The Warren Jones
International Youth Regatta 2020
Incorporated in the City of Perth Festival of Sail
Once again the City of Perth has been able to offer Perth Waters to the Warren Jones International Youth Regatta and this time its Royal Freshwater Bay's turn to host the event.
This of course means that Boulden and Prieto-Low (both Freshy boys) can and will return to the battle and we have the added pleasure of the return of Harry Price ( CYCA Sydney), Aurelian Pierroz from France, Tom Grimes ( CYCA Sydney), Nick Ergnot-Johnson (New Zealand) and Johanna Bergqvist (Sweden). Joining us this year we have; Matt Whitfield from the UK, Emil Kjaer of Denmark and Jeffrey Petersen of the USA.
To add to this we have the JESS Match cup of which Conor Nicholas of SoPYC was the winner and the Collin Mullins Regatta winner Marcello Torres
Will Boulden and Harry Price have unfinished business and time is running out for both of them. Harry is one up and would like to carry that through with another win. I'm sure this time that Will Boulden will be checking all his spinnaker clips and taping them up this year. Its hard not to remember last year and what that cost him. Nick Egnot - Johnson is top of the rankings and has clearly been working hard. He may split this pair. Conor Nicholas is still the dark horse in this event and he has no wish to lose. He can and will drive the boat to the best that he get out of the crew. Tom should improve this year as should Johanna, both suffered with a steep learning curve last year. Not now. Ethan Prieto- Low should do well and I'd like to see them pushing into the semis if the breeze suits them. However Aurelien, Matt and Emil are all young and ranking in the low 20's. They could cause trouble. I don't know too much about Jeffery Petersen from the USA, but it suggests that if he's good enough to compete, then he's able to cause grief if he settles in.
As in last year I will be attending on three days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday however if the mood takes me I might do some work from the shore line.
Please be patient in regards to photos going up. They take time to process.
This of course means that Boulden and Prieto-Low (both Freshy boys) can and will return to the battle and we have the added pleasure of the return of Harry Price ( CYCA Sydney), Aurelian Pierroz from France, Tom Grimes ( CYCA Sydney), Nick Ergnot-Johnson (New Zealand) and Johanna Bergqvist (Sweden). Joining us this year we have; Matt Whitfield from the UK, Emil Kjaer of Denmark and Jeffrey Petersen of the USA.
To add to this we have the JESS Match cup of which Conor Nicholas of SoPYC was the winner and the Collin Mullins Regatta winner Marcello Torres
Will Boulden and Harry Price have unfinished business and time is running out for both of them. Harry is one up and would like to carry that through with another win. I'm sure this time that Will Boulden will be checking all his spinnaker clips and taping them up this year. Its hard not to remember last year and what that cost him. Nick Egnot - Johnson is top of the rankings and has clearly been working hard. He may split this pair. Conor Nicholas is still the dark horse in this event and he has no wish to lose. He can and will drive the boat to the best that he get out of the crew. Tom should improve this year as should Johanna, both suffered with a steep learning curve last year. Not now. Ethan Prieto- Low should do well and I'd like to see them pushing into the semis if the breeze suits them. However Aurelien, Matt and Emil are all young and ranking in the low 20's. They could cause trouble. I don't know too much about Jeffery Petersen from the USA, but it suggests that if he's good enough to compete, then he's able to cause grief if he settles in.
As in last year I will be attending on three days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday however if the mood takes me I might do some work from the shore line.
Please be patient in regards to photos going up. They take time to process.
The Warren Jones 2020
Friday the 31st of January
Racing began with the RFBYC start boat parked on the line. ORPYC had been retired for the event and the Freshie start crew were in action again. A good sou wester and everything beginning at 1500 hrs. Parking was again available on the foreshore and there were a number of people watching. I hope that it stays like this if racing continues to occurr on Perth Waters.
If you're going to be wrong in the pick, its safe to say that Harry Price didn't make his mind up till Friday morning. He chose his sparring partner from Sydney, Tom Grimes and showed everyone on the course why, with some real rock & roll sailing. Even to splitting the pair of them on a down wind, asking Tom Grimes to pass on the other side of a spectator boat parked on the course. A howl of protest of course, but the umpires ignored it and he managed to get the lead out of it. However it did come down to best of three with Tom taking the second race and causing Harrys parents on the shore line to pace up and down the river bank.
As to Nick Ergnot - Johnson and Will Boulden, Will took the first match and looked the goods in the second until his spinnaker assumed the wine-glass position at the top of the down wind and that was it. It took the hapless crew valuable time to shake out the twist in the kite and meanwhile Nick was sailing away. One each and Will never recovered from that, chasing Nick all the way around the track in the third.
Into the petit finals and Grimes got to play hard to get with Will, but not until the damage from a near miss with Price in the third race. We all heard the clunk and the gasps from the crowd. We assumed that there was only damage to Toms pride, but shortly afterwards the maintenance boat was called into the action and CEO Andy Fethers went up the mast again, this time right to the top to replace the wind direction arrow and the rod that opens up the backstay. Possibly the clash was a little tighter than was thought.
The petit final was mercifully over and done with quickly with a win for Tom Grimes and all attention diverted to the Harry Price and Nick Ergot- Johnson affair. No room for mistakes here and Nick put his very best foot forward, but Price was determined to succeed and this he did in three straight wins. Well done Harry Price and his crew and I will mention that this was the last time that we will see both Harry and Will as they are aging out, but Ethan Prieto- Low still has 4 or 5 years to go. I wish him well in his adventures. Perhaps we will see Johanna Bergqvist and her team as they really did make the water sizzle when they went past. To Tom, Aurelien, Emir, Marcello, Nick E-J, Matt, Conor and Jeffery.. there's always next year.
Many thanks to Swan River Sailing for the event and putting me on the water for Monday and Wednesday. My congratulations to the volunteers who again did a wonderful job on the water. As to the boats during the event and the Colin Mullins event prior. At least two decent prangs, a set of side stays to be replaced, Andy was up the mast twice that I saw and there were various moments where damage points were deducted.. So it can be assumed that it was a rough time for the boats. Not to mention ORPYC the RP start boat that retired with problems on the Monday, returned to action on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only to be taken out by the Great Britain entrant late in the piece on Thursday afternoon.
And finally to the sailors who gave us their best over the five days. Thanks guys and girls and I hope to see you next year. Where I'll be is still to be decided.
What a regatta!
If you're going to be wrong in the pick, its safe to say that Harry Price didn't make his mind up till Friday morning. He chose his sparring partner from Sydney, Tom Grimes and showed everyone on the course why, with some real rock & roll sailing. Even to splitting the pair of them on a down wind, asking Tom Grimes to pass on the other side of a spectator boat parked on the course. A howl of protest of course, but the umpires ignored it and he managed to get the lead out of it. However it did come down to best of three with Tom taking the second race and causing Harrys parents on the shore line to pace up and down the river bank.
As to Nick Ergnot - Johnson and Will Boulden, Will took the first match and looked the goods in the second until his spinnaker assumed the wine-glass position at the top of the down wind and that was it. It took the hapless crew valuable time to shake out the twist in the kite and meanwhile Nick was sailing away. One each and Will never recovered from that, chasing Nick all the way around the track in the third.
Into the petit finals and Grimes got to play hard to get with Will, but not until the damage from a near miss with Price in the third race. We all heard the clunk and the gasps from the crowd. We assumed that there was only damage to Toms pride, but shortly afterwards the maintenance boat was called into the action and CEO Andy Fethers went up the mast again, this time right to the top to replace the wind direction arrow and the rod that opens up the backstay. Possibly the clash was a little tighter than was thought.
The petit final was mercifully over and done with quickly with a win for Tom Grimes and all attention diverted to the Harry Price and Nick Ergot- Johnson affair. No room for mistakes here and Nick put his very best foot forward, but Price was determined to succeed and this he did in three straight wins. Well done Harry Price and his crew and I will mention that this was the last time that we will see both Harry and Will as they are aging out, but Ethan Prieto- Low still has 4 or 5 years to go. I wish him well in his adventures. Perhaps we will see Johanna Bergqvist and her team as they really did make the water sizzle when they went past. To Tom, Aurelien, Emir, Marcello, Nick E-J, Matt, Conor and Jeffery.. there's always next year.
Many thanks to Swan River Sailing for the event and putting me on the water for Monday and Wednesday. My congratulations to the volunteers who again did a wonderful job on the water. As to the boats during the event and the Colin Mullins event prior. At least two decent prangs, a set of side stays to be replaced, Andy was up the mast twice that I saw and there were various moments where damage points were deducted.. So it can be assumed that it was a rough time for the boats. Not to mention ORPYC the RP start boat that retired with problems on the Monday, returned to action on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only to be taken out by the Great Britain entrant late in the piece on Thursday afternoon.
And finally to the sailors who gave us their best over the five days. Thanks guys and girls and I hope to see you next year. Where I'll be is still to be decided.
What a regatta!
Crew Shots.
a note:
Due to the lack of breeze and other factors I was not able to get all the crew images. My apologies.
However I have endeavoured to replace the missing posed images with an on water shot fr0m the regatta.
And as ever, they are for sale. $ 20 each. Contact me at [email protected]
a note:
Due to the lack of breeze and other factors I was not able to get all the crew images. My apologies.
However I have endeavoured to replace the missing posed images with an on water shot fr0m the regatta.
And as ever, they are for sale. $ 20 each. Contact me at [email protected]
The Warren Jones 2020
Thursday the 30th of January
Four days of a decent breeze. Will wonders never cease?
Its been a below par year for things that happen to the boats and today was no exception. Apart from a boat managing to find the mud, someone losing the spinnaker halyard and flying his spinnaker on the jib halyard for the last dash down the track. Then a magnificent round up for the Danish skipper as he tried to take his opponent up and watched as the Brit outran him, got around the Dane and then left him to continue to round up. Great watching. A log jam at the top mark as two pairs made it to the top together and the Kiwi skipper really thought it through and drove all the way around them as they gingerly tiptoed their way at the mark. Those around me watching were amazed that there were no penalties out of the rounding, but I'm not an umpire and if they say it was fine, so be it.
And then to add pain to the end of the day, a ding in the start boat. A battle down to the finish line had a skipper make severe contact with ORPYC and the thump could be heard hundreds of yards away. We couldn't see it, but a call to a local skipper last night confirmed it. It's really not been a good day for some of the skippers.
And the round robins are finished with a local man making his way through with a tied placing for fourth and presumably a better set of figures that boosted him over the line. We have Harry Price and Tom Grimes from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Nick Egnot-Johnson from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Club and Will Boulden from the host club, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. Its pretty safe to guess that Harry will take on Will and Tom gets to play with Nick. The Semis are a best of three and with a good breeze forecast its going to be fun.
Photos from the sidelines for Thursday and Friday..... enjoy.
Its been a below par year for things that happen to the boats and today was no exception. Apart from a boat managing to find the mud, someone losing the spinnaker halyard and flying his spinnaker on the jib halyard for the last dash down the track. Then a magnificent round up for the Danish skipper as he tried to take his opponent up and watched as the Brit outran him, got around the Dane and then left him to continue to round up. Great watching. A log jam at the top mark as two pairs made it to the top together and the Kiwi skipper really thought it through and drove all the way around them as they gingerly tiptoed their way at the mark. Those around me watching were amazed that there were no penalties out of the rounding, but I'm not an umpire and if they say it was fine, so be it.
And then to add pain to the end of the day, a ding in the start boat. A battle down to the finish line had a skipper make severe contact with ORPYC and the thump could be heard hundreds of yards away. We couldn't see it, but a call to a local skipper last night confirmed it. It's really not been a good day for some of the skippers.
And the round robins are finished with a local man making his way through with a tied placing for fourth and presumably a better set of figures that boosted him over the line. We have Harry Price and Tom Grimes from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Nick Egnot-Johnson from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Club and Will Boulden from the host club, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. Its pretty safe to guess that Harry will take on Will and Tom gets to play with Nick. The Semis are a best of three and with a good breeze forecast its going to be fun.
Photos from the sidelines for Thursday and Friday..... enjoy.
The Warren Jones 2020
Wednesday the 29th of January
Once again a breeze came in and while there was enough, it was of the wandering westerly variety.
While RO Kim got the course underway I was dropped off on the media boat and met up with an old compatriot Skid Robins. He was driving the media rib that I was to share with Drew the video camera man and we quickly came to an agreement as to when, what and how. In the process I had a look at the back room of his set up and was impressed by the youngsters slaving over his video output. A good way to not have to do the processing yourself.
Back onto the water and with the wind deciding to switch hit, Skid and I went out to get as many of the crew shots as we could and successfully rounded up all eight boats on the water, but we had a problem in that while the boats were lying idle - no sailing and no crew transfers were happening. So I left with only eight, not all twelve.
Things began to happen and a breeze was found with the RO putting 3 marks up at the top. This gave him the ability to switch the course angles around dependant on the breeze, but of course left him open to a sudden change of wind direction that would make a mockery of his last choice. Oh well, he is the RO and has broad shoulders.
A quick plunge for one of the Bergqvist crew when she found a way to fall off the foredeck. No harm done and all she had was a dip in the river and to be hauled out by a pair of umpires with her team suffering a loss for the match.
At present things look grim for the local teams with all of them falling into the bottom percentile. The Kiwi visitor (Nick Egnot -Johnson) looks strong and the CYCA teams (Price and Grimes) are pushing well into the top of the ladder. The question may be, whose on the fourth spot? Petersen of the USA is a good bet, but there is a chance for Great Britain's Whitfield if he improves on the second round robin.
Enjoy the photographs from Wednesday.
While RO Kim got the course underway I was dropped off on the media boat and met up with an old compatriot Skid Robins. He was driving the media rib that I was to share with Drew the video camera man and we quickly came to an agreement as to when, what and how. In the process I had a look at the back room of his set up and was impressed by the youngsters slaving over his video output. A good way to not have to do the processing yourself.
Back onto the water and with the wind deciding to switch hit, Skid and I went out to get as many of the crew shots as we could and successfully rounded up all eight boats on the water, but we had a problem in that while the boats were lying idle - no sailing and no crew transfers were happening. So I left with only eight, not all twelve.
Things began to happen and a breeze was found with the RO putting 3 marks up at the top. This gave him the ability to switch the course angles around dependant on the breeze, but of course left him open to a sudden change of wind direction that would make a mockery of his last choice. Oh well, he is the RO and has broad shoulders.
