The first stage of the 2017 World Match Racing Tour
at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
20th to the 25th of March.
Once again the WMRT comes to WA. Fantastic... and the chances of some really good sailing and excellent time on the water or from the jetties, watching these fabulous cats on the water. Three days of fleet racing and then into the match racing where sheer luck will play a part as well as the already acknowledged skills these sailors have.
The weather promises a bit of rain during the six days, but there will always be a breeze and that's really all we want.
This page is set up for the people of the river to look at and enjoy the madness of the next few days. As usual the current day will be on top and as each day progresses I'll put up images and incorporate a small review of the day.
Please be patient as this is a one man show and I don't tweet or FB... everything is seen through the lens of the camera and my own, sometimes skewed sense of humour.
The weather promises a bit of rain during the six days, but there will always be a breeze and that's really all we want.
This page is set up for the people of the river to look at and enjoy the madness of the next few days. As usual the current day will be on top and as each day progresses I'll put up images and incorporate a small review of the day.
Please be patient as this is a one man show and I don't tweet or FB... everything is seen through the lens of the camera and my own, sometimes skewed sense of humour.
Saturday the 25th of March
Three cheers for the river teams.
I wish I could say that it was a local crew that got up and whipped the Perth Match Racing Tour trophy out of the hands of the current world champion, but it wasn't to be.
For starters, we didn't have those boisterous seabreezes that we get early in the season and the gentle sou wester that came in was suited to tactical, clinical sailing and Phil Robertson was going to do just that. In fact the breeze didn't come in until the afternoon and the morning was spent drinking coffee and chatting to other like minded people on the lawn.
Then the racing got going.
With one of the races in the semis going to David Gilmour yesterday, there was a hope that he could pull one out of the hat and roll Phil Robertson, but it wasn't to be. Three races in a row showed David just what he was up against and Phil, if I remember correctly has done that before to him in the Warren Jones a few years ago.
Matt had Torvar Mirsky at hand and Torvar had a fine team of Freshie lads on board with him including Lachy Gilmour and Cameron Seagreen, both young men with fine futures. Torvar has been working the smaller races getting back into trim again and despite his claims to have had only 18 hours on the M32's, he has shown no mercy to those of equal standing ( Dackhammar and Guichard ). Torvar went down in three to Matt and managed to make up in the petit finals by defeating Dave Gilmour and coming from behind in a best to two race scenario to take third in the match racing.
The finals were won in the pre starts with Matt falling foul of Robertson's ability to get under his lee again and picking up a foul at least once during the starts. From then on; it was chase your tail...you weren't going to catch him once he was away and in the soft breezes, all Phil had to do was to read the water and keep between the next mark and his opponent.
However there was a bumper crowd on the hill at Freshy to watch the racing and no better a natural amphitheater could be found. Casual glances back up into the hill spoke of hundreds of people watching and the twitterspace and FB live were humming. A good day for the river and congratulations to Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht club for pulling off a great week on the water. Well done to Skip Lissiman and his team for the event and all the volunteers who put it together. My particular thanks to the various people who carted me around and I'd like to single out David and Mike Taylor for their work in moving the TV and stills guys around on the water. Wonderful hosts.
The images include the presentations and yes I was a little late getting there. They had a broadcast window of 10 minutes to do the lot. They made it, but it was close.
Yes the images are for sale, contact me and see what I can do for you.
Until the next time.
Three cheers for the river teams.
I wish I could say that it was a local crew that got up and whipped the Perth Match Racing Tour trophy out of the hands of the current world champion, but it wasn't to be.
For starters, we didn't have those boisterous seabreezes that we get early in the season and the gentle sou wester that came in was suited to tactical, clinical sailing and Phil Robertson was going to do just that. In fact the breeze didn't come in until the afternoon and the morning was spent drinking coffee and chatting to other like minded people on the lawn.
Then the racing got going.
With one of the races in the semis going to David Gilmour yesterday, there was a hope that he could pull one out of the hat and roll Phil Robertson, but it wasn't to be. Three races in a row showed David just what he was up against and Phil, if I remember correctly has done that before to him in the Warren Jones a few years ago.
Matt had Torvar Mirsky at hand and Torvar had a fine team of Freshie lads on board with him including Lachy Gilmour and Cameron Seagreen, both young men with fine futures. Torvar has been working the smaller races getting back into trim again and despite his claims to have had only 18 hours on the M32's, he has shown no mercy to those of equal standing ( Dackhammar and Guichard ). Torvar went down in three to Matt and managed to make up in the petit finals by defeating Dave Gilmour and coming from behind in a best to two race scenario to take third in the match racing.
