the best known names in Australian dinghy sailing
here.
It looks like we have ten countries represented so far (AUS, GBR, ZIM,
USA, GER, FRA, NZL, SWE, DEN, CAN).
We'll have to see how the racing goes, but so far, I'm wondering how soon
the Western Australians would be willing to host another 505 World
Championship.
Worlds Information: http://www.505.com.au/
505 Information: http://www.int505.org/
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