The ACO Musto Performance Skiff World Championships at Mounts Bay Sailing Club in Perth WA
There will be a number of video's posted here at the top of the page.
Here's one to begin. It's a flicker frame of the launching and return of the skiffs on Thursday.
Here's one to begin. It's a flicker frame of the launching and return of the skiffs on Thursday.
Day one.. Monday.
The Mustos are in town.
Thirty eight boats came to Perth to compete for the Nationals and World Championships and they were entranced by the laid back atmosphere offered by their host club, the Mounts Bay Sailing Club. Internationally recognised Race Officer Andy Curnow assembled a great team to look after both the nationals and worlds and by the time that the nationals were finished, the entrants had learnt some of the Swan river's ways and were ready for the worlds.
The first day of the Musto Worlds started as a scorcher with the temperature climbing into the 40’s. Unfortunately this meant that the weather was not going to cooperate and an early AP had the sailors looking for the start of the sea breeze.
And Hughie came to the rescue with a breeze of about ten to fifteen knots and flat water for all. Following the big winds of the Nationals on Melville Water, it was a pleasant change to go out in a moderate breeze.
After a general recall, the RO hung out a “soft” black flag and the restart was clean. Paul Dijkstra of the Netherlands went left with the fleet in tow and as the sea breeze tracked left, he overlaid the mark, giving Australians Tim Hill and Jon Newman to round the top mark in front. The leaders took the right hand side of the course enjoying the gusts coming down under kites and the lead swapped several times before they swung back up to the top mark again. Tim Hill managed to stay in front of a determined challenge by Jon Newman down the centre under the gusts rolling through the course. Tim took line honours with Jon Newman 2nd and Dave Poston 3rd.
The next race had no challenges at the start line and the best of the fleet took off to the left with Paul Dijkstra in the lead again. With the gusts moving down the centre of the course the fleet began to work their way up to the top utilizing the shifts as they came through. As the race progressed the wind began to drop and despite a great finish by Jon Newman, Paul Dijkstra managed to waft his way past at the finish with brothers Jon and Paul Newman finishing 2 and 3 while holding out a fast finishing Arthur Brett.
The racing will continue over the next week... stay tuned.
Enjoy the images.
The Mustos are in town.
Thirty eight boats came to Perth to compete for the Nationals and World Championships and they were entranced by the laid back atmosphere offered by their host club, the Mounts Bay Sailing Club. Internationally recognised Race Officer Andy Curnow assembled a great team to look after both the nationals and worlds and by the time that the nationals were finished, the entrants had learnt some of the Swan river's ways and were ready for the worlds.
The first day of the Musto Worlds started as a scorcher with the temperature climbing into the 40’s. Unfortunately this meant that the weather was not going to cooperate and an early AP had the sailors looking for the start of the sea breeze.
And Hughie came to the rescue with a breeze of about ten to fifteen knots and flat water for all. Following the big winds of the Nationals on Melville Water, it was a pleasant change to go out in a moderate breeze.
After a general recall, the RO hung out a “soft” black flag and the restart was clean. Paul Dijkstra of the Netherlands went left with the fleet in tow and as the sea breeze tracked left, he overlaid the mark, giving Australians Tim Hill and Jon Newman to round the top mark in front. The leaders took the right hand side of the course enjoying the gusts coming down under kites and the lead swapped several times before they swung back up to the top mark again. Tim Hill managed to stay in front of a determined challenge by Jon Newman down the centre under the gusts rolling through the course. Tim took line honours with Jon Newman 2nd and Dave Poston 3rd.
The next race had no challenges at the start line and the best of the fleet took off to the left with Paul Dijkstra in the lead again. With the gusts moving down the centre of the course the fleet began to work their way up to the top utilizing the shifts as they came through. As the race progressed the wind began to drop and despite a great finish by Jon Newman, Paul Dijkstra managed to waft his way past at the finish with brothers Jon and Paul Newman finishing 2 and 3 while holding out a fast finishing Arthur Brett.
The racing will continue over the next week... stay tuned.
Enjoy the images.
Day Two of the Musto Worlds.
Tuesday the 6th of January.
A discussion about the weather and a good day for an all rounder.