A quick plunge for one of the Bergqvist crew when she found a way to fall off the foredeck. No harm done and all she had was a dip in the river and to be hauled out by a pair of umpires with her team suffering a loss for the match.
At present things look grim for the local teams with all of them falling into the bottom percentile. The Kiwi visitor (Nick Egnot -Johnson) looks strong and the CYCA teams (Price and Grimes) are pushing well into the top of the ladder. The question may be, whose on the fourth spot? Petersen of the USA is a good bet, but there is a chance for Great Britain's Whitfield if he improves on the second round robin.
Enjoy the photographs from Wednesday.
The Warren Jones 2020
Tuesday the 28th of January
Have you ever had faith in the seabreeze? Only between October and December normally.. well two days in a row and there is the chance that the breeze may hold in for another two or three days. ORPYC is back and now the game plan was working well.
I'd chosen to take a view on the side and taking a very large lens and a tripod, I was able to walk in and make my way down to the start line and watch the start sequences. The skippers didn't upset me and spent some quality time working each other over, trying to get that elusive penalty on the other boat prior to the start. Some great sequences and the outcomes are there for all to see. Red flags, yellows, blues all being waved in abundance on the day. No one admitted hitting each other, though there was the clear possibility early in the sequences of someone doing it. But only a suggestion after all as the umpires weren't prepared to worry about it.
I was packing up for the move up the river bank when I heard two young lady joggers stop and watch the sailing. " look at all those boats.. they're all guys (sic) and what're they doing ? Battling each other? "
I had to advise them that there were females amongst the sailors and indeed a women's team, but the girls weren't interested in that. Just the male crew.
Moving up to the team beach area and chatting to one of Wills crew, he admitted to being on the last gasp of the age bracket but he was on the end of his masters degree and would be happy to relinquish working in the hospitality industry once the degree came through. Some more good photographic chances and after a while the thought that the top of the course might be better so away I went to the top and for once I could look down the course with the city shots available to me. Excellent, and then I was lucky enough to catch the Whitfield -Pierroz sequence and a bunch of flags.
Walk out to the car, parked a long way off and get back home.
Enjoy the pix. See you tomorrow.
The Warren Jones 2020
Monday the 27th of January
Monday the 27th of January
Nothing ever goes to plan and despite the best practise work by Royal Perth and their fabulous match racing start boat, PRO Kim Lawrence was literally left stranded as ORPYC (the start boat) decided to pack it in right from the get go and there was no choice but to return to the old format with the smaller RFBYC start boat being immediately available as two staff members from Freshie had come down to support the RFBYC teams.
A quick changeover and by 1330 the racing was underway with the scheduled kick off of Prieto -Low and Boulden being the curtain raiser for the event. Mind you they had had three goes at it and Ethan P-L had done well for the first two starts. Then with the flag raisers in sequence, the afternoon began to roll on and a decent seabreeze only made it that more pleasurable.
As I was on the crew changeover boat, I had Royal Freshies John Low driving and a couple of other fellows for company and it was a pleasurable afternoon as the new teams began to show their presence on the water and also discovered the limits of the boundaries with Emil Kjar finding the Gilmour hump in Perth Waters (Formerly known as Ben Ainslie's hump until the Gilmour boys made it their own). He managed to quickly sail off and the boundaries were re adjusted to keep others away.
The sailing went deep into the evening with 8 flights finished and only one team (Harry Price) holding 100%. But then again, he'd only sailed 4 matches and others sailed 8. So its still wide open and the new folk are finding their way around Perth Waters.
My thanks to Andy and Georgia of Swan River Sailing and to the assembled team of volunteers that have put together such a well organised crew.
Enjoy the photos and there are more to come.
A warning .... I'll be going for crewshots on Wednesday .. skippers please be kind to me.
A quick changeover and by 1330 the racing was underway with the scheduled kick off of Prieto -Low and Boulden being the curtain raiser for the event. Mind you they had had three goes at it and Ethan P-L had done well for the first two starts. Then with the flag raisers in sequence, the afternoon began to roll on and a decent seabreeze only made it that more pleasurable.
As I was on the crew changeover boat, I had Royal Freshies John Low driving and a couple of other fellows for company and it was a pleasurable afternoon as the new teams began to show their presence on the water and also discovered the limits of the boundaries with Emil Kjar finding the Gilmour hump in Perth Waters (Formerly known as Ben Ainslie's hump until the Gilmour boys made it their own). He managed to quickly sail off and the boundaries were re adjusted to keep others away.
The sailing went deep into the evening with 8 flights finished and only one team (Harry Price) holding 100%. But then again, he'd only sailed 4 matches and others sailed 8. So its still wide open and the new folk are finding their way around Perth Waters.
My thanks to Andy and Georgia of Swan River Sailing and to the assembled team of volunteers that have put together such a well organised crew.
Enjoy the photos and there are more to come.
A warning .... I'll be going for crewshots on Wednesday .. skippers please be kind to me.
The Warren Jones
International Youth Regatta 2019
Incorporated in the City of Perth Festival of Sail
The incorporation of the City of Perth Festival of Sail has meant that there is a great deal of interest by the sailors who have offices in the city and apparently the premier offices overlook Perth Waters. Not much work gets done during the racing or so I'm told.
Will Boulden RFBYC and Harry Price CYCA return to continue their stoush from last year and I'm sure that Will would like to level the series up. Just depends on who he has on his team this year, but RFBYC will supply him with a good team I'm sure. Two great all girl teams grace us this year with Clare Costanzo from RPAY returning and a Swedish team headed by Johanna Bergqvist from Gothenburg Royal Yacht Club coming over with very good form.
The Dutchman Jelmer van Beek is back again with the Dutch Wave team and another newcomer; Aurelier Pierroz from the Societe des regate du Havre joins us to create havoc amongst the teams. Tom Grimes from CYCA and Nick Egnot-Johnson of RNZYS fill out the hard riders in this star studded cast with young Marcello Torre of RFBYC having a second stab at the racing with the help of a wild card. Ethan Prieto-Low of RFBYC has been confirmed as another local player and American Charlie Welsh is coming aboard from the American east coast and the Newport Harbour Yacht Club.
Conor Nicholas ( SoPYC )got up through the Colin Mullins regatta on Friday and took the last spot available. Did it in style as well. Six teams with a big international showing hit the water and Conor was second behind the flying Dutchman, Jelmer van Beek with everyone left in his wake bar Jelmer.
Please be patient as it takes time to get images up. This is not social media!
Will Boulden RFBYC and Harry Price CYCA return to continue their stoush from last year and I'm sure that Will would like to level the series up. Just depends on who he has on his team this year, but RFBYC will supply him with a good team I'm sure. Two great all girl teams grace us this year with Clare Costanzo from RPAY returning and a Swedish team headed by Johanna Bergqvist from Gothenburg Royal Yacht Club coming over with very good form.
The Dutchman Jelmer van Beek is back again with the Dutch Wave team and another newcomer; Aurelier Pierroz from the Societe des regate du Havre joins us to create havoc amongst the teams. Tom Grimes from CYCA and Nick Egnot-Johnson of RNZYS fill out the hard riders in this star studded cast with young Marcello Torre of RFBYC having a second stab at the racing with the help of a wild card. Ethan Prieto-Low of RFBYC has been confirmed as another local player and American Charlie Welsh is coming aboard from the American east coast and the Newport Harbour Yacht Club.
Conor Nicholas ( SoPYC )got up through the Colin Mullins regatta on Friday and took the last spot available. Did it in style as well. Six teams with a big international showing hit the water and Conor was second behind the flying Dutchman, Jelmer van Beek with everyone left in his wake bar Jelmer.
Please be patient as it takes time to get images up. This is not social media!
The 2019 Warren Jones
International Youth Regatta
Incorporated in the City of Perth Festival of Sail
The day began with the sun beating down on the city and Perth Waters was not exempt. It was hot and the new cover up masks are all the rage.
The international visitors have put up a strong showing and we now have two all female teams on the water with at least two mixed teams in play as well. It would be great if this concept works its way through to the West. However from what I hear it'll happen, just not sure when! However the Royal Perth YC got the racing under way as soon as they could with a certain amount of time spent waiting for the breeze to settle, but settle it did and it worked its way up to a very comfortable 14 knots out of the sou west on Perth Waters.
Perth media has apparently discovered the sailing at last and event organiser Andy Fethers has been busy working the mob over the last day or so and we had visiting media groups on the camera boat for most of the day. Meanwhile our local sailing radio voices Ed, Tony and Les have been warbling away with a steady stream of visitors joining the media boat.
No ones perfect and while the practise day was spent hauling boats off the mud, everyone seemed to have found out where the edges of the mud are and while I was there no-one hit the banks. But one or two boats managed to bump into each other in the pre starts and we watched as Will managed to tap Clare amidships with much flag waving going on. The umpires weren't impressed and penalized both boats, effectively saying we saw it, you're both to blame … lift your game.
Ten flights were completed and at this stage the top four are Jelmer van Beek, Nick Egnot-Johnson, Tom Grimes and Harry Price. Guess what … none of them are from WA, but its early days yet and there is every chance that the locals will be able to pick their games up.
I'll be next back on the water on Wednesday and I'll have a good idea of what's happened in the interim.
Enjoy the photos.
The international visitors have put up a strong showing and we now have two all female teams on the water with at least two mixed teams in play as well. It would be great if this concept works its way through to the West. However from what I hear it'll happen, just not sure when! However the Royal Perth YC got the racing under way as soon as they could with a certain amount of time spent waiting for the breeze to settle, but settle it did and it worked its way up to a very comfortable 14 knots out of the sou west on Perth Waters.
Perth media has apparently discovered the sailing at last and event organiser Andy Fethers has been busy working the mob over the last day or so and we had visiting media groups on the camera boat for most of the day. Meanwhile our local sailing radio voices Ed, Tony and Les have been warbling away with a steady stream of visitors joining the media boat.
No ones perfect and while the practise day was spent hauling boats off the mud, everyone seemed to have found out where the edges of the mud are and while I was there no-one hit the banks. But one or two boats managed to bump into each other in the pre starts and we watched as Will managed to tap Clare amidships with much flag waving going on. The umpires weren't impressed and penalized both boats, effectively saying we saw it, you're both to blame … lift your game.
Ten flights were completed and at this stage the top four are Jelmer van Beek, Nick Egnot-Johnson, Tom Grimes and Harry Price. Guess what … none of them are from WA, but its early days yet and there is every chance that the locals will be able to pick their games up.
I'll be next back on the water on Wednesday and I'll have a good idea of what's happened in the interim.
Enjoy the photos.
Tuesday the 29th of January
at the 2019 Warren Jones
Ok, I changed my mind. But rather than run around on a rhib for the day getting more sun burn, this time I went to Kings Park with a long lens. Still a very long way off I discovered and easily 1.5 to 2 k away. So the closeups just didn't happen. But as I arrived I heard on the marine radio a call from the skipper of the Captain Cook ( The radio was on as I was monitoring the racing ).
His behaviour was most unusual and he was extremely belligerent in his action toward the regatta, both the boats and the organisers. He threatened to report the regatta and the organisers if one of the yachts got in the way. As can be expected, the event organisers were more than happy to expedite his way through the regatta as would normally happen and I would have thought of this as nothing more than a fellow having had a bad day. However it happened last year and with I presume the same skipper. It hasn't happened with all the boats, just this one. Its a pity that all the international and interstate sailors get to hear this one skipper adopting this manner as this regatta only occurs once a year and has the full support of the City of Perth. Certainly he has his rights and the event organisers try to put this into the heads of the sailing skippers. But accidents do happen and apparently this skipper had an experience last Sunday. Oh well.. no ones perfect.
And while I'm at it... gee I'd like to sit on the side of the river and watch the sailing, but I have to walk 3 kms in to sit on the river bank. Accessible, I don't think so, particularly when I've got to hump in cameras and long lens as well.
However the racing was great and I note that the first round robin has been completed and the board has balanced out a bit better. They are at present working their way into the second round robin and the cream is starting to rise to the surface. Wednesday will be moving day and with three good days of seabreeze, the sailing may even finish a little early tomorrow. Wait and see.
at the 2019 Warren Jones
Ok, I changed my mind. But rather than run around on a rhib for the day getting more sun burn, this time I went to Kings Park with a long lens. Still a very long way off I discovered and easily 1.5 to 2 k away. So the closeups just didn't happen. But as I arrived I heard on the marine radio a call from the skipper of the Captain Cook ( The radio was on as I was monitoring the racing ).
His behaviour was most unusual and he was extremely belligerent in his action toward the regatta, both the boats and the organisers. He threatened to report the regatta and the organisers if one of the yachts got in the way. As can be expected, the event organisers were more than happy to expedite his way through the regatta as would normally happen and I would have thought of this as nothing more than a fellow having had a bad day. However it happened last year and with I presume the same skipper. It hasn't happened with all the boats, just this one. Its a pity that all the international and interstate sailors get to hear this one skipper adopting this manner as this regatta only occurs once a year and has the full support of the City of Perth. Certainly he has his rights and the event organisers try to put this into the heads of the sailing skippers. But accidents do happen and apparently this skipper had an experience last Sunday. Oh well.. no ones perfect.
And while I'm at it... gee I'd like to sit on the side of the river and watch the sailing, but I have to walk 3 kms in to sit on the river bank. Accessible, I don't think so, particularly when I've got to hump in cameras and long lens as well.
However the racing was great and I note that the first round robin has been completed and the board has balanced out a bit better. They are at present working their way into the second round robin and the cream is starting to rise to the surface. Wednesday will be moving day and with three good days of seabreeze, the sailing may even finish a little early tomorrow. Wait and see.
Wednesday the 29th of January
at the 2019 Warren Jones
When I arrived at 1130 the only sight I saw was an empty river and no action at all. A quick call had me aware that an AP had been hoisted and we were all sitting on our fingers until then. So we waited. I was picked up around midday and by 1300 hrs they had the teams in place, the start boat fired up and the last of the boats being given a fix before they were let loose onto the river.