The finals were won in the pre starts with Matt falling foul of Robertson's ability to get under his lee again and picking up a foul at least once during the starts. From then on; it was chase your tail...you weren't going to catch him once he was away and in the soft breezes, all Phil had to do was to read the water and keep between the next mark and his opponent.
However there was a bumper crowd on the hill at Freshy to watch the racing and no better a natural amphitheater could be found. Casual glances back up into the hill spoke of hundreds of people watching and the twitterspace and FB live were humming. A good day for the river and congratulations to Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht club for pulling off a great week on the water. Well done to Skip Lissiman and his team for the event and all the volunteers who put it together. My particular thanks to the various people who carted me around and I'd like to single out David and Mike Taylor for their work in moving the TV and stills guys around on the water. Wonderful hosts.
The images include the presentations and yes I was a little late getting there. They had a broadcast window of 10 minutes to do the lot. They made it, but it was close.
Yes the images are for sale, contact me and see what I can do for you.
Until the next time.
Friday the 24th of March
Bending Steele
You guessed it. Matt got up and beat Chris Steele. Two down , Chris threw the works at him and showed that a multi hull is capable of pre start manoeuvres. Not only once , but again in the next start. Lesson learnt and Matt was very careful not to let Chris get under his lee hull in the prestart for the 5th and final race. With a fit and focused team, the rest was simple... stay ahead and that they did. I'd had to bolt for land prior to the 5th race as I was due elsewhere, but I couldn't stop from watching the race on the monitors upstairs in the media room and I cheered along with the rest of the hill at Freshie as he soared across the line.
As for the rest of the locals, Tovar defeated Guichard 3/1 and Dave Gilmour took on Canfield and again took it 3/1.
The unfortunate Steve Thomas had to contend with Phil Robertson who is a long time visitor to WA and Perth Waters. Sorry Steve, but the fellow is good. But a 1/3 result is livable with.
I was glad to see 6 boats in the marina this morning, so we are now in a strong position in case of breakages.
We started with a light sou wester that built through out the day and a couple of moments of inattention from the media control allowed us to wander over the course and photograph at random. Excellent. The breeze continued to build until they threw a reef into the mains and we noticed the red sailed boat withdraw abruptly, apparently with winch problems. Ok ... out came the yellow sailed boat and was handed over to Chris Steele without comment.
RFBYC has a new security system in place. In the morning we had the SAS practicing further up the river with the big ribs and a mother ship. Then in the afternoon along came the Blackhawk helicopters and they continued to comb the ridges and bays around our area. We could use them down around Applecross.
Saturday will encompass the semis , the petit finals and the finals...who will be the winner?
Enjoy the images. ( Please note that Saturdays images will not be up till late Sunday.)
Bending Steele
You guessed it. Matt got up and beat Chris Steele. Two down , Chris threw the works at him and showed that a multi hull is capable of pre start manoeuvres. Not only once , but again in the next start. Lesson learnt and Matt was very careful not to let Chris get under his lee hull in the prestart for the 5th and final race. With a fit and focused team, the rest was simple... stay ahead and that they did. I'd had to bolt for land prior to the 5th race as I was due elsewhere, but I couldn't stop from watching the race on the monitors upstairs in the media room and I cheered along with the rest of the hill at Freshie as he soared across the line.
As for the rest of the locals, Tovar defeated Guichard 3/1 and Dave Gilmour took on Canfield and again took it 3/1.
The unfortunate Steve Thomas had to contend with Phil Robertson who is a long time visitor to WA and Perth Waters. Sorry Steve, but the fellow is good. But a 1/3 result is livable with.
I was glad to see 6 boats in the marina this morning, so we are now in a strong position in case of breakages.
We started with a light sou wester that built through out the day and a couple of moments of inattention from the media control allowed us to wander over the course and photograph at random. Excellent. The breeze continued to build until they threw a reef into the mains and we noticed the red sailed boat withdraw abruptly, apparently with winch problems. Ok ... out came the yellow sailed boat and was handed over to Chris Steele without comment.
RFBYC has a new security system in place. In the morning we had the SAS practicing further up the river with the big ribs and a mother ship. Then in the afternoon along came the Blackhawk helicopters and they continued to comb the ridges and bays around our area. We could use them down around Applecross.
Saturday will encompass the semis , the petit finals and the finals...who will be the winner?