Predict Wind said one thing and the BOM site said another. Both of them were right. Three races were held on Melville Water West with a variation of wind strengths in the first two races ranging from 20 + knots down to 9 knots with a third race that experienced a booming comeback from the wind gods. This took the left hand side of the course up to 20 knots and started bowling the tailenders over.
The clue is in the last sentence. We didn't have the normal sea breeze on the river and the wind spectrum worked between a west sou westerly to start, that shifted into the south and then came back into the south west over the day. The winners were in the south if they could read the shifts on the water. RO Andy Cowan had the crew shifting the marks as required and maintained a good length and race time for the whole day, though AP's were required occasionally.
With a three race schedule, the race was started on time and the high winds had every one working hard to get the top end with some having to retire with equipment failure.
As the wind dropped out, the second lap was easier but the breeze started to move around and John Newman had to worked his way to first, followed by Ian Renilson and Marcus Hamilton.
Race two had the breeze kicking in a little with the left hand side favoured. A single recall on the start was ignored and after the top mark, John Reekie gybed into pressure and the lead with John Newman grabbing second, On the upward beat, a right hand shift gave John Newman the lead that was not relinquished. Thor Schoenhoff took second and sadly, due to John Reekie being OCS, Ian Renlison took third.
The third race saw a general recall that saved face for Paul Dijkstra, as he'd hit the pin end boat on the way through while pushing his luck. On the next start, a pod of dolphins joined the start line and had a clear advantage over the fleet as they were not subject to Hughie's demands. Sergei Samus needs to be remembered for a port crossing that covered the fleet, but he was so enamoured with the stunt that he went too far to the right as the left hand fleet took advantage of the pressure that was on the water and stormed home at the top. The breeze dropped out on the final leg and had the pack split up chasing the shifts. Jon Newman took a couple of gybes that took him past a strong group of Brett, Schoenhoff and Dave Postern but Renlison had managed to get to the front in the mean time and had Thor Schoenhoff, Jon Newman and Paul Dijkstra follow him home.
The full results are available at http://www.mustoskiff.com.au/
Enjoy the images.
Tuesday the 6th of January.
A discussion about the weather and a good day for an all rounder.
Predict Wind said one thing and the BOM site said another. Both of them were right. Three races were held on Melville Water West with a variation of wind strengths in the first two races ranging from 20 + knots down to 9 knots with a third race that experienced a booming comeback from the wind gods. This took the left hand side of the course up to 20 knots and started bowling the tailenders over.
The clue is in the last sentence. We didn't have the normal sea breeze on the river and the wind spectrum worked between a west sou westerly to start, that shifted into the south and then came back into the south west over the day. The winners were in the south if they could read the shifts on the water. RO Andy Cowan had the crew shifting the marks as required and maintained a good length and race time for the whole day, though AP's were required occasionally.
With a three race schedule, the race was started on time and the high winds had every one working hard to get the top end with some having to retire with equipment failure.
As the wind dropped out, the second lap was easier but the breeze started to move around and John Newman had to worked his way to first, followed by Ian Renilson and Marcus Hamilton.
Race two had the breeze kicking in a little with the left hand side favoured. A single recall on the start was ignored and after the top mark, John Reekie gybed into pressure and the lead with John Newman grabbing second, On the upward beat, a right hand shift gave John Newman the lead that was not relinquished. Thor Schoenhoff took second and sadly, due to John Reekie being OCS, Ian Renlison took third.
The third race saw a general recall that saved face for Paul Dijkstra, as he'd hit the pin end boat on the way through while pushing his luck. On the next start, a pod of dolphins joined the start line and had a clear advantage over the fleet as they were not subject to Hughie's demands. Sergei Samus needs to be remembered for a port crossing that covered the fleet, but he was so enamoured with the stunt that he went too far to the right as the left hand fleet took advantage of the pressure that was on the water and stormed home at the top. The breeze dropped out on the final leg and had the pack split up chasing the shifts. Jon Newman took a couple of gybes that took him past a strong group of Brett, Schoenhoff and Dave Postern but Renlison had managed to get to the front in the mean time and had Thor Schoenhoff, Jon Newman and Paul Dijkstra follow him home.