12 to 14 knots on the water out of the sou west and every one was happy, not enough breeze to break things, (though one of the local boys was trying to do so anyway) and the battles were renewed from yesterday. All at a friendly level I hasten to add, but deadly earnest nonetheless. Of note was a superb effort from Harry Price and crew. Didn't miss a trick today and racked up 8 wins on the day. But below him are no less than 5 teams all on five wins and the next three flights will sort them out to the detriment of some.
Best trick of the day was the spinnaker loss by American Charles Welsh. Clearly didn't tape up his clip. And then the effort they put in to get the halyard back. Up went a member of the team and down she came with it firmly in her grasp. Other than that, we had a great time hanging around the startline where the pre starts were boiling. Even had some boats practising sailing backwards and the dial ups were almost tame by comparison to the hard work of the rotations that test the crew and the sheet hand most of all.
Many thanks to Mark Fitzhardinge who drives the crew transfer rib and drove me around the track today. A most amenable man and was good at getting me into interesting spots. Our collective apology to Will for nearly getting in his road today, but as another person well versed in match racing stated.
"You're not doing your job if you don't get at least one complaint during the regatta."
The crew photos were finished today and will be put up shortly.
Yes they are available for sale. Contact me at [email protected]. Hi res E files $20 each and 3 for $50
At the moment, billing is by invoice and in AUD only.
Enjoy the photos and I'll be back on Friday for the finals.
The crew shots.
Yes they're available for sale.
Contact me at [email protected] and buy these and other images from the regatta.
$20 each and 3 for $50 hi res e files only.
Yes they're available for sale.
Contact me at [email protected] and buy these and other images from the regatta.
$20 each and 3 for $50 hi res e files only.
Friday the 1st of February
at the Warren Jones
The sun was still blaring down on the river when I arrived, but after yesterday and the lack of a breeze until finally the sea breeze came in, it was a pleasure to be on Perth Waters.
The seabreeze was in, the boats were ready and the crews were crawling all over them setting up their gear. We only had four left now.. Understandably Harry Price and his crew of kiwis were in, Will Boulden had made it through comfortably as had Nick Ergot- Johnson. Jelmer van Beck had had a squeaky finish, but Tom Grimes wasn't able to score enough in the last three races of Thursday. Jelmer was in.
Predictably Harry chose Jelmer leaving Will to face Nick. To shorten up the story Jelmer sailed with his head and took advantage of the shifts. Losing the first race didn't phase him, he simply turned the second race into a winner and proceeded to do it again to Harry in the third race. Almost the same pattern.. up the middle and using the gusts that came down the centre of the track. Then conservative sailing that didn't get him into trouble with impeccable crew work that made every tack and gybe clean and simple.
I wish I could offer the same to the other pair; both had technical problems with Will breaking a pawel in the LH cabin top winch as well as the snap clasp on the spinnaker halyard in the finals. The winch might not have cost him too much, but a down wind chase without a spinnaker just doesn't happen. Nick E-J had his problems as well. An over ride cost him big time as he had the lead until it happened. Dropping the genoa cost him height and time and once the recalcitrant sheet was loosened, Will was already storming into the lead. Then another hang up in the next race with the port side genoa sheet hooking onto the cabin top winch and having to be taken off by hand easing the genoa to do so.
The finals had Jelmer and Will in place and Harry and Nick in the petit finals.
Harry made no mistakes and took the two races required to move into third place . The battle between Will and Jelmer was over almost as fast with Jelmer whitewashing Will and his RFBYC team 3-0. Simply sensible sailing with a minimum of mistakes. From Wills point of view, losing your spinnaker at a critical moment in a down wind run doesn't help, but what does a roll of tape cost?
Jelmer and crew ignored the swan river bull sharks and jumped into the water, well the fore deck did and before long Jelmer was picked up and dropped in as well. A fitting finish to a long hot day.
My thanks to Georgia and Andy of Swan River Sailing for getting me onto the water for the event. To Mike Taylor who was (as usual) magnificent. To my various drivers ending with Hoodie on the big rib for the first half of the day and finishing with Keith Swinton and Andy Fethers who turned the UWA rib into a media boat for the afternoon. To all the volunteers and officials well done, but thanks go to the young sailors both male and female who made this week such a fantastic event. Where would we be without them?
at the Warren Jones
The sun was still blaring down on the river when I arrived, but after yesterday and the lack of a breeze until finally the sea breeze came in, it was a pleasure to be on Perth Waters.
The seabreeze was in, the boats were ready and the crews were crawling all over them setting up their gear. We only had four left now.. Understandably Harry Price and his crew of kiwis were in, Will Boulden had made it through comfortably as had Nick Ergot- Johnson. Jelmer van Beck had had a squeaky finish, but Tom Grimes wasn't able to score enough in the last three races of Thursday. Jelmer was in.
Predictably Harry chose Jelmer leaving Will to face Nick. To shorten up the story Jelmer sailed with his head and took advantage of the shifts. Losing the first race didn't phase him, he simply turned the second race into a winner and proceeded to do it again to Harry in the third race. Almost the same pattern.. up the middle and using the gusts that came down the centre of the track. Then conservative sailing that didn't get him into trouble with impeccable crew work that made every tack and gybe clean and simple.
I wish I could offer the same to the other pair; both had technical problems with Will breaking a pawel in the LH cabin top winch as well as the snap clasp on the spinnaker halyard in the finals. The winch might not have cost him too much, but a down wind chase without a spinnaker just doesn't happen. Nick E-J had his problems as well. An over ride cost him big time as he had the lead until it happened. Dropping the genoa cost him height and time and once the recalcitrant sheet was loosened, Will was already storming into the lead. Then another hang up in the next race with the port side genoa sheet hooking onto the cabin top winch and having to be taken off by hand easing the genoa to do so.
The finals had Jelmer and Will in place and Harry and Nick in the petit finals.
Harry made no mistakes and took the two races required to move into third place . The battle between Will and Jelmer was over almost as fast with Jelmer whitewashing Will and his RFBYC team 3-0. Simply sensible sailing with a minimum of mistakes. From Wills point of view, losing your spinnaker at a critical moment in a down wind run doesn't help, but what does a roll of tape cost?
Jelmer and crew ignored the swan river bull sharks and jumped into the water, well the fore deck did and before long Jelmer was picked up and dropped in as well. A fitting finish to a long hot day.
My thanks to Georgia and Andy of Swan River Sailing for getting me onto the water for the event. To Mike Taylor who was (as usual) magnificent. To my various drivers ending with Hoodie on the big rib for the first half of the day and finishing with Keith Swinton and Andy Fethers who turned the UWA rib into a media boat for the afternoon. To all the volunteers and officials well done, but thanks go to the young sailors both male and female who made this week such a fantastic event. Where would we be without them?
The Presentations
The Warren Jones
International Youth Regatta 2018
Incorporated in the City of Perth Festival of Sail
Once again the regatta is on the go on Perth Waters and the teams that we have this year reflect the coming of age of the Gilmour Gang. For the first time in a long time I can't use the name Gilmour in my SEO.
However we have a great number of returnees from last year with George Anyon (RNZYC) and Harry Price (CYCA)returning as are Will Boulden and Ethan Prieto-Low of RFBYC. Conor Nicholas of SoPYC ran with a different team last year and sailed with Sam G the year before. This year he's got his own team. Similarly Mark Spearman of RFBYC who has driven and crewed over the last few years has stepped up following Sam Gilmour's decision to follow his muse this year. Some of the next group have done a WJ before, but are now driving.
Welcome to Jelmer van Beek (Team Dutch Wave) ranking 25 and his hot team in Europe, winning the Dutch and German Nationals. To Clare Costanzo from Sydney (RPAYC), who was here last year as tactician/floater on Will Dargavilles boat and leads Wills old team this year. James Hodgeson from CYCA was here last year with the Mooloolaba mob and is back to drive a boat. James Wilson and Nick Egnot-Johnson from NZ (RNZYS) have crossed the ditch to keep the faith with George Anyon from the same club. They will certainly keep the pressure on our youngsters. Finally Marcello Torres of RFBYC took advantage of the wild card offered through the JESS match racing last week and we will see him strutting his stuff.
As before, I will report on each day and look forward to the event.
However we have a great number of returnees from last year with George Anyon (RNZYC) and Harry Price (CYCA)returning as are Will Boulden and Ethan Prieto-Low of RFBYC. Conor Nicholas of SoPYC ran with a different team last year and sailed with Sam G the year before. This year he's got his own team. Similarly Mark Spearman of RFBYC who has driven and crewed over the last few years has stepped up following Sam Gilmour's decision to follow his muse this year. Some of the next group have done a WJ before, but are now driving.
Welcome to Jelmer van Beek (Team Dutch Wave) ranking 25 and his hot team in Europe, winning the Dutch and German Nationals. To Clare Costanzo from Sydney (RPAYC), who was here last year as tactician/floater on Will Dargavilles boat and leads Wills old team this year. James Hodgeson from CYCA was here last year with the Mooloolaba mob and is back to drive a boat. James Wilson and Nick Egnot-Johnson from NZ (RNZYS) have crossed the ditch to keep the faith with George Anyon from the same club. They will certainly keep the pressure on our youngsters. Finally Marcello Torres of RFBYC took advantage of the wild card offered through the JESS match racing last week and we will see him strutting his stuff.
As before, I will report on each day and look forward to the event.
Friday the 2nd of February
The Semis and Finals
True to the rumours that flowed around, with 2 round robins under their belt, the organization swung straight into the semis with a best of three and then the finals again a best of three.
The start of the day was in a fluctuating easterly that must have driven the RO Kim almost raving. Up, down, left , right..... and those were just the hand signals. But we managed to get the first two flights away and very quickly Harry Price managed to put George Anyon away and at the same time Mark Spearman realised that Will Boulden was going to be too much of a handful with his ability to get away quickly and his luck in picking the right side to go on. Winning moves indeed. By the end of the second round both Harry and Will had picked up the two wins required and just as they did so, the breeze switched abruptly.
A sou westerly was in; the course was re laid with the usual amount of fuss as the spectator boats had to move to accommodate the new direction. By this time, the sailing contingent on the Prieto-Low boat was becoming a little noisy and the boat developed a decided lean occasionally as they all rushed to one side or the other to follow the racing. No matter, I think we had enough safety boats on the water.
Camera men on the back of the boats, a snapper on the water and a drone in the sky. The media was there in full force. ! !
Unfortunately it was short and sweet again, Spearman rocked through the petit finals in two races and at the same time Price took Boulden to the cleaners leaving him behind both times. But I took a certain pleasure with it. Will Boulden is still improving and he'd worked hard to get to this point. He'd even lost a crew member at the last minute and had the luck to pick up Will Drew from the Jess Match racing.
I think that Will B. has a good chance to improve his moves and providing he can keep Alpha Racing together he'll have a good time in the next few years.
My thanks to the crew at Swan River Sailing with Andy and Georgia doing a lot of the hard yards. To Mike and Pete who were the maintenance gurus. Thanks also to Dave and Graham who drove for me on water for the regatta. To all the volunteers, where would the racing be without you and to the other half of the equation 0-0 the sailors. Hope you enjoyed the week with us.
Oh, spare a thought for the teams from Sydney. I had a chat to them after the racing and they flew out last night on the midnight horror. They were due on the water on Saturday for another regatta.
The Semis and Finals
True to the rumours that flowed around, with 2 round robins under their belt, the organization swung straight into the semis with a best of three and then the finals again a best of three.
The start of the day was in a fluctuating easterly that must have driven the RO Kim almost raving. Up, down, left , right..... and those were just the hand signals. But we managed to get the first two flights away and very quickly Harry Price managed to put George Anyon away and at the same time Mark Spearman realised that Will Boulden was going to be too much of a handful with his ability to get away quickly and his luck in picking the right side to go on. Winning moves indeed. By the end of the second round both Harry and Will had picked up the two wins required and just as they did so, the breeze switched abruptly.
A sou westerly was in; the course was re laid with the usual amount of fuss as the spectator boats had to move to accommodate the new direction. By this time, the sailing contingent on the Prieto-Low boat was becoming a little noisy and the boat developed a decided lean occasionally as they all rushed to one side or the other to follow the racing. No matter, I think we had enough safety boats on the water.
Camera men on the back of the boats, a snapper on the water and a drone in the sky. The media was there in full force. ! !
Unfortunately it was short and sweet again, Spearman rocked through the petit finals in two races and at the same time Price took Boulden to the cleaners leaving him behind both times. But I took a certain pleasure with it. Will Boulden is still improving and he'd worked hard to get to this point. He'd even lost a crew member at the last minute and had the luck to pick up Will Drew from the Jess Match racing.
I think that Will B. has a good chance to improve his moves and providing he can keep Alpha Racing together he'll have a good time in the next few years.
My thanks to the crew at Swan River Sailing with Andy and Georgia doing a lot of the hard yards. To Mike and Pete who were the maintenance gurus. Thanks also to Dave and Graham who drove for me on water for the regatta. To all the volunteers, where would the racing be without you and to the other half of the equation 0-0 the sailors. Hope you enjoyed the week with us.
Oh, spare a thought for the teams from Sydney. I had a chat to them after the racing and they flew out last night on the midnight horror. They were due on the water on Saturday for another regatta.
Presentations
Crew Photo's
Thursday the 1st of February
A day of two breezes. We started with the breeze we've had all week, an easterly and the boys on the top mark were kept busy as the gusts came and went. So were the start team as they rang the changes and occasionally had to abandon a race as the breeze just wasn't there or something else happened. During a down time, I noted an intrepid young sailor attempting to swing off the boom and followed the results as he lurched out over the water. Didn't fall in. Oh well.. next time. Surprise of the day! Marcello got in front of Price and stayed there. Well done giant killer.
The breeze suddenly felt cool and a glance at the big flag on the shore below Kings Park confirmed it. Then the call came in from the bottom mark. We've got a sea breeze! 15 minutes later we were looking at a race track almost 1 and a half times as long. Plenty of room too as the track was designed for this breeze. All of a sudden I had great spinnaker shots and even more fun at the top and bottom as the light was low enough to light up the faces and sails. Different.
There is a rumour that we may go to directly to the semis and use a little more time during the afternoon for the semis. but I haven't heard officially so treat it as such. But both Round Robins have been completed and that's more than enough to call a result.
Finally, as we left to begin racing, I was on board Challenger with a few teams and watched with fascination as Swifto spun a Rubik's cube to produce either one side of colours or the lot. I'm not sure which, but it took him about 55 seconds. Fast.