Enjoy the images. ( Please note that Saturdays images will not be up till late Sunday.)
Thursday the 23rd of March
Fortunately the Pro Am was on this morning, so my late arrival was not even noticed amongst the throng setting up for the last of the qualifiers. "The Super 16 Round" . We had on show Minsky vs. Dackhammar, Robertson vs. Holmberg and Thomas vs. Sehested. As we were loading up, I spoke to a local skipper who was a little disconcerted about the fact that live streaming on FB meant that everyone could see his moves on the water and research them. No problems mate.. home work time for you. Start sorting the others out.
The round began slowly with kickoff around 1.15 pm and the breeze was a comfortable sou wester of about 10 to 15 knots. Sure it was probably a bit more down the river, but protected as we were in the bay, it was only when you went out to the channel that there was something on offer with a bit of grunt.
Given the breakage rate recently, it was good to see that there were 6 boats in the pens this morning and all were to be in use. No short straws, just take the boat and sail it. I'll not beat around the bush. It was convincing to watch Steve Thomas take out Sehested in three straight runs and the media follower beside me was bemoaning the fact that he would have to put up with four rather irked sailors. He was also the one who mentioned that the over seas sailors weren't used to full ( well used ) sails and hadn't gotten up to speed with them. They expected flat. But the locals were used to them. Go figure.
As to Torvar Minsky. The honeymoon kid ( his words ). Claimed that he was still in the honeymoon period and that everything was just dandy. I think that we're forgetting that he's an accomplished match racer, sailor and kite man. He's also picked some damn fine blokes to sail with including the youngest Gilmour.
Steve Thomas. Quiet bloke, just prefers to be himself. Sails a moth really well and has been on the helm of practically anything that floats. He's been sailing these cats for a while now and again, he's got a good team behind him.
Phil Robertson. Current world champ. What can you say? To think that Holmberg took the first one off him is a real pat on the back for Holmberg. Then he got firmly put in his place.
The rest. Couldn't think more highly of Matt Jerwood, Chris Steele, Taylor Canfield and Dave Gilmour. Perth has four qualifiers in the quarters and every chance of putting a couple at least into the semis. And according to the draw, not one local has been set against another.
Win or lose, Friday is the big one for the Swan River.
Fortunately the Pro Am was on this morning, so my late arrival was not even noticed amongst the throng setting up for the last of the qualifiers. "The Super 16 Round" . We had on show Minsky vs. Dackhammar, Robertson vs. Holmberg and Thomas vs. Sehested. As we were loading up, I spoke to a local skipper who was a little disconcerted about the fact that live streaming on FB meant that everyone could see his moves on the water and research them. No problems mate.. home work time for you. Start sorting the others out.
The round began slowly with kickoff around 1.15 pm and the breeze was a comfortable sou wester of about 10 to 15 knots. Sure it was probably a bit more down the river, but protected as we were in the bay, it was only when you went out to the channel that there was something on offer with a bit of grunt.
Given the breakage rate recently, it was good to see that there were 6 boats in the pens this morning and all were to be in use. No short straws, just take the boat and sail it. I'll not beat around the bush. It was convincing to watch Steve Thomas take out Sehested in three straight runs and the media follower beside me was bemoaning the fact that he would have to put up with four rather irked sailors. He was also the one who mentioned that the over seas sailors weren't used to full ( well used ) sails and hadn't gotten up to speed with them. They expected flat. But the locals were used to them. Go figure.
As to Torvar Minsky. The honeymoon kid ( his words ). Claimed that he was still in the honeymoon period and that everything was just dandy. I think that we're forgetting that he's an accomplished match racer, sailor and kite man. He's also picked some damn fine blokes to sail with including the youngest Gilmour.
Steve Thomas. Quiet bloke, just prefers to be himself. Sails a moth really well and has been on the helm of practically anything that floats. He's been sailing these cats for a while now and again, he's got a good team behind him.
Phil Robertson. Current world champ. What can you say? To think that Holmberg took the first one off him is a real pat on the back for Holmberg. Then he got firmly put in his place.
The rest. Couldn't think more highly of Matt Jerwood, Chris Steele, Taylor Canfield and Dave Gilmour. Perth has four qualifiers in the quarters and every chance of putting a couple at least into the semis. And according to the draw, not one local has been set against another.
Win or lose, Friday is the big one for the Swan River.
Wednesday the 22nd of March
Arriving late in the morning, the prime need was to catch up with the goings on so far. Much to my