The full results are available at http://www.mustoskiff.com.au/
Enjoy the images.
Day three of the Musto Worlds. It was to be a blown out day with a roaring southerly. It never got in.
Read the story .
Day three, races six and seven
A big day for Jon Newman.
The sailors were talking at the breakfast table of a forecast of 25 knots or better with big whitecaps on the water and a fair number of capsizes to deal with. Down on the lawn, they were working on how to take spare tiller extensions with them in case they broke them.
The start boat took off with an easterly still in charge and once we had settled into position it was a case of wait and see.
After a few false starts caused by massive wind variations, the RO had the Mustos underway for the first race on a 130 degree course and 7 to 10 knots on offer. The game of Snakes and Ladders came to mind with the leaders swapping with the lower orders after the first rounding of the gates and Tim Hill shot into the lead. Soft conditions on the next beat saw Tim lose his lead to the chasing pack. On the next run down the pack was reshuffled with Jon Newman and Marcus Hamilton advancing to the finish, while John Reekie was able to snaffle third. The rest of the fleet was able to consider the chances they had during the first race and look forward to the next.
In the second race, a building southerly greeted the fleet and with a generous top up of cold water from the safety boats, the choice was to go left or right on the first work up the hill. Playing the middle paid for Richie Robinson, Marcus Hamilton and Jon Newman as they hit the top mark with Robinson in the lead. The breeze filled in a little more and the three sped off from the rest of the pack on a port gybe with Marcus in the lead followed by Jon Newman and Robinson third. The greeting at the gate was nothing less than a 45 degree course change to the left, that had some of the tailenders floundering. Newman went hard left, having picked up the new mark while Marcus and Richie took off up the centre. The left call paid off with Newman 200 metres in front of the pair at the mark and his down wind speed made him untouchable. Marcus Hamilton, still recovering to a serious cork to his arm from yesterday, made it quite clear he was in recovery as he rolled Robinson half way down using the huge left pressure to carry him through.
Good breezes are forecast for Thursday and the Musto pack is waiting.
Can the master of cool Jon Newman, keep the ball rolling with these big wins?
Will the flying Scotsman Ian Renlison continue to improve?
All these questions will be answered eventually or go to the full results, available at http://www.mustoskiff.com.au/
Read the story .
Day three, races six and seven
A big day for Jon Newman.
The sailors were talking at the breakfast table of a forecast of 25 knots or better with big whitecaps on the water and a fair number of capsizes to deal with. Down on the lawn, they were working on how to take spare tiller extensions with them in case they broke them.
The start boat took off with an easterly still in charge and once we had settled into position it was a case of wait and see.
After a few false starts caused by massive wind variations, the RO had the Mustos underway for the first race on a 130 degree course and 7 to 10 knots on offer. The game of Snakes and Ladders came to mind with the leaders swapping with the lower orders after the first rounding of the gates and Tim Hill shot into the lead. Soft conditions on the next beat saw Tim lose his lead to the chasing pack. On the next run down the pack was reshuffled with Jon Newman and Marcus Hamilton advancing to the finish, while John Reekie was able to snaffle third. The rest of the fleet was able to consider the chances they had during the first race and look forward to the next.
In the second race, a building southerly greeted the fleet and with a generous top up of cold water from the safety boats, the choice was to go left or right on the first work up the hill. Playing the middle paid for Richie Robinson, Marcus Hamilton and Jon Newman as they hit the top mark with Robinson in the lead. The breeze filled in a little more and the three sped off from the rest of the pack on a port gybe with Marcus in the lead followed by Jon Newman and Robinson third. The greeting at the gate was nothing less than a 45 degree course change to the left, that had some of the tailenders floundering. Newman went hard left, having picked up the new mark while Marcus and Richie took off up the centre. The left call paid off with Newman 200 metres in front of the pair at the mark and his down wind speed made him untouchable. Marcus Hamilton, still recovering to a serious cork to his arm from yesterday, made it quite clear he was in recovery as he rolled Robinson half way down using the huge left pressure to carry him through.
Good breezes are forecast for Thursday and the Musto pack is waiting.
Can the master of cool Jon Newman, keep the ball rolling with these big wins?