Enjoy the images and I'll have the crew shots up on Friday. Fridays images will not go up till Saturday.
A day of two breezes. We started with the breeze we've had all week, an easterly and the boys on the top mark were kept busy as the gusts came and went. So were the start team as they rang the changes and occasionally had to abandon a race as the breeze just wasn't there or something else happened. During a down time, I noted an intrepid young sailor attempting to swing off the boom and followed the results as he lurched out over the water. Didn't fall in. Oh well.. next time. Surprise of the day! Marcello got in front of Price and stayed there. Well done giant killer.
The breeze suddenly felt cool and a glance at the big flag on the shore below Kings Park confirmed it. Then the call came in from the bottom mark. We've got a sea breeze! 15 minutes later we were looking at a race track almost 1 and a half times as long. Plenty of room too as the track was designed for this breeze. All of a sudden I had great spinnaker shots and even more fun at the top and bottom as the light was low enough to light up the faces and sails. Different.
There is a rumour that we may go to directly to the semis and use a little more time during the afternoon for the semis. but I haven't heard officially so treat it as such. But both Round Robins have been completed and that's more than enough to call a result.
Finally, as we left to begin racing, I was on board Challenger with a few teams and watched with fascination as Swifto spun a Rubik's cube to produce either one side of colours or the lot. I'm not sure which, but it took him about 55 seconds. Fast.
Enjoy the images and I'll have the crew shots up on Friday. Fridays images will not go up till Saturday.
Wednesday the 31st of January
It's dark outside and the eclipsible/blue/super/moon is in the night sky. Pity, I haven't seen it yet. I'm stuck in front of this key pad. But the easterlies have dropped away and may be they won't be as bad again on Thursday. We might even get a sea breeze.
Today was a shining example of the teams settling into the groove. Everyone here on time and the boats whipping the teams onto the water ready for a quick start. An easterly was in evidence with a southerly flick and our RO was happy with that, only deploying the alternative marks when necessary. Mind you when the breeze dropped out, we thought we were gone, but back it came and the gusts were the tools a good helm and his team could use. Down the left and the right and they could take you from zero to hero in a flash. Then in the mid afternoon, the seabreeze came in. Not for long... about 15 minutes worth... just enough time to set the new course and then then have to reset it again. By 5.15 we were almost ready to pack up, but the RO had other ideas and fired off the next round lickety-split. Fair enough and he got that extra one or two in before the change over to the corporate gig.
To all those on the grassy banks below Kings Park who had to shift their cars, we're sorry. It was a great way to enjoy the event and the rangers just didn't want to fit into the spirit of the day. Hi ho.
I'll look forward to tomorrow. Sorting day!
It's dark outside and the eclipsible/blue/super/moon is in the night sky. Pity, I haven't seen it yet. I'm stuck in front of this key pad. But the easterlies have dropped away and may be they won't be as bad again on Thursday. We might even get a sea breeze.
Today was a shining example of the teams settling into the groove. Everyone here on time and the boats whipping the teams onto the water ready for a quick start. An easterly was in evidence with a southerly flick and our RO was happy with that, only deploying the alternative marks when necessary. Mind you when the breeze dropped out, we thought we were gone, but back it came and the gusts were the tools a good helm and his team could use. Down the left and the right and they could take you from zero to hero in a flash. Then in the mid afternoon, the seabreeze came in. Not for long... about 15 minutes worth... just enough time to set the new course and then then have to reset it again. By 5.15 we were almost ready to pack up, but the RO had other ideas and fired off the next round lickety-split. Fair enough and he got that extra one or two in before the change over to the corporate gig.
To all those on the grassy banks below Kings Park who had to shift their cars, we're sorry. It was a great way to enjoy the event and the rangers just didn't want to fit into the spirit of the day. Hi ho.
I'll look forward to tomorrow. Sorting day!
Tuesday the 30th of January
The Easterlies don't look as though they're going to go away, with a solid breeze sweeping down from the escarpment and the cream is starting to come to the top in the racing.
Swan River Sailing had a great morning with the Women on Water event and eight boats full of women went out for a yacht with qualified and in some cases, very experienced skippers and crew. Every one had a ball and the chance for a coffee/tea and a few nibbles as well for afters. The Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi was kind enough to address the assembled guests and gave them some encouraging remarks before they headed out onto the water and we had the pleasure of hearing from a couple of the younger female sailing stars as to their motivation and success. All in all a great morning to go sailing.
The Warren Jones started the day with some exploratory hump finding with a couple of boats locating mud next to the changeover boat and a couple more discovering a small rise in the river floor level near the start line. And then the tide came in. The airport was busy today and the jets were coming up the river into the easterly on a regular basis with one coming in so low I could see the Qantas sigil on the engine cowling. At the same time we had the helitank choppers drowning the fire in Kings Park next to the river.
The first round robin has been sailed and there's not much room at the top with Will Boulden at 10-1, Harry Price on 8.5-2 and Jelmer van Beek with 8-3. Even Mark Spearman at 7-4 could do it now as the boys are only getting better. One thing I have noticed is that on the bear away sets, the West Australians are generally quick off the mark.
Tomorrow is the start of round robin two and I hope we can get most of the round away on the day.
Crew photo's on Wednesday. Make sure you've got clean gear on.
The images are up and as ever they are for sale.
The Easterlies don't look as though they're going to go away, with a solid breeze sweeping down from the escarpment and the cream is starting to come to the top in the racing.
Swan River Sailing had a great morning with the Women on Water event and eight boats full of women went out for a yacht with qualified and in some cases, very experienced skippers and crew. Every one had a ball and the chance for a coffee/tea and a few nibbles as well for afters. The Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi was kind enough to address the assembled guests and gave them some encouraging remarks before they headed out onto the water and we had the pleasure of hearing from a couple of the younger female sailing stars as to their motivation and success. All in all a great morning to go sailing.
The Warren Jones started the day with some exploratory hump finding with a couple of boats locating mud next to the changeover boat and a couple more discovering a small rise in the river floor level near the start line. And then the tide came in. The airport was busy today and the jets were coming up the river into the easterly on a regular basis with one coming in so low I could see the Qantas sigil on the engine cowling. At the same time we had the helitank choppers drowning the fire in Kings Park next to the river.
The first round robin has been sailed and there's not much room at the top with Will Boulden at 10-1, Harry Price on 8.5-2 and Jelmer van Beek with 8-3. Even Mark Spearman at 7-4 could do it now as the boys are only getting better. One thing I have noticed is that on the bear away sets, the West Australians are generally quick off the mark.
Tomorrow is the start of round robin two and I hope we can get most of the round away on the day.
Crew photo's on Wednesday. Make sure you've got clean gear on.
The images are up and as ever they are for sale.
and ... The Women on Water images.
Monday the 29th of January
And the Easterlies blew- and blew and blew and blew.
18 to 24 knots and a great fetch down the Perth Waters that still didn't make too much of a wave where we were. A good day on the water by all accounts with the breeze remaining steady out of the east flicking occasionally into the south but causing very little trouble for RO Kim Lawrence who had the teams rocking out of the start line like startled rabbits. Event organiser and SRS exec Andy Fethers was quite clear at the briefing. Be on the line at the given time or else.
A great team of umpires was assembled and a good collection of volunteers were whizzing around laying marks, acting as transfer boats and of course Doctor Ed was sitting up in the media boat warbling away to all and sundry.
Monday is traditionally a suck it and see day for all and it was good to see the new crews settling in to the water, though one or two of the older sailors were busy testing the boundaries and finding the mud, showing the youngsters where the edges were. So I won't go into details, leaving that to the scorers and the tweeters etc.
I'll just show you what happened. And then the mad Pro Am dash.
And the Easterlies blew- and blew and blew and blew.
18 to 24 knots and a great fetch down the Perth Waters that still didn't make too much of a wave where we were. A good day on the water by all accounts with the breeze remaining steady out of the east flicking occasionally into the south but causing very little trouble for RO Kim Lawrence who had the teams rocking out of the start line like startled rabbits. Event organiser and SRS exec Andy Fethers was quite clear at the briefing. Be on the line at the given time or else.
A great team of umpires was assembled and a good collection of volunteers were whizzing around laying marks, acting as transfer boats and of course Doctor Ed was sitting up in the media boat warbling away to all and sundry.
Monday is traditionally a suck it and see day for all and it was good to see the new crews settling in to the water, though one or two of the older sailors were busy testing the boundaries and finding the mud, showing the youngsters where the edges were. So I won't go into details, leaving that to the scorers and the tweeters etc.
I'll just show you what happened. And then the mad Pro Am dash.
The Warren Jones International Youth Regatta 2017
I've been invited to do the full regatta and I set aside the time to photograph the event a long time ago.
This year is going to be a revisit of the Sunseeker Regatta that was sailed on Perth Waters back in November 2009.
It was a great success and frankly got me interested in the personalities that abounded in the match racing scene. This year the City of Perth has come on board as the Event sponsor and has tucked it into their City of Perth Festival of Sail, as the main feature along with a myriad of dinghy classes and featuring those death defying kite boarders.
Hoping to use the sea breeze to it's best advantage along with the daylight hours available to us, they have decided to start the event off from midday and finish around 6 pm. I'll get some great images as the sun drops a little and if the Doctor is in, the sailing will be little short of spectacular.
As to the sailors.... Sam and Lachie Gilmour of RFBYC have returned as has Matt Jerwood (SoPYC ) with his Redline Racing team. Chris Steele of NZ has popped up again and I welcome his presence as he is a true competitor. We have Harry Dargaville from RPAYC and he sailed well in the recent Uni. Games at Royal Perth. Harry Price from the Cruising YC of Aus. has a great reputation and is putting it on the line at the W.J. Another two Kiwis, George Anyon and Leonard Takahashi are following in Chris Steele's footsteps and all are from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. From Sweden comes Mans Holmberg of the Cape Crow YC and we have another Aussie from the East in James Hodgson from Mooloolaba YC.
Finally but not at the least, local sailors Will Boulden and Ethan Prieto Low of RFBYC will use their local knowledge to upset the apple cart wherever possible.
Note Bene:
Given the late finish, it will not be possible to get images up on the night. Please expect to see them the next day.
This year is going to be a revisit of the Sunseeker Regatta that was sailed on Perth Waters back in November 2009.
It was a great success and frankly got me interested in the personalities that abounded in the match racing scene. This year the City of Perth has come on board as the Event sponsor and has tucked it into their City of Perth Festival of Sail, as the main feature along with a myriad of dinghy classes and featuring those death defying kite boarders.
Hoping to use the sea breeze to it's best advantage along with the daylight hours available to us, they have decided to start the event off from midday and finish around 6 pm. I'll get some great images as the sun drops a little and if the Doctor is in, the sailing will be little short of spectacular.
As to the sailors.... Sam and Lachie Gilmour of RFBYC have returned as has Matt Jerwood (SoPYC ) with his Redline Racing team. Chris Steele of NZ has popped up again and I welcome his presence as he is a true competitor. We have Harry Dargaville from RPAYC and he sailed well in the recent Uni. Games at Royal Perth. Harry Price from the Cruising YC of Aus. has a great reputation and is putting it on the line at the W.J. Another two Kiwis, George Anyon and Leonard Takahashi are following in Chris Steele's footsteps and all are from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. From Sweden comes Mans Holmberg of the Cape Crow YC and we have another Aussie from the East in James Hodgson from Mooloolaba YC.
Finally but not at the least, local sailors Will Boulden and Ethan Prieto Low of RFBYC will use their local knowledge to upset the apple cart wherever possible.
Note Bene:
Given the late finish, it will not be possible to get images up on the night. Please expect to see them the next day.
Friday the 3rd of February
Finally we had a sea breeze. Possibly not as strong as we'd like it, but a legitimate sou-wester. With the river full from the recent rain, even Ainslie's hump wasn't going to be a feature though it was a concern earlier in the week during the Women in Property racing on Tuesday.
The quarters had been dropped in favour of giving the sailors a full four days competition prior to the semis and finals and speaking to the some of the finalists, they were happy with the decision.
The semi final rounds began with the expected pairings: Steele chose Anyon and Sam Gilmour had Matt Jerwood to contend with. Anyon, an up-coming young man from NZ managed to take one from Chris Steele but succumbed to Steele 2-1 while Sam Gilmour put Matt Jerwood away in 2 flights, though in Matts defense he's been concentrating on the cats for the last year and coming back to mono's has been a re-learning event.
In the petit finals Jerwood and Anyon had a spirited battle, but the wily Jerwood had Anyon carrying penalties right from the start. Hard to get away from that! There was one amusing incident where an umpires boat managed to get sandwiched between the two of them and I'm not sure whether Anyon was protesting Jerwood or the umps. ( not a good idea, protesting the umpires ). However, you make up your mind.
The finals were well fought with Steele reprising his battle of last year against Sam Gilmour. This time it was going to be his turn and in the third race with a race apiece, Steele managed to get a prestart penalty on Gilmour and copped a red flag penalty that he had to take there and then for failing to keep clear. Gilmour got clear and decided to clear his penalty before rounding the top mark again. He maintained a lead down wind, but luffed Steele up a little early as they approached the finish, if he'd held him a bit longer..... This let Steele through and as the line judges on the finish boat said " the space of two hands" was enough to win.
Sailing for the match, Chis Steele made no mistakes in the fourth race, starting slightly ahead and stretching it out to a clear lead through the tacking duels and gybes that occurred. A good win to what Chris Steele described as a scratch team that he threw together weeks prior to the race. Not a bad team either if you look them up. At least one Sydney to Hobart man and others from the top echelons in NZ and world racing.
My thanks to Bruce Meakin who drove me all week and put up with my demands of faster/slower/ up here and down there, and saved me from my own self when I wanted to get closer.
My thanks also to Swan River Sailing headed by Andy Fethers with regatta manager Carolyne Bush handling the strings behind the scenes. Thanks also to Mike Taylor who took care of me on Sunday. To Royal Perth YC headed by PRO Kim Laurence who managed the on water aspect of the regatta. To the umpires and the volunteers who served my thanks but to the young men and women who sailed the regatta, well done.
And finally the City of Perth and the other associated sponsors who helped out putting this regatta together.
Thank you.
A small note on photographing the kites.
It's more difficult than herding cats. They are never in the same place at the one time.
They're all up. Enjoy!
