The international ISAF Grade 1 regatta was again professionally hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club. Race management, led by Race Director Kevin Wilson, decided early on to hold some morning races just so Beijing conditions could be emulated.

While the prevalent sea breeze arrived on the courses most afternoons, we did not see huge amounts of the heavy winds and lumpy seas that Port Phillip is renowned for.

In fact, the 260 competitors taking part were faced with light and shifty with some big shifts, turning to nice sea breezes in the afternoon. But apart from the first day of racing, winds were not excessive – 20 to 25 tops. It became blatant during competition just who could handle the light stuff and who were good all round.

The climax to the event came as officials tested the new ISAF Medal Race format. The top 10 from each of the Olympic classes raced in the double points Medal Race – winner take all. Sailors’ feelings were diverse. Although most loved the concept, there were reservations. Some described the double points Medal Race as “savage”, claiming it did not necessarily reward those who had sailed a consistent series – a valid point.

A few said they preferred the old two race-drop system, but others were keen for the no-drop system, like the Farr 40s have - and single points rather than double. In other words, they said, keep it simple. As a number conceded, the new format is food for thought, but felt more trialling would give a clearer picture.

All agreed they felt under pressure to perform, and in most cases played it very safe. As one put it and many others agreed: “You knew you couldn’t screw up - so most of us weren’t pushing it too hard. We were more careful in our approach and were mindful of the rest of the fleet sailing more safely.” Remind you of the Olympic Games?

Using the Medal Race format at regattas in the lead up to Beijing may help settle or even overcome the nerves and stress associated with Olympic sailing; particularly those who have suffered to the point where they don’t compete at anywhere near their premium level. At worst, the format could help competitors at least get used to dealing with the stress.

Those competing at Sail Melbourne did understand and agreed that the new format, designed to make sailing more accessible to the general public and the media, was good. But many showed concerns in relation to on-water umpiring. Some were penalised, but had no idea why and they and others showed concern for the finality of it at such an important stage.

Race management at Sail Melbourne, as in the past, was superb. Kevin Wilson and his brother Ross, the Principal Race Officer, along with their experienced team of race officials, did a very professional job – all of them volunteers.

The Wilson’s are continuing the tradition of training up new race offers and attend many regattas around Australia at cost to themselves. On the ground, more volunteers, many of the same faces seen year in year out at Sail Melbourne, kept the wheels turning.

Joe Butterfield from New Zealand chaired the international jury and doubled up as Chief Umpire for the Medal Race. Prior to that race, Butterfield said they were equally nervous and excited, being the first to try out the new Olympic format. He said the team had conducted a “think tank” nightly prior to the big day, “trying to be ready for any eventuality.”

Post event, Butterfield was pleased – everything had gone according to plan. “We enjoyed the experience and are happy all went smoothly,” he said.

Ms Meng Shuxia, Deputy Secretary General of Chinese Yachting Association, returned to Sandringham this year to garner more information and witness the new Olympic format.

Ms Shuxia took up Sail Melbourne Chairman Kevin Wood’s invitation to visit the event last year, where she and her team were given training in race management. Well aware that Sydney 2000 was dubbed “the best Olympics ever,” she said good progress was being made at the sailing venue in China as they prepared for 2008.

New also to Sail Melbourne, the recently selected Olympic class Neil Pryde RS:X sailboard making its debut at an ISAF Grade 1 event. Quite different to the Mistral – the board is shorter and fatter, it made quite an impact and appeared popular. Fast in good breeze, a large entry came from overseas to join the locals to test the RS:X, several having their first competition with the new board.

The Dutch and Kiwis stood out in the RS:X Men’s early on and went on to take the top four places. In fact, Casper Bouman (NED) led from day one to take gold from JP Tobin (NZ) and Joeri Van Dijk (NED).

Fascinating to see how well the Chinese, Japanese and Hong Kong women took to the board in lighter air, but when the wind came in larger doses, including the final day, at 20-25 knots, the new Formula Windsurfing world champion, Allison Shreeve (AUS) came into her own. She fought back from sixth place going into the Medal Race to take the silver medal.

But it was Chen Qiubin (CHI) with the most consistent scorecard who won gold, although the heavy winds of the Medal Race left her in seventh place.

Competition wise, there were a lot of new faces moved up from the Youth ranks, with Olympic selection on their minds. In some classes, close competition made it difficult to judge who the stand outs might be in 2008.