Will the flying Scotsman Ian Renlison continue to improve?
All these questions will be answered eventually or go to the full results, available at http://www.mustoskiff.com.au/
Day 4 and the Easterlies blew all day. To any one who lives here, it's entirely predictable once they set in that hard over night. But it made for interesting sailing on shifty easterlies...Read the story below
Day four; races eight, nine and ten.
Jon Newman is the World Champion again!
Jon Newman has confirmed his ownership of the World Championship for another year. But it’s not over yet, with second to seventh place open for the taking. In a south easterly that made it interesting for the mark laying team, let alone the RO, three races were sailed today. With more than 20 knots in the gusts, you would expect it to be choppy and hard to sail on, but the flat water that was on offer was taken up with gusto by the Musto sailors. Another day of Snakes and Ladders loomed.
The first race of the day had the majority of the top ten heading left only to find that going right was the paying proposition. Denis Jones found himself in the lead at the bottom mark and took a right, to find that those who headed left managed to get past him at the top. Jon Newman took the lead from top mark to bottom mark and saw Marcus Hamilton catch up and Thor Schoenhoff slip into third place and they didn’t change their positions from then on; giving Jon Newman a first for the day. Race two started with a general recall and the “soft black” or U flag was in evidence. The breeze was oscillating 10 to 15 degrees across the course and the first windward had Brit Tom Conway rounding first with Thor and Jon Newman in hot pursuit. The down wind section was again affected by the left/right pressure and Jon Newman used his skills to take the bottom mark in first place. John Reekie had come into play by this time and was sitting behind Thor Schoenhoff in third. The second lap had a reshuffle of the pack with Denis Jones and Richie Robinson making initial gains but Marcus Hamilton went with them and managed to get past Jon momentarily, only to have Jon slip past him in the next lap and take first again with Marcus second and Thor in third.
Race three had Paul Dijkstra at the pin end, watching the sponsor’s boats up the river in an associated regatta of their own, lifting about 20 degrees and took the view that going left would be of benefit. The top mark was his on the first rounding followed by Jon Newman and Marcus Hamilton. Still in front on the down wind, Paul took the other gate to Arthur Brett and watched him get to the front and had to battle all the way back to the top mark with him. Both of them were caught at the top by a lull in the breeze and Jon Newman got to the top mark and grabbed hold of a passing gust to slip past them and hold the lead to the finish.
Jon turned up the volume as he shouted his joy. World Champion again.
But still the question has to be answered tomorrow. Who will take the minors?
There are a lot of people interested in the option.
Full results are available at http://www.mustoskiff.com.au/
Jon Newman is the World Champion again!
Jon Newman has confirmed his ownership of the World Championship for another year. But it’s not over yet, with second to seventh place open for the taking. In a south easterly that made it interesting for the mark laying team, let alone the RO, three races were sailed today. With more than 20 knots in the gusts, you would expect it to be choppy and hard to sail on, but the flat water that was on offer was taken up with gusto by the Musto sailors. Another day of Snakes and Ladders loomed.
The first race of the day had the majority of the top ten heading left only to find that going right was the paying proposition. Denis Jones found himself in the lead at the bottom mark and took a right, to find that those who headed left managed to get past him at the top. Jon Newman took the lead from top mark to bottom mark and saw Marcus Hamilton catch up and Thor Schoenhoff slip into third place and they didn’t change their positions from then on; giving Jon Newman a first for the day. Race two started with a general recall and the “soft black” or U flag was in evidence. The breeze was oscillating 10 to 15 degrees across the course and the first windward had Brit Tom Conway rounding first with Thor and Jon Newman in hot pursuit. The down wind section was again affected by the left/right pressure and Jon Newman used his skills to take the bottom mark in first place. John Reekie had come into play by this time and was sitting behind Thor Schoenhoff in third. The second lap had a reshuffle of the pack with Denis Jones and Richie Robinson making initial gains but Marcus Hamilton went with them and managed to get past Jon momentarily, only to have Jon slip past him in the next lap and take first again with Marcus second and Thor in third.