The quarters had been dropped in favour of giving the sailors a full four days competition prior to the semis and finals and speaking to the some of the finalists, they were happy with the decision.
The semi final rounds began with the expected pairings: Steele chose Anyon and Sam Gilmour had Matt Jerwood to contend with. Anyon, an up-coming young man from NZ managed to take one from Chris Steele but succumbed to Steele 2-1 while Sam Gilmour put Matt Jerwood away in 2 flights, though in Matts defense he's been concentrating on the cats for the last year and coming back to mono's has been a re-learning event.
In the petit finals Jerwood and Anyon had a spirited battle, but the wily Jerwood had Anyon carrying penalties right from the start. Hard to get away from that! There was one amusing incident where an umpires boat managed to get sandwiched between the two of them and I'm not sure whether Anyon was protesting Jerwood or the umps. ( not a good idea, protesting the umpires ). However, you make up your mind.
The finals were well fought with Steele reprising his battle of last year against Sam Gilmour. This time it was going to be his turn and in the third race with a race apiece, Steele managed to get a prestart penalty on Gilmour and copped a red flag penalty that he had to take there and then for failing to keep clear. Gilmour got clear and decided to clear his penalty before rounding the top mark again. He maintained a lead down wind, but luffed Steele up a little early as they approached the finish, if he'd held him a bit longer..... This let Steele through and as the line judges on the finish boat said " the space of two hands" was enough to win.
Sailing for the match, Chis Steele made no mistakes in the fourth race, starting slightly ahead and stretching it out to a clear lead through the tacking duels and gybes that occurred. A good win to what Chris Steele described as a scratch team that he threw together weeks prior to the race. Not a bad team either if you look them up. At least one Sydney to Hobart man and others from the top echelons in NZ and world racing.
My thanks to Bruce Meakin who drove me all week and put up with my demands of faster/slower/ up here and down there, and saved me from my own self when I wanted to get closer.
My thanks also to Swan River Sailing headed by Andy Fethers with regatta manager Carolyne Bush handling the strings behind the scenes. Thanks also to Mike Taylor who took care of me on Sunday. To Royal Perth YC headed by PRO Kim Laurence who managed the on water aspect of the regatta. To the umpires and the volunteers who served my thanks but to the young men and women who sailed the regatta, well done.
And finally the City of Perth and the other associated sponsors who helped out putting this regatta together.
Thank you.
A small note on photographing the kites.
It's more difficult than herding cats. They are never in the same place at the one time.
They're all up. Enjoy!
The Semi finals and Finals
The Kites
Presentations.
Crew Shots ( and yes they are available to purchase )
Thursday the 2nd of February
The Battle of the Bulge.
Chris Steele and Sam Gilmour were reasonably comfortable at the top of the tree, but there were 3 or 4 possible candidates for the next two spots. The decision to drop the quarter finals had been mooted and was announced in time to let the sailors suck it up. It was a day of shifty easterlies of 5 to 10 knots followed by a lazy seabreeze that came in around 5 pm. The chances of getting through the day unscarred was nigh impossible and even Steele was nailed in the end by Matt Jerwood, giving Matt a little comfort that he was through.
The real leap of faith was George Anyon who had to sit on his fingers to the very last race to see his contender for the top four, Harry Price knocked out. Well sailed Harry, undoubtedly you'll be back to give it another try next year. To all the contenders well sailed and the crew photo's will be up over the weekend.
For those of you who were wondering what had happened to Wednesdays images. A problem with the service provider that I use had prevented the page going up live. Once I knew, it was easily remedied.
Enjoy the images.
Chris Steele and Sam Gilmour were reasonably comfortable at the top of the tree, but there were 3 or 4 possible candidates for the next two spots. The decision to drop the quarter finals had been mooted and was announced in time to let the sailors suck it up. It was a day of shifty easterlies of 5 to 10 knots followed by a lazy seabreeze that came in around 5 pm. The chances of getting through the day unscarred was nigh impossible and even Steele was nailed in the end by Matt Jerwood, giving Matt a little comfort that he was through.
The real leap of faith was George Anyon who had to sit on his fingers to the very last race to see his contender for the top four, Harry Price knocked out. Well sailed Harry, undoubtedly you'll be back to give it another try next year. To all the contenders well sailed and the crew photo's will be up over the weekend.
For those of you who were wondering what had happened to Wednesdays images. A problem with the service provider that I use had prevented the page going up live. Once I knew, it was easily remedied.
Enjoy the images.
Wednesday the 1st of February
Moving Day.
And quite rightly so. For starters the sun was out and the breeze was working. Albeit so, still out of the East and flicking around enough to keep the RO on his toes. But it mattered little as the sterling performance of George Anyon had the guys on the changeover boat delighted and the media boat roaring their approval for all to hear. Well done the young Kiwi! 5 matches on the trot and scalps galore. Sure Chris Steele is the master/mentor of the Kiwi visitors but this young gun has put in some hard yards. Sam Gilmour had to take his brother Lachy to the line to extend the ongoing battle between the two of them. But it keeps the sailing interesting.
The breeze was still flicking about and during one of the crew transfers that we are required to do, a local skipper was overheard to mention that the race should have been abandoned as the breeze was too light. Sure enough 5 seconds later, the race was indeed abandoned. Both RO and helms know what's going on. And as for the breeze, well chasing the gusts as they came down the sides was the way to win and with the shifts, you would see a boat driving straight up to the mark, while the next race would be off to another buoy to one side or the other.
Then the seabreeze came wandering in. And waft it did. Not as heavy as we know it, but enough for everyone to get a feel of the new course and the length of it. A major win for Ethan Prieto-Low when he had a successful protest on George Anyon right in front of an appreciative mob on the changeover boat. They roared their approval. And to cap it off, he held the race for a win.
Enjoy the images and we'll see what arrives on Thursday.
And quite rightly so. For starters the sun was out and the breeze was working. Albeit so, still out of the East and flicking around enough to keep the RO on his toes. But it mattered little as the sterling performance of George Anyon had the guys on the changeover boat delighted and the media boat roaring their approval for all to hear. Well done the young Kiwi! 5 matches on the trot and scalps galore. Sure Chris Steele is the master/mentor of the Kiwi visitors but this young gun has put in some hard yards. Sam Gilmour had to take his brother Lachy to the line to extend the ongoing battle between the two of them. But it keeps the sailing interesting.
The breeze was still flicking about and during one of the crew transfers that we are required to do, a local skipper was overheard to mention that the race should have been abandoned as the breeze was too light. Sure enough 5 seconds later, the race was indeed abandoned. Both RO and helms know what's going on. And as for the breeze, well chasing the gusts as they came down the sides was the way to win and with the shifts, you would see a boat driving straight up to the mark, while the next race would be off to another buoy to one side or the other.
Then the seabreeze came wandering in. And waft it did. Not as heavy as we know it, but enough for everyone to get a feel of the new course and the length of it. A major win for Ethan Prieto-Low when he had a successful protest on George Anyon right in front of an appreciative mob on the changeover boat. They roared their approval. And to cap it off, he held the race for a win.
Enjoy the images and we'll see what arrives on Thursday.
Tuesday the 31st of January
The day started with the Women in Property sail in the morning ( and will be put up later on ), then we moved into the second day of the Warren Jones.
There was still drizzle around and with a fluctuating easterly that gave us 5 to 10 knots and the employment of three top marks as the breeze switched around. Sometimes a run up the city side worked, other times the south side of the course was the way to go.
Chris Steele has one intention - win the regatta. He's made it quite clear with his sailing that he's here to take a relatively young crew up a couple of steps and ensure that they can hold their heads up what ever happens. Sam Gilmour has done well and sits two points below Steele with stable mates Will Boulden and Lachie Gilmour a point below Sam. Matt Jerwood, George Anyon and Harry Price sit another point below them on 6 points. While the rest will have to work hard to get their points on Wednesday, the afore mentioned look like the contenders for the quarter finals. But Wednesday is moving day and in the second round robin anything can happen.
Hopefully the weather will be kinder and the breeze will firm up a little. It'll still be in the east though!
There was still drizzle around and with a fluctuating easterly that gave us 5 to 10 knots and the employment of three top marks as the breeze switched around. Sometimes a run up the city side worked, other times the south side of the course was the way to go.
Chris Steele has one intention - win the regatta. He's made it quite clear with his sailing that he's here to take a relatively young crew up a couple of steps and ensure that they can hold their heads up what ever happens. Sam Gilmour has done well and sits two points below Steele with stable mates Will Boulden and Lachie Gilmour a point below Sam. Matt Jerwood, George Anyon and Harry Price sit another point below them on 6 points. While the rest will have to work hard to get their points on Wednesday, the afore mentioned look like the contenders for the quarter finals. But Wednesday is moving day and in the second round robin anything can happen.
Hopefully the weather will be kinder and the breeze will firm up a little. It'll still be in the east though!
The Women In Property sail.
Monday the 30th of January
So began a miserable day. In the previous post I suggested that it may have been a little wet today. How right it was..... even the lunch roll was soggy by the time I'd finished it. But we had a good breeze out of the sou east that flicked into the east sou east occasionally with 10 to 15 knots over all. And every one was coping with it. It's just a wet start to the regatta.
But the camera was suffering a little with dull light and a wet operator. Neither of which helps. However I was interested with the racing and the chance to watch some old adversaries meet up and the opportunity for a couple of young guns show their stuff . I'd been offered a ride with Bruce ( ex UWA ) and a good sailor in his own right and he and I were working the course to do as best as we could. We had an added bonus of the Pro- Am race at the end of the day and it was a hoot, but more later about that as I'm running out of sleep getting this up.
I'm not putting any credence in the scores so far; as a number of competitors haven't completed their full rounds, but go to the WJ website to see how they're fairing. I may look into the racing later in the week, but I can say that there are some really feisty drivers out there from NZ. Worth watching.
The Pro Am is now up. See below!
But the camera was suffering a little with dull light and a wet operator. Neither of which helps. However I was interested with the racing and the chance to watch some old adversaries meet up and the opportunity for a couple of young guns show their stuff . I'd been offered a ride with Bruce ( ex UWA ) and a good sailor in his own right and he and I were working the course to do as best as we could. We had an added bonus of the Pro- Am race at the end of the day and it was a hoot, but more later about that as I'm running out of sleep getting this up.
I'm not putting any credence in the scores so far; as a number of competitors haven't completed their full rounds, but go to the WJ website to see how they're fairing. I may look into the racing later in the week, but I can say that there are some really feisty drivers out there from NZ. Worth watching.
The Pro Am is now up. See below!
The Pro Am.
A great fleet start with some of the yachts having guest helms ( from the crew ).
A great fleet start with some of the yachts having guest helms ( from the crew ).
Sunday the 29th of January
Thought that I'd go down to see what was happening on the other side of the Narrows bridge. It was a training day for the sailors with the chance to get onto Perth Water and check out the course. Realistically it was also a chance for me to see what the city looked like from the river after 7 years. Also to catch up with the team and sort out the regatta office position. Excellent. Pity that we don't have a clear view from the bar, but its a great spot to be overlooking the river. Well done the Aqua Bar and the Lucky Shag!
More to the point; the skippers. Met up with the Gilmour gents and wished them well and got a rather candid shot of the SoPYC team heading in on the club rib. :-) Also noticed that Chris Steele is back as a mentor this time with a youngish team who may or may not. Wait and see... he's pretty good with his crew.
Saw that Ethan P-L was starting to work well with his team and I wish him good luck. At 17 he's got a long way to go, but if he can he will. Will Boulden and Harry Dargaville had been teamed up in the practice session and were at it again... a carry on from the Uni games last year. Good luck Will and I'm sure that Harry will give you grief.
As to the Swede Mans Holmberg, he was up against the blended team of James Hodgson with a couple of noted SoPYC Laser sailors (Conor Nicholas and Lachie Gilham). I guess I missed the last three and my apologies to them, but my interest was in getting to know the venue and how the course was laid.
The weather is not promising for tomorrow. I may be lingering on the back of the start boat .
Till tomorrow. Enjoy the quick snaps.
More to the point; the skippers. Met up with the Gilmour gents and wished them well and got a rather candid shot of the SoPYC team heading in on the club rib. :-) Also noticed that Chris Steele is back as a mentor this time with a youngish team who may or may not. Wait and see... he's pretty good with his crew.
Saw that Ethan P-L was starting to work well with his team and I wish him good luck. At 17 he's got a long way to go, but if he can he will. Will Boulden and Harry Dargaville had been teamed up in the practice session and were at it again... a carry on from the Uni games last year. Good luck Will and I'm sure that Harry will give you grief.
As to the Swede Mans Holmberg, he was up against the blended team of James Hodgson with a couple of noted SoPYC Laser sailors (Conor Nicholas and Lachie Gilham). I guess I missed the last three and my apologies to them, but my interest was in getting to know the venue and how the course was laid.
The weather is not promising for tomorrow. I may be lingering on the back of the start boat .
Till tomorrow. Enjoy the quick snaps.
The Warren Jones International Youth Match Racing Regatta 2016
This year I look forward to following the racing for 3 days solid from the Wednesday through to the Friday and the resultant images will go up accordingly.
This year has a number of returnees with Kiwi Chris Steele coming back to defend his win from last year. Lachie and Sam Gilmour of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club have returned with teams that have been battle hardened overseas. By the same token South of Perth YC's Matt Jerwood and the Redline Racing team has a newly opened scar from the Little Wheel when he went down to Lachie Gilmour. I have a feeling that Matt will not let that pass. Dane Joachim Aschenbrenner has returned as has local man,Will Boulden. To make it interesting we have Jordan Reece of CYCA returning after a few years absence and he may cause a few changes in the score cards. Murray Jones, again of CYCA, is visiting from Sydney and will cause problems with local teams headed by RFBYC's Mark Spearman and Nathan Prieto Low.
The racing is at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and again it will be on the bay in front of the yacht club.
This year has a number of returnees with Kiwi Chris Steele coming back to defend his win from last year. Lachie and Sam Gilmour of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club have returned with teams that have been battle hardened overseas. By the same token South of Perth YC's Matt Jerwood and the Redline Racing team has a newly opened scar from the Little Wheel when he went down to Lachie Gilmour. I have a feeling that Matt will not let that pass. Dane Joachim Aschenbrenner has returned as has local man,Will Boulden. To make it interesting we have Jordan Reece of CYCA returning after a few years absence and he may cause a few changes in the score cards. Murray Jones, again of CYCA, is visiting from Sydney and will cause problems with local teams headed by RFBYC's Mark Spearman and Nathan Prieto Low.