However, it became evident that the Japanese, Singaporean and in particular the Chinese girls, will be strong competitors in Quing Dao. China, which fielded a small team this year, will most likely be well represented across the classes at Sail Melbourne 2007, where the full extent of their light air sailing skills will become evident

Even though Krystal Weir (AUS) won the Laser Radial gold, Chinese girls Xu Lijia and Shen Xiaoying kept her honest throughout, respectively finishing first and second in the final race to take silver and bronze.

The 49er was another point in case, with a number of challenges thrown down. The Japanese crew of Kenjiro Todoroki/Kenji Takahashi held a slim lead for most of the series, but a couple Aussies and a Kiwi crew threw down the gauntlet.

At only his second major regatta since a near-fatal spinal injury on his way to this event last year, and in third place going into the final race, Nathan Outteridge with crew Ben Austin (AUS) stayed cool to pip the Japanese on the finish line and steal gold – the Japanese took silver.

Again in the Men’s 470, the Japanese crew, Kazuto Seki/Syouichi Yanagawa, gave the top two Aussie crews angst throughout. The Athens bronze medallists won the final race, but not the series – the Australian crew of Nathan Wilmot/Malcolm Page, current 470 world champions, had that pleasure after finishing the final race second.

Mathew Belcher/Nick Behrens (AUS) who had led the series early on and were on equal first going into the final, finished that race fourth for the bronze medal. The two have spent less than two years together, but have made big inroads in that time, winning and top placing in the past year at major regattas. Unlike a number of Australian sailors, the pair sails well in both light and heavy winds.

The Australian women were not so lucky in the 470, Japan took gold. Yuka Yoshisako/Noriko Ohkuma and Elise Rechichi/Tessa Parkinson battled from day one, the Aussies led by one point going into the final, in which the Japanese finished fourth to take gold from Rechichi who finished fifth.

Bronze and fourth places were once again between Japan and Australia. Again, it was Japan, as Ai Kondo/Naoko Kamata won the Medal Race to take bronze from Lauren Jeffries/Rike Ziegelmayer after their Medal Race second. Both countries have strong representation in the class.

Equally, a number of Australians stood out above the rest winning their respective classes with ease; Tom Slingsby in the Laser, Anthony Nossiter (Finn), Nicky Bethwaite/Julie Grimshaw/Petronella De Jong (Yngling) and Darren Bundock (Tornado).

In the case of the Yngling and Finn, there was no international competition – that will change at next year’s event. Bundock and Slingsby though, did have strong opposition. Despite losing his crew after the second race when Glenn Ashby broke bones in his foot, Bundock got on with the job. Victorian sailor Josh Fugill filled the breach admirably and the pair took gold.

Leigh McMillan/Will Howden (GBR), ISAF World Ranked 4 and second placegetters at the 2005 Worlds, took silver. Mistral Olympic multi-medallists Aaron McIntosh/Bruce Kendall (NZL) took bronze. Having only partnered in the Tornado in recent times, the future in their new class looks secure.

Slingsby, undoubtedly a talent, missed the 2005 Laser Worlds suffering shin problems (which are still on the mend), but came back with little match practice for his eight-point win from Matias Del Solar (CHI).

Commenting on the regatta his has chaired for many years, Kevin Wood said: “I thought it was a fantastic regatta and many elements brought that about.

Competitors had a wide range of sailing conditions with varying winds strengths which gave everyone a fair go and we implemented some morning start races, which were well received, as they simulated the likely conditions for Quing Dao.”

“The growing strength of Sail Melbourne and its status was confirmed by a 60% increase in numbers at the competition, with 50% of those coming from overseas, making it a truly international event.

“Overall 21 nations participated with top ranked sailors providing a high level of competition and we are looking forward to an increased number in 2007 – with many countries expressing interest in using Sail Melbourne for their Olympic trials.”

Thanks go to Sandringham Yacht Club in providing some of the best facilities in Australia and to the huge volunteer force which makes this event possible.  My especial thanks go to Ian `Wally` Wall - one of the best and most helpful media boat drivers around and to Marlie Snow for keeping us all fed and entertained.

Sail Melbourne is made possible by the support of event sponsors: Sport & Recreation Victoria, Collex, Parks Victoria; associate sponsors Bayside City Council and Menere's BMW Brighton and support sponsors Ronstan International, Schenker Australia, Singapore Airlines and City of Kingston and the City of Port Philip.

Source: Di Pearson