Race three had Paul Dijkstra at the pin end, watching the sponsor’s boats up the river in an associated regatta of their own, lifting about 20 degrees and took the view that going left would be of benefit. The top mark was his on the first rounding followed by Jon Newman and Marcus Hamilton. Still in front on the down wind, Paul took the other gate to Arthur Brett and watched him get to the front and had to battle all the way back to the top mark with him. Both of them were caught at the top by a lull in the breeze and Jon Newman got to the top mark and grabbed hold of a passing gust to slip past them and hold the lead to the finish.
Jon turned up the volume as he shouted his joy. World Champion again.
But still the question has to be answered tomorrow. Who will take the minors?
There are a lot of people interested in the option.
Full results are available at http://www.mustoskiff.com.au/
The final day of the Musto Worlds in Perth WA
Day five; races eleven and twelve.
The battle continued on the Swan river in Perth as the minor places were fought out. Surprisingly, the regatta itself had decided the placings with very little changes occurring in the last two races. Both Marcus Hamilton and Thor Schoenhoff had kept their placings, second and third and only minor changes in the top ten.
The first race of the final day started with the same south easterly blowing. Flat water, wind shifts and big gusts that boomed through the course laid across the Swan River made a mockery of a decision to go either left or right on occasions. Lucky for us we had a good Race Officer in Andy. The fleet got away successfully with Nigel Wallbank making it to the top, riding the shifts to do so. He was followed by young sailor Stuart Keegan and who else but Jon Newman. A big gust took the fleet down to the leeward mark where a few falls occurred as the boats came together. Unfortunately Nigel overstood the mark and allowed the pack past. The pack comprising of Stuart, Thor, Paul Newman and Jon Newman took off up the right hand side to reap a handsome dividend. From then on the race evolved into a game of pick the shifts and as may be expected Jon Newman took first with Stuart Keegan second and Dave Poston third.
The last race for the day and championships started with the pack splitting in half with those who went left losing as the breeze dropped momentarily. Wayne Bates (Batesy) hit the right hand corner and looked famous with 100 metres to go. A big left hand shift moved in and it is rumoured that the world champion may have been beaten to the top, but only just. As the race progressed, frequent swings and huge gusts of wind coming down the course kept them on their toes and frequently you could ride a gust down to the bottom. The lead changed several times but Marcus Hamilton made t to the line in front, followed by David Poston and Richie Robinson took third while riding a huge gust that took him past several players including Dennis Jones.
The regatta has concluded and Jon Newman has rightfully claimed his crown at presentations tonight. Marcus Hamilton gracefully thanked all and sundry for his second spot and Thor Schoenhoff was chuffed to take third spot to go with his State championship.
The containers are packed, the presentation dinner has all but finished and all that has to be done is to thank the organising team, the race committee and the volunteers who put the hard yards in to get the ACO Musto Worlds to the finish point.
Full results are available at http://www.mustoskiff.com.au/
Rick Steuart
Day five; races eleven and twelve.
The battle continued on the Swan river in Perth as the minor places were fought out. Surprisingly, the regatta itself had decided the placings with very little changes occurring in the last two races. Both Marcus Hamilton and Thor Schoenhoff had kept their placings, second and third and only minor changes in the top ten.
The first race of the final day started with the same south easterly blowing. Flat water, wind shifts and big gusts that boomed through the course laid across the Swan River made a mockery of a decision to go either left or right on occasions. Lucky for us we had a good Race Officer in Andy. The fleet got away successfully with Nigel Wallbank making it to the top, riding the shifts to do so. He was followed by young sailor Stuart Keegan and who else but Jon Newman. A big gust took the fleet down to the leeward mark where a few falls occurred as the boats came together. Unfortunately Nigel overstood the mark and allowed the pack past. The pack comprising of Stuart, Thor, Paul Newman and Jon Newman took off up the right hand side to reap a handsome dividend. From then on the race evolved into a game of pick the shifts and as may be expected Jon Newman took first with Stuart Keegan second and Dave Poston third.