The racing is at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and again it will be on the bay in front of the yacht club.
Friday
With the round robins completed, the decision to drop the quarter finals was made easier. Hard for some, but it meant that all the available time could be put into the semi's and the finals.
The choice made by Sam Gilmour was easy and had his brother been there instead of Jones, it would have been the same. First takes on fourth. An less challenging ride through to the final. However the battle between Jerwood and Steele would be interesting as either could take it.
Hurry up and go slowly was the call as we waited for the breeze to fill in from the west. Most of us found relief in the shade of the club house and Chris Steele and his team had taken possession of the pool table yet again.
An early lunch was called and the wisdom of the quarters drop came into play as by 12.30 the seabreeze was starting to come in and boats were starting to head out. No way the quarters would have been finished.
The Semis were best of three and in the light breeze of the early afternoon it was picking the shifts and keeping your opponent occupied. Gilmour was through in straight matches, while Steele and Jerwood went to three races with Steele taking the last. The finals and the petit finals began with genoa's abandoned for jibs and a sou wester of old booming down the course. 24 knots was recorded further up the river and it was an indication of what we had.
A great battle between Jones and Jerwood for the petit final with one match abandoned due to a problem on the start boat , but Matt Jerwood and his Redline Racing Team sailed well to take the petit finals and included a magic series of images on the finish line. Glad I was there.
The final between Steele and Sam Gilmour was sailed on genoas as the breeze had dropped and the large audience of guests and sponsors waiting on the various launches around the start line were appreciative of the move and certain boats were very vocal in their support for both Jerwood and Gilmour.
Not with a bang, but a whimper.
I guess I didn't like to see it, but the final was decided on a technical matter that had been explained to all as a problem that would earn a red flag ( immediate penalty turn ). As a fellow commentator called it, "a dodgy gybe".
That gave Gilmour the match and the series. After five tries and 3 finals he was content to step to the top of the podium. Not that Chris Steele was disconsolate; as a previous winner he had already had the honour.
My thanks to Skip Lissiman who retires this year as head of Swan River Sailing; to Carolyne Bush, who again has got the whole thing together successfully. To the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht club for a great venue and a great bunch of volunteers. To the sponsors who stumped up the money to keep this regatta on the move and to the sailors themselves without whom we would not have a regatta. Can't forget my drivers for the regatta. Great work from Graeme White who looked after me on the first two days and Tony Pugh who as a driver on the last day had to cope with a bunch of photographers who all knew match racing! Lucky he knew more than we did. Till next year.
The choice made by Sam Gilmour was easy and had his brother been there instead of Jones, it would have been the same. First takes on fourth. An less challenging ride through to the final. However the battle between Jerwood and Steele would be interesting as either could take it.
Hurry up and go slowly was the call as we waited for the breeze to fill in from the west. Most of us found relief in the shade of the club house and Chris Steele and his team had taken possession of the pool table yet again.
An early lunch was called and the wisdom of the quarters drop came into play as by 12.30 the seabreeze was starting to come in and boats were starting to head out. No way the quarters would have been finished.
The Semis were best of three and in the light breeze of the early afternoon it was picking the shifts and keeping your opponent occupied. Gilmour was through in straight matches, while Steele and Jerwood went to three races with Steele taking the last. The finals and the petit finals began with genoa's abandoned for jibs and a sou wester of old booming down the course. 24 knots was recorded further up the river and it was an indication of what we had.
A great battle between Jones and Jerwood for the petit final with one match abandoned due to a problem on the start boat , but Matt Jerwood and his Redline Racing Team sailed well to take the petit finals and included a magic series of images on the finish line. Glad I was there.
The final between Steele and Sam Gilmour was sailed on genoas as the breeze had dropped and the large audience of guests and sponsors waiting on the various launches around the start line were appreciative of the move and certain boats were very vocal in their support for both Jerwood and Gilmour.
Not with a bang, but a whimper.
I guess I didn't like to see it, but the final was decided on a technical matter that had been explained to all as a problem that would earn a red flag ( immediate penalty turn ). As a fellow commentator called it, "a dodgy gybe".
That gave Gilmour the match and the series. After five tries and 3 finals he was content to step to the top of the podium. Not that Chris Steele was disconsolate; as a previous winner he had already had the honour.
My thanks to Skip Lissiman who retires this year as head of Swan River Sailing; to Carolyne Bush, who again has got the whole thing together successfully. To the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht club for a great venue and a great bunch of volunteers. To the sponsors who stumped up the money to keep this regatta on the move and to the sailors themselves without whom we would not have a regatta. Can't forget my drivers for the regatta. Great work from Graeme White who looked after me on the first two days and Tony Pugh who as a driver on the last day had to cope with a bunch of photographers who all knew match racing! Lucky he knew more than we did. Till next year.
And the Presentations
Thursday
Again an Easterly and with racing brought forward half an hour we were on the water swiftly.
The teams had to finish off some flights and then get into the last of the second round robin. The first rounds were crucial as there were matches that gave the top guys some indication as to where they were going. Matt Jerwood had to win the two allotted races he had against Sam Gilmour and J Aschenbrenner and lost each time, carrying a flag at least once with pre start penalties featuring. With those under his belt he left the course having finished his rounds and shortly after we retired for lunch, having completed 4 sequences.
And we waited....
It was not until 3 pm that the sea breeze finally came in and it's possibly an harbinger for tomorrows sailing as the RO John Taylor worked hard to keep the racing flowing until the second round robin was completed and then packed up the course around 5 pm. The sorting out however, was complete with some salutary lessons in spinnaker drops giving me fine shots and I'll expect no apologies as to why. Prawn trawling is not a sailing occupation.
Once again as the results became available the scoring had Sam G at the top, with Chris Steel second assuring a good battle and Matt Jerwood picking up third despite his late bad run. The problem lies with fourth in that Lachie G and a visitor from Sydney Murray Jones sharing the billing. If there are quarter finals then its not much of a problem and they will sort it out as they go. However if the quarter finals are dropped then Murray Jones moves through at Lachie's expense. Time is the big issue and it's in the hands of the RO. BTW we have a 0900 start tomorrow so here's hoping. I'd like to see the quarters sailed, but time is of the essence.
A note... the first three in the eventual winning group get an automatic entry into the World Match Racing Tour event held at Fremantle in March. These are on the exciting M32's, super sized cats with lots of go!
Enjoy the images.
The teams had to finish off some flights and then get into the last of the second round robin. The first rounds were crucial as there were matches that gave the top guys some indication as to where they were going. Matt Jerwood had to win the two allotted races he had against Sam Gilmour and J Aschenbrenner and lost each time, carrying a flag at least once with pre start penalties featuring. With those under his belt he left the course having finished his rounds and shortly after we retired for lunch, having completed 4 sequences.
And we waited....
It was not until 3 pm that the sea breeze finally came in and it's possibly an harbinger for tomorrows sailing as the RO John Taylor worked hard to keep the racing flowing until the second round robin was completed and then packed up the course around 5 pm. The sorting out however, was complete with some salutary lessons in spinnaker drops giving me fine shots and I'll expect no apologies as to why. Prawn trawling is not a sailing occupation.
Once again as the results became available the scoring had Sam G at the top, with Chris Steel second assuring a good battle and Matt Jerwood picking up third despite his late bad run. The problem lies with fourth in that Lachie G and a visitor from Sydney Murray Jones sharing the billing. If there are quarter finals then its not much of a problem and they will sort it out as they go. However if the quarter finals are dropped then Murray Jones moves through at Lachie's expense. Time is the big issue and it's in the hands of the RO. BTW we have a 0900 start tomorrow so here's hoping. I'd like to see the quarters sailed, but time is of the essence.
A note... the first three in the eventual winning group get an automatic entry into the World Match Racing Tour event held at Fremantle in March. These are on the exciting M32's, super sized cats with lots of go!
Enjoy the images.
Wednesday
The day started with a reasonable breeze out of the East with a number of people betting on at least three flights before the wind dropped out. And so it was, as the easterly began to diminish over the morning. But it didn't stop the regatta with the RO getting a course set with three top buoys set to allow for variations in the breeze. And the guys on the top mark were as busy as one handed paper hangers.
With the rest of the first Round Robin to complete it was business as usual with all and sundry out there. I was fortunate to be on a media boat driven by RP member Graham White. Urbane and knowledgeable, he had me where I needed to be with little to worry about and I was delighted to have him as company.
The racing was interesting as by the end of the 1st Round Robin, Sam Gilmour was shading Matt Jerwood by one race with Steele sitting in third spot. Reece and Jones were sitting equal fourth with Aschenbrenner and Lachie Gilmour equal sixth. This round was completed after an early lunch while we waited for the sea breeze to come in and it was quite pleasant sitting on the lawns at the club house.
Sure enough the RO had the call on the breeze and we were on the water as the wind filled in. It took about an hour and the final flights of the first round were completed. Then away we went again and the breeze was starting to work hard by 3 pm. White caps and mad dashes with spinnakers shy meant that there was a little bit more than just pride involved. The sponsors were going out for rides as well and it was clear to see that they were enjoying the ride as much as we were. Even Graham was taken for a ride and I must admit it was fun to do a boat chase to get the image of him having a ride. But back to business.
We had worked our way well into the second round by 4. pm when I left the water as they called for a change to jibs from the genoas. It was pushing 20 knots on the water and the boats were slightly sideways. Most of the boats finished 4 flights with one or two doing 5 and others only getting 3 under their belts. But there is still tomorrow.
Enjoy the images
With the rest of the first Round Robin to complete it was business as usual with all and sundry out there. I was fortunate to be on a media boat driven by RP member Graham White. Urbane and knowledgeable, he had me where I needed to be with little to worry about and I was delighted to have him as company.
The racing was interesting as by the end of the 1st Round Robin, Sam Gilmour was shading Matt Jerwood by one race with Steele sitting in third spot. Reece and Jones were sitting equal fourth with Aschenbrenner and Lachie Gilmour equal sixth. This round was completed after an early lunch while we waited for the sea breeze to come in and it was quite pleasant sitting on the lawns at the club house.
Sure enough the RO had the call on the breeze and we were on the water as the wind filled in. It took about an hour and the final flights of the first round were completed. Then away we went again and the breeze was starting to work hard by 3 pm. White caps and mad dashes with spinnakers shy meant that there was a little bit more than just pride involved. The sponsors were going out for rides as well and it was clear to see that they were enjoying the ride as much as we were. Even Graham was taken for a ride and I must admit it was fun to do a boat chase to get the image of him having a ride. But back to business.
We had worked our way well into the second round by 4. pm when I left the water as they called for a change to jibs from the genoas. It was pushing 20 knots on the water and the boats were slightly sideways. Most of the boats finished 4 flights with one or two doing 5 and others only getting 3 under their belts. But there is still tomorrow.
Enjoy the images
The Warren Jones International Youth Match Racing Regatta 2015
Due to commitments off the water I will be photographing on the Wednesday and the Friday of the regatta.
However I'm extremely interested in the mix this year as Sam Gilmour (14th) has his brother in the regatta this year with Lachie (unranked) putting his name forward. Other than these two, we have Dane Joachim Aschenbrenner ranked highest in the event at 6th place and the boomerang Kiwi Chris Steele (16th)who is back again to have a crack at the top spot. Matt Jerwood's Redline Racing ( 54th ) is back to show that they can and we have likeable Japanese visitor Kohei Ichikawa (112) coming in to stir up the pot. In between these, we have Mark Lees (23) of GBR and the USA's Peter Holz (67). A line up of younger players are coming in from Australia and they are all looking to further blood their teams and lift themselves through the ranks. They are Jay Griffin (121), Sam Ellis (136), Malcolm Parker (203) and Will Boulden (308)
However I'm extremely interested in the mix this year as Sam Gilmour (14th) has his brother in the regatta this year with Lachie (unranked) putting his name forward. Other than these two, we have Dane Joachim Aschenbrenner ranked highest in the event at 6th place and the boomerang Kiwi Chris Steele (16th)who is back again to have a crack at the top spot. Matt Jerwood's Redline Racing ( 54th ) is back to show that they can and we have likeable Japanese visitor Kohei Ichikawa (112) coming in to stir up the pot. In between these, we have Mark Lees (23) of GBR and the USA's Peter Holz (67). A line up of younger players are coming in from Australia and they are all looking to further blood their teams and lift themselves through the ranks. They are Jay Griffin (121), Sam Ellis (136), Malcolm Parker (203) and Will Boulden (308)
Friday the 30th of January Day four.
Day Four and a shifty, horrible, gusty Easterly had moved in over night and was making it plain that it was in for the day.
An amendment first... Jay Griffin was out of action thanks to some horseplay on Australia Day. And Henry Kernot has stepped up to sub as the skipper. Surprisingly he is doing well and checking his antecedents, it's not a surprise as he's been out on the WJ's before and sails quite well, thank you. The Quarter finals will be dealt with first and they kicked off in a light easterly that was tracking left. The battle was between Jerwood and Kernot ( Griffen), Steele and Ichikawa, Aschenbrenner and Lachie Gilmour with Sam G and Holtz to fight it out. Each q final was fought out to a first to two points and Sam G, Kernot and Lachy G got through in the minimum required number of races. However much to Steele's surprise, Ichikawa took one off him in the second race and the wind died off before the third race could be sailed. We then all trouped ashore, had lunch and reassembled on the water with a bit more zip in the breeze.
"Thanks very much for coming Ichikawa," was the reply from Steele as he took the race and the draw for the semi finals went under way. A small observation that Jerwood could have been a winner, but in the second race his spinnaker halyard let go and although he had the spinnaker up on the jib halyard as quickly as ... the race was as good as gone.
Enjoy the images of the quarters.
An amendment first... Jay Griffin was out of action thanks to some horseplay on Australia Day. And Henry Kernot has stepped up to sub as the skipper. Surprisingly he is doing well and checking his antecedents, it's not a surprise as he's been out on the WJ's before and sails quite well, thank you. The Quarter finals will be dealt with first and they kicked off in a light easterly that was tracking left. The battle was between Jerwood and Kernot ( Griffen), Steele and Ichikawa, Aschenbrenner and Lachie Gilmour with Sam G and Holtz to fight it out. Each q final was fought out to a first to two points and Sam G, Kernot and Lachy G got through in the minimum required number of races. However much to Steele's surprise, Ichikawa took one off him in the second race and the wind died off before the third race could be sailed. We then all trouped ashore, had lunch and reassembled on the water with a bit more zip in the breeze.