The last race for the day and championships started with the pack splitting in half with those who went left losing as the breeze dropped momentarily. Wayne Bates (Batesy) hit the right hand corner and looked famous with 100 metres to go. A big left hand shift moved in and it is rumoured that the world champion may have been beaten to the top, but only just. As the race progressed, frequent swings and huge gusts of wind coming down the course kept them on their toes and frequently you could ride a gust down to the bottom. The lead changed several times but Marcus Hamilton made t to the line in front, followed by David Poston and Richie Robinson took third while riding a huge gust that took him past several players including Dennis Jones.
The regatta has concluded and Jon Newman has rightfully claimed his crown at presentations tonight. Marcus Hamilton gracefully thanked all and sundry for his second spot and Thor Schoenhoff was chuffed to take third spot to go with his State championship.
The containers are packed, the presentation dinner has all but finished and all that has to be done is to thank the organising team, the race committee and the volunteers who put the hard yards in to get the ACO Musto Worlds to the finish point.
Full results are available at http://www.mustoskiff.com.au/
Rick Steuart
The presentation dinner and a summary of the event from the photographers POV.
The dinner was a great success and the room was packed with groups of friends, volunteers and the organizing group of Musto sailors that successfully convinced Mounts Bay Sailing club to take on the gig. Well done Mounts Bay... a great job done with minimal hassles. The catering by the club was sufficient to keep even the heartiest of eaters happy through the day and there was always a slab of pizza and a beer to stoke up the boys after a day on the skiff.
The weather gods must have decided that having scared the daylights out of them in the Nationals with south westerly's of 25 + knots whipping through the river, they would then lay on south easterlies that would test even the best sailors in the shifty extremes that bolted down the course in gusts that made a joke of the best laid plans. Reading the gusts and learning to predict the unpredictable became the norm and it's no wonder Jon Newman has the title of World Champion. He was always riding the gusts and would be seen working up the centre of the course while everyone was banging corners. Marcus and Thor did pretty much that as well and kept him in company as far as possible. I am however in awe of British Grand Master Ian Renlison who not only kept up, but was lying second after 4 races and only succumbed a little to finish 4th over all. Another fine sailor who had a little bad luck was Dutchman Paul Dijkstra, who had a chance to finish in the top 5, but broke a main sheet in the second last race and had to retire leaving him holding a 17 from a race that went nowhere. Accepting 7th place, he said "In the balance it was my fault. I'm the one checking my gear".
I'd like to thanks the Musto's of Perth for the invitation to photograph the Worlds, to Mounts Bay Sailing Club for the venue the ride and (a blessing) an air-conditioned press room. To Marika and Paul your help and insights into the Musto people was invaluable. To Denis, Chris and Thor ...hold your heads up lads. A good week on the water.
The presentations follow
The dinner was a great success and the room was packed with groups of friends, volunteers and the organizing group of Musto sailors that successfully convinced Mounts Bay Sailing club to take on the gig. Well done Mounts Bay... a great job done with minimal hassles. The catering by the club was sufficient to keep even the heartiest of eaters happy through the day and there was always a slab of pizza and a beer to stoke up the boys after a day on the skiff.
The weather gods must have decided that having scared the daylights out of them in the Nationals with south westerly's of 25 + knots whipping through the river, they would then lay on south easterlies that would test even the best sailors in the shifty extremes that bolted down the course in gusts that made a joke of the best laid plans. Reading the gusts and learning to predict the unpredictable became the norm and it's no wonder Jon Newman has the title of World Champion. He was always riding the gusts and would be seen working up the centre of the course while everyone was banging corners. Marcus and Thor did pretty much that as well and kept him in company as far as possible. I am however in awe of British Grand Master Ian Renlison who not only kept up, but was lying second after 4 races and only succumbed a little to finish 4th over all. Another fine sailor who had a little bad luck was Dutchman Paul Dijkstra, who had a chance to finish in the top 5, but broke a main sheet in the second last race and had to retire leaving him holding a 17 from a race that went nowhere. Accepting 7th place, he said "In the balance it was my fault. I'm the one checking my gear".
I'd like to thanks the Musto's of Perth for the invitation to photograph the Worlds, to Mounts Bay Sailing Club for the venue the ride and (a blessing) an air-conditioned press room. To Marika and Paul your help and insights into the Musto people was invaluable. To Denis, Chris and Thor ...hold your heads up lads. A good week on the water.
The presentations follow