"Thanks very much for coming Ichikawa," was the reply from Steele as he took the race and the draw for the semi finals went under way. A small observation that Jerwood could have been a winner, but in the second race his spinnaker halyard let go and although he had the spinnaker up on the jib halyard as quickly as ... the race was as good as gone.
Enjoy the images of the quarters.
Then the Semis and the Finals .
Same breeze, though a little more interesting as the new easterly had a bit of north in it and you could see the rain tracking to the left along the escarpment. By this time the big boats were starting to arrive to ferry the guests from the luncheon out onto the water and the spectator fleet was starting to build as well. The luncheon got underway about the same time as the semis started and the pairings were Steele choosing Lachie G and Sam G choosing Kernot. All skippers had acquitted themselves well to get to this point, but the snakes and ladders effect of the easterlies was going to make it quite clear that it was to be no easy matter. The racing went to one a piece for all the skippers with essentially a sudden death finish on the last races. It could go to anyone. All three top marker buoys were in use at one stage or another with the breeze moving about the course and RO Martin Clark had the windward mark team on the move all the time. Not surprisingly Steele took the win over Lachie G as he still had unfinished business to attend to and Sam Gilmour made it a clean finish in front of Kernot to join Steele in the finals.
The first race was run under a dying breeze and Kernot took the race from Lachie G. Sam G was within 50 metres of the finish and in front of Steele when murmurs were heard of abandoning the race. But good counseling was available and the race was completed with enough breeze for Sam G to get over the line in front of Steele. The course was then shut down with only ghostly whispers riffling the water around the assembled spectator fleet, the sailors and the race management team.
During this period we went for a wander around the fleet photographing people and craft and the occasional swimmer who decided for reasons of their own to jump into the water. Well done to Spanner and his crew on one of the RP ribs. They "found" a crab pot and low and behold, a decent crab in it as well.
Time moved on and talking to Steele, I asked him if this is how he wanted it to end. The response was clear "Give me some wind." And sure enough a few minutes later around 5 pm in came a breeze from the East. A quick shuffle of the course and away they went with only one race possible due to time restraints. Up and down then up again with the decision never in doubt. Steele was there to win and once again Sam got to be the bridesmaid and take runner up. Kernot rolled Lachie as may have been expected giving us a result in the petit finals and thanks to the one all draw in the finals and no more racing allowed, the round robins were brought into play and as Steele had finished higher than Sam, the win went to Steele.
Racing was complete and presentations were to start in an hours time.
My thanks to Skip Lissiman as the chairman of the Warren Jones Regatta committee, to Carolyne Bush who put the show together, to RO Martin Clarke and Chief Umpire Phil Mosten, the umpires, ball boys etc. Special thanks to the Sports department at UWA (Bruce, Nichola and Brad) who very kindly trundled the media pack around the race course and acted as the general gofer when the broadcast boat headed by Les Valmadre and Dr. Ed Fethers, the doyen of the sailing airwaves, called for fresh meat for the commentary team.
And not unsurprisingly; the sailors who took to the water on a Warren Jones without the traditional booming sea breeze. A comment was heard at the presentations that "at no stage was it necessary to go down to jibs rather than genoa's.")
Same breeze, though a little more interesting as the new easterly had a bit of north in it and you could see the rain tracking to the left along the escarpment. By this time the big boats were starting to arrive to ferry the guests from the luncheon out onto the water and the spectator fleet was starting to build as well. The luncheon got underway about the same time as the semis started and the pairings were Steele choosing Lachie G and Sam G choosing Kernot. All skippers had acquitted themselves well to get to this point, but the snakes and ladders effect of the easterlies was going to make it quite clear that it was to be no easy matter. The racing went to one a piece for all the skippers with essentially a sudden death finish on the last races. It could go to anyone. All three top marker buoys were in use at one stage or another with the breeze moving about the course and RO Martin Clark had the windward mark team on the move all the time. Not surprisingly Steele took the win over Lachie G as he still had unfinished business to attend to and Sam Gilmour made it a clean finish in front of Kernot to join Steele in the finals.
The first race was run under a dying breeze and Kernot took the race from Lachie G. Sam G was within 50 metres of the finish and in front of Steele when murmurs were heard of abandoning the race. But good counseling was available and the race was completed with enough breeze for Sam G to get over the line in front of Steele. The course was then shut down with only ghostly whispers riffling the water around the assembled spectator fleet, the sailors and the race management team.
During this period we went for a wander around the fleet photographing people and craft and the occasional swimmer who decided for reasons of their own to jump into the water. Well done to Spanner and his crew on one of the RP ribs. They "found" a crab pot and low and behold, a decent crab in it as well.
Time moved on and talking to Steele, I asked him if this is how he wanted it to end. The response was clear "Give me some wind." And sure enough a few minutes later around 5 pm in came a breeze from the East. A quick shuffle of the course and away they went with only one race possible due to time restraints. Up and down then up again with the decision never in doubt. Steele was there to win and once again Sam got to be the bridesmaid and take runner up. Kernot rolled Lachie as may have been expected giving us a result in the petit finals and thanks to the one all draw in the finals and no more racing allowed, the round robins were brought into play and as Steele had finished higher than Sam, the win went to Steele.
Racing was complete and presentations were to start in an hours time.
My thanks to Skip Lissiman as the chairman of the Warren Jones Regatta committee, to Carolyne Bush who put the show together, to RO Martin Clarke and Chief Umpire Phil Mosten, the umpires, ball boys etc. Special thanks to the Sports department at UWA (Bruce, Nichola and Brad) who very kindly trundled the media pack around the race course and acted as the general gofer when the broadcast boat headed by Les Valmadre and Dr. Ed Fethers, the doyen of the sailing airwaves, called for fresh meat for the commentary team.
And not unsurprisingly; the sailors who took to the water on a Warren Jones without the traditional booming sea breeze. A comment was heard at the presentations that "at no stage was it necessary to go down to jibs rather than genoa's.")
The Presentations
( and my thanks to Debbie Blaauw for two images )
( and my thanks to Debbie Blaauw for two images )
Wednesday the 28th of January. Day two
Sailed this year at Royal Perth Yacht Club, the Warren Jones is a great sight.
So to work on a day that proved to be a good showing for the teams. The RO had the game under way very quickly with the windward mark team flitting about at the top moving the marks or laying out new ones as required. The test match racing rules modification package that has been used in the Open Match Racing Championships at SoPYC is also in use over this regatta and the visiting teams were hurriedly having to come to terms with the new rules at the mark.
The first day had a giant hole in the middle where they withdrew from the water for a while and then progressed back onto the bay when the seabreeze came in. Consequently a few races had to be completed to finish RR #1 on the second day. At the end of the first RR Aschenbrenner was in the lead with a solid ten wins under his belt and Jerwood and Steele shared second with 8 wins apiece. At the end of Wednesday, Aschenbrenner had the lead two thirds of the way through the second round robin. Matt Jerwood stood second with Sam Gilmour sitting third. Peter Holz and Chris Steele share 4th place.
A couple of incidents occurred when Parker lost his spinnaker halyard and Jay was sent to the top to get it back. And a suspected MOB during a battle between Will Boulden and Sam Gilmour. Sam got under Will's transom and started to take him up away from the finish line. Sam thought he had enough room and shot away down hill, Will followed and a suspect gybe took the spinnaker into no mans land ruining their run and flicking a man into the drink.
Enjoy the images.
So to work on a day that proved to be a good showing for the teams. The RO had the game under way very quickly with the windward mark team flitting about at the top moving the marks or laying out new ones as required. The test match racing rules modification package that has been used in the Open Match Racing Championships at SoPYC is also in use over this regatta and the visiting teams were hurriedly having to come to terms with the new rules at the mark.
The first day had a giant hole in the middle where they withdrew from the water for a while and then progressed back onto the bay when the seabreeze came in. Consequently a few races had to be completed to finish RR #1 on the second day. At the end of the first RR Aschenbrenner was in the lead with a solid ten wins under his belt and Jerwood and Steele shared second with 8 wins apiece. At the end of Wednesday, Aschenbrenner had the lead two thirds of the way through the second round robin. Matt Jerwood stood second with Sam Gilmour sitting third. Peter Holz and Chris Steele share 4th place.
A couple of incidents occurred when Parker lost his spinnaker halyard and Jay was sent to the top to get it back. And a suspected MOB during a battle between Will Boulden and Sam Gilmour. Sam got under Will's transom and started to take him up away from the finish line. Sam thought he had enough room and shot away down hill, Will followed and a suspect gybe took the spinnaker into no mans land ruining their run and flicking a man into the drink.
Enjoy the images.
The Warren Jones International Youth Match Racing Regatta 2014
The 27th to the 31st of January 2014
It's Royal Freshwater Bay's turn this year.
It's Royal Freshwater Bay's turn this year.
Day One.
The Warren Jones 2014.
The first day on the water began with a solid easterly sweeping in and the course was set appropriately. The 8 yachts moved onto the water under Jays guidance and very shortly the course was set up. Twelve teams are competing including Will Tiller and David Gilmour, both former winners and a selection of young focused teams who have only one object in mind. Winning. Guys like Ash Rooklyn who has done well on the international stage and not to forget Tristan Brown who is looking good for this event. The four NZ teams have crossed the Tasman (and the Nullarbor) just to have a go at the prize and to try to pick up the Travellers Trophy on the way through. Then we have Poole from the USA and Ichikawa of Japan neither of them are slouches, though Chris Poole is the second highest ranker of the lot. The first round robin did not finish today owing to an unfortunate coming together by two competitors and the results were in the protest room as I left the building. Suffice to say there are only two clear winners so far. Chris Steele from NZ who sailed so well last year and local sailor Matt Jerwood from the South of Perth Yacht Club. Neither has been defeated so far. Some of the competitors have sailed as many as 8 flights, some as few as 5. Time will tell. Once the first round robin is completed then we will have a better picture of what is happening.
The pictures include some of the morning sailing when there was enough pressure to make it interesting. Then the light pressure sailors took to the fore and home knowledge was an advantage for most of the locals. We finish with some interesting images and reflections.
Enjoy the images
The pictures include some of the morning sailing when there was enough pressure to make it interesting. Then the light pressure sailors took to the fore and home knowledge was an advantage for most of the locals. We finish with some interesting images and reflections.
Enjoy the images
Day Two
The 2014 Warren Jones
The 2014 Warren Jones
The second day starts with a lot of sailing to be done and only Hughie in charge of the wind.
We start with a light Easterly in which we saw Matt Jerwood go down for the first and only time today. Damn he tried hard. Came back from way out the other end and made it hard for Chris Steele to take the match away from him. Then didn't lose a trick all day after that.
Otherwise lots of good work on the course with the breeze swinging into the south west after a short lunch break where everyone took the break offered. Jay Halligan had his work cut out. No bingles, but a mast top job to replace the suspending arm on the back stay, and lots of small things to keep him amused. The sponsors were out on the water as the 6th man on some of the boats and were subjected to some great sailing in a prestart between
two competitors who span the boats repeatedly around each other. All within meters of the change over boat. The crew on board were hollering and hooting. Good stuff.
As the wind built so did the risk , but it was genoa's all the way as they ploughed through the flights and they got to finish the full sheet of flights despite the hour break.
To finish off the day , Jerwood again featured in a fingernail biting finish. Ask him how he managed to complete a penalty and get over the line before his opponent. Only he knows.
We are back on the water at 0900 hrs tomorrow
enjoy the images
We start with a light Easterly in which we saw Matt Jerwood go down for the first and only time today. Damn he tried hard. Came back from way out the other end and made it hard for Chris Steele to take the match away from him. Then didn't lose a trick all day after that.
Otherwise lots of good work on the course with the breeze swinging into the south west after a short lunch break where everyone took the break offered. Jay Halligan had his work cut out. No bingles, but a mast top job to replace the suspending arm on the back stay, and lots of small things to keep him amused. The sponsors were out on the water as the 6th man on some of the boats and were subjected to some great sailing in a prestart between
two competitors who span the boats repeatedly around each other. All within meters of the change over boat. The crew on board were hollering and hooting. Good stuff.
As the wind built so did the risk , but it was genoa's all the way as they ploughed through the flights and they got to finish the full sheet of flights despite the hour break.
To finish off the day , Jerwood again featured in a fingernail biting finish. Ask him how he managed to complete a penalty and get over the line before his opponent. Only he knows.
We are back on the water at 0900 hrs tomorrow
enjoy the images
Day Three
The Warren Jones
It's 0800 hrs at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht club and the wind is idly flickering out of the east. The fisho's are laying crab pots out on the bay and they may be the only inhabitants for a while as there may not be enough wind to get things going. There will be a tightening of the second round robin I'm sure, but it's too early to make any predictions as by how much and to what extent.
Speaking to some of the sailors who were arriving for breakfast, they were tired but were in good spirits as they set themselves up for the morning. The light morning will mean hard work for the crews as they work to keep the boats moving and they will be constantly chasing the shifts on the water to stay ahead. "It's a lottery," one of them said with a grin. "And we intend to follow the wind as best as possible."
The reality cut in and within a short time we were watching the water glass out and we waited until the westerly crept over the ridge and showed itself. Around 10.30 if I remember correctly. By 11oo hrs. the start line was reset and the marks were set . Racing began again as the first attempt died a natural death in a failing easterly with Ichikawa being the only victim as the race was declared valid as they finished prior to the AP being hoisted.
I had to go to another venue, booked long ago. The images don't reflect what happened on the day, but the general set for the afternoon was a steady and building sea breeze. And better tomorrow.
Two Presentations today.
A selection of images from the morning and then a little bit of fun with the prestart of a D Gilmour / Rooklyn match and then Brown v Jerwood. Both from Wednesday.
Speaking to some of the sailors who were arriving for breakfast, they were tired but were in good spirits as they set themselves up for the morning. The light morning will mean hard work for the crews as they work to keep the boats moving and they will be constantly chasing the shifts on the water to stay ahead. "It's a lottery," one of them said with a grin. "And we intend to follow the wind as best as possible."
The reality cut in and within a short time we were watching the water glass out and we waited until the westerly crept over the ridge and showed itself. Around 10.30 if I remember correctly. By 11oo hrs. the start line was reset and the marks were set . Racing began again as the first attempt died a natural death in a failing easterly with Ichikawa being the only victim as the race was declared valid as they finished prior to the AP being hoisted.
I had to go to another venue, booked long ago. The images don't reflect what happened on the day, but the general set for the afternoon was a steady and building sea breeze. And better tomorrow.
Two Presentations today.
A selection of images from the morning and then a little bit of fun with the prestart of a D Gilmour / Rooklyn match and then Brown v Jerwood. Both from Wednesday.
Day Four
The Warren Jones.
It's day four and the breeze has decided to lie doggo for a while. The wind indicator outside the eyrie where we sit is indicating a breeze from the north quadrant but it's nothing to write home about.
Race officer John indicated there would be a wait until the breeze had settled in so it is a case of patience.
The quarter finals are up and we have the following pairs.
D Gilmour v Green; Steele v Poole; Jerwood v Brown, Sam Gilmour and Tiller.
The seabreeze comes in and we are off to the boats.
Great sailing had Dave Gilmour, Chris Steele and Matt Jerwood get up 2 - nil. Sam Gilmour got up after three matches with Tiller taking the second in a fine battle and Sam trumping him in the third.
Then the semi finals were sailed off with Dave Gilmour picking Matt Jerwood and Steele taking Sam Gilmour. The odds of an all Gilmour final was then put in place.( but then again if they had both lost..... no Gilmours) It wasn't to be and the Gilmour gang got through in short order, leaving Jerwood and Steele to take on the petite final.
An interesting moment occurred here when Matt Jerwood was facing up to Dave G in the first race of the semi's and found himself over board 2 minutes before the start . Quick work by the crew got him back on board and the race continued with Matt recovering quickly from his swim. Unfortunately Dave's boat was between the camera and Matt going MOB so all I got was the aftermath.
The finals and the presentations will be put up tomorrow .
Enjoy the images.
Race officer John indicated there would be a wait until the breeze had settled in so it is a case of patience.
The quarter finals are up and we have the following pairs.
D Gilmour v Green; Steele v Poole; Jerwood v Brown, Sam Gilmour and Tiller.
The seabreeze comes in and we are off to the boats.
Great sailing had Dave Gilmour, Chris Steele and Matt Jerwood get up 2 - nil. Sam Gilmour got up after three matches with Tiller taking the second in a fine battle and Sam trumping him in the third.
Then the semi finals were sailed off with Dave Gilmour picking Matt Jerwood and Steele taking Sam Gilmour. The odds of an all Gilmour final was then put in place.( but then again if they had both lost..... no Gilmours) It wasn't to be and the Gilmour gang got through in short order, leaving Jerwood and Steele to take on the petite final.
An interesting moment occurred here when Matt Jerwood was facing up to Dave G in the first race of the semi's and found himself over board 2 minutes before the start . Quick work by the crew got him back on board and the race continued with Matt recovering quickly from his swim. Unfortunately Dave's boat was between the camera and Matt going MOB so all I got was the aftermath.
The finals and the presentations will be put up tomorrow .
Enjoy the images.
The Finals and the petite finals
The finals and the petite finals were an event all to themselves.
The Final was a Gilmour affair and the petite final was indeed a battle royal as neither Steele or Jerwood was going to let go with out a good try.
The intention was to run the first of the petite finals to get them out of the way by the third race and so it began with both pairings getting away and Steele and David Gilmour won their races though Steele did it by only a few meters as Jerwood hounded him right to the line.
In the second race a coming together at the start between Jerwood and Steele damaged Steele's boat and the race was abandoned as he had to be given a new boat to sail with. Jerwood also lost a point in the process. This took the two combatants out of action for a while.
During this period the second of the finals was played out and despite Sam's hard work he was again rolled by David. The third race ensued and the senior of the two Gilmours took the race and the Warren Jones regatta.
Meanwhile the petite finals grew more interesting. The second race was eventually replayed and although Jerwood won it, it accounted for nothing thanks to the loss of a point. And that information came through at the end of the race not prior to the start. The ball was then in the Jerwood court again. Win the next one or lose. Which he promptly did.
It was now around 5.15pm and Steele was having troubles with the steering on his boat. ( it surfaced in the earlier races) Time ticked by and eventually we were notified that racing had been brought to a halt. It was over and the results were as they stood. Steele took third on a count back and Jerwood took a fourth.
The results were David Gilmour as the Warren Jones winner, his brother Sam second, Steele third and Jerwood fourth. Steele also took the Travellers award as the highest finishing visiting competitor.
My thanks to Swan River Sailing who carted me around on the water, RFBYC for such a magnificent clubhouse and their volunteers who made it happen. To the chief ump John Standley and his team and the race team headed by RO John Taylor many thanks, without you it wouldn't happen. And to the competitors all. Well sailed.
The Final was a Gilmour affair and the petite final was indeed a battle royal as neither Steele or Jerwood was going to let go with out a good try.
The intention was to run the first of the petite finals to get them out of the way by the third race and so it began with both pairings getting away and Steele and David Gilmour won their races though Steele did it by only a few meters as Jerwood hounded him right to the line.
In the second race a coming together at the start between Jerwood and Steele damaged Steele's boat and the race was abandoned as he had to be given a new boat to sail with. Jerwood also lost a point in the process. This took the two combatants out of action for a while.
During this period the second of the finals was played out and despite Sam's hard work he was again rolled by David. The third race ensued and the senior of the two Gilmours took the race and the Warren Jones regatta.
Meanwhile the petite finals grew more interesting. The second race was eventually replayed and although Jerwood won it, it accounted for nothing thanks to the loss of a point. And that information came through at the end of the race not prior to the start. The ball was then in the Jerwood court again. Win the next one or lose. Which he promptly did.
It was now around 5.15pm and Steele was having troubles with the steering on his boat. ( it surfaced in the earlier races) Time ticked by and eventually we were notified that racing had been brought to a halt. It was over and the results were as they stood. Steele took third on a count back and Jerwood took a fourth.
The results were David Gilmour as the Warren Jones winner, his brother Sam second, Steele third and Jerwood fourth. Steele also took the Travellers award as the highest finishing visiting competitor.
My thanks to Swan River Sailing who carted me around on the water, RFBYC for such a magnificent clubhouse and their volunteers who made it happen. To the chief ump John Standley and his team and the race team headed by RO John Taylor many thanks, without you it wouldn't happen. And to the competitors all. Well sailed.
The Presentations
The Warren Jones International Youth Match Racing Regatta 2013
Run by Swan River Racing, the Warren Jones is a premier event on the Swan river with the naming of the event after Warren Jones a well known WA sailing identity and prominent business man in Perth. It was only fitting that after his untimely passing in 2002, that his name was put on the event that recognises the best of sailing on the Swan River. Since 2003 the event has been surrounded by brilliant sailors and the competition has been of the highest level .
Held at both of the Royal clubs in Perth, in alternate years, it is now the turn of the Royal Perth Yacht Club to host the event and it is a credit to both clubs that they are able to work together so well in holding the events, with the assistance of Swan River Racing and the Warren Jones Foundation. The event runs from the 28th of January to the 1st of February with the round robin starting on Tuesday the 29th of January.
The event is on Matilda Bay and viewing is from all around the bay, using Hackett Drive and Mounts Bay Road as viewing areas. Sailing will commence from 1000 hrs and usually finish around 1700 hrs subject to the breeze available.
Held at both of the Royal clubs in Perth, in alternate years, it is now the turn of the Royal Perth Yacht Club to host the event and it is a credit to both clubs that they are able to work together so well in holding the events, with the assistance of Swan River Racing and the Warren Jones Foundation. The event runs from the 28th of January to the 1st of February with the round robin starting on Tuesday the 29th of January.
The event is on Matilda Bay and viewing is from all around the bay, using Hackett Drive and Mounts Bay Road as viewing areas. Sailing will commence from 1000 hrs and usually finish around 1700 hrs subject to the breeze available.
To whet your appetite..
Here are highlights from the petit final and final from 2012
Day one of the Warren Jones
The day opened with glorious sunshine and a nor easter that blew steadily during the morning. By 1100 hrs the first flight was well under way and the usual suspects were seen lurking around the startline. The Gilmour bros, Sam and David were in flight with David contemplating a come back against his brothers upset win against him last year. Thomas, Morrison and Brown were ready to re-open their accounts from the Little Wheel of the previous week and Griffen and Spithall were back on familiar territory from past years. The Warren Jones welcomes Steele, Dermawan and Coltman to the players on the Swan.
The 2nd flight began as the seabreeze began to make it's presence felt and as the breeze settled in, so racing began in earnest. The hilight of the early flights was the anticipated meeting between Sam and David and in Flight 3 David put the kookaburra's to rest with a good win over his brother.
The 2nd flight began as the seabreeze began to make it's presence felt and as the breeze settled in, so racing began in earnest. The hilight of the early flights was the anticipated meeting between Sam and David and in Flight 3 David put the kookaburra's to rest with a good win over his brother.
Day Two
As a sometimes working man, I was committed to other matters but it is clear from the results of the second day that David Gilmour has been confirming his grip on the top of the table. Below him both Steele and Brown have held their own comfortably and in the second round robin, it was Tristian Brown, who managed to roll D Gilmour. The rest of the field has lower numbers with Thomas 8 wins leading S Gilmour 7 wins and Morrison and Griffin both on 6. The third day promises Easterlies for most of the day.
Go to this url for up to date results http://www.wayf.org.au/WJI/wj_results.asp
Go to this url for up to date results http://www.wayf.org.au/WJI/wj_results.asp
Day Three
As I sit at home the Easterlies are whipping through the trees and on line we have a steady 10 to 15 knots out of the east on the water. The rest of this account will be filled in once I return from the water.
A day full of the easterlies. Surprisingly consistent with fluctuations in strength, the breeze gradually tracked over to the south and as the afternoon grew on, so the breeze started to strengthen a little.
The day was Dave Gilmours as he swept through the round robins, dropping one to Brown and then through the Q finals, predictably picking the least ranked in order to ascertain a clean finish. Brown , showing the strength that he has had all through the regatta so far, has held his own with 5 drops in the 18 flights. Steele again has proved his ability and will be a player in the semi's and finals, managing to roll Griffin in the 5th flight of the Qfinals . Steve Thomas is a gritty player and has a never say die attitude. He and Sam Gilmour had to fight it out in the Q finals and at the end of the first two flights he was down two. With a foredeckie running like the Eveready battery , Steve managed to run Sam down in the next two and the 5th flight was a gem. No room was left and he stayed in phase though the flight.
Well done to the teams that bowed out and Spithill was heard to remark that Little Creatures sounded like a good spot to be that night. To Morrison, Griffin, Spithill, Dermewan, Coltman and S Gilmour the sailing was great and to the younger teams the experience was invaluable. I do feel for Sam Gilmour as he came up against some one with a mission to acconmplish. If any one is going to be the one you would like to back as a rough chance, Steve Thomas may just be the one.
A day full of the easterlies. Surprisingly consistent with fluctuations in strength, the breeze gradually tracked over to the south and as the afternoon grew on, so the breeze started to strengthen a little.
The day was Dave Gilmours as he swept through the round robins, dropping one to Brown and then through the Q finals, predictably picking the least ranked in order to ascertain a clean finish. Brown , showing the strength that he has had all through the regatta so far, has held his own with 5 drops in the 18 flights. Steele again has proved his ability and will be a player in the semi's and finals, managing to roll Griffin in the 5th flight of the Qfinals . Steve Thomas is a gritty player and has a never say die attitude. He and Sam Gilmour had to fight it out in the Q finals and at the end of the first two flights he was down two. With a foredeckie running like the Eveready battery , Steve managed to run Sam down in the next two and the 5th flight was a gem. No room was left and he stayed in phase though the flight.
Well done to the teams that bowed out and Spithill was heard to remark that Little Creatures sounded like a good spot to be that night. To Morrison, Griffin, Spithill, Dermewan, Coltman and S Gilmour the sailing was great and to the younger teams the experience was invaluable. I do feel for Sam Gilmour as he came up against some one with a mission to acconmplish. If any one is going to be the one you would like to back as a rough chance, Steve Thomas may just be the one.
The 4th Day am Semi finals
Started with an easterly and died right off as the seabreeze struggle to push it's way in. However in the period that the Easterly blew, the semi finals were held and any tears that were to be spilt were done and dusted as the selection was as brutal as to be expected.
The Petit final and the Final
After the delay caused by the change in breezes, we sallied forth onto the water again with the firm knowledge that only 4 boats had to fight it out and very quickly Steele managed to put one up on D Gilmour with some clever work picking the shifts ( well done Annabelle) that resulted in a one nil score line after the first race. The machine got going again and very quickly the Gilmour gang were 2-1 and Steele was sent to the petit finals.The same happened in the Brown -Thomas affair with Tristan taking it 2-1. The results then meant that Gilmour and Brown were to fight it out over 5 flights for the final and Steele and Thomas were to decide the petit finals in what might be described as champagne sailing conditions.
The seabreeze had settled into a steady 8 to 12 knots and the gusts were predominately down the left hand side . I said predominately, as occasionally one would come down the centre. Steele and Thomas went one each and then Steele used a trick in the prestart that has come back from the worlds . It simply means lowering your jib in order to control the movement of your boat into the wind. It's over in seconds, but it means a boat length in the prestart. Game over... no-one makes mistakes at this level and lives. Well sailed Steele.
The Gilmour - Brown battle went to 2 - 1 favouring Gilmour and then Brown was unfortunate enough to be over the line on the start ( well done Gilmour ) and had to return across the line. No mistakes and although Tristan Brown kept on his tail the result was clear. Dave Gilmour had taken the championship.
My thanks to the Warren Jones regatta organisers; Skip Lissman and his merry crew from Swan River Sailing, the sponsors and to Tim Castles who took me around the river putting me in places in front of the Foundation 36's where most people will not get to.
This is the 3rd Warren Jones I have attended and I have a log of images that may be of interest. Contact me through the contact page and I will be happy to do a search, with the proviso that you are a a skipper from one of the years I have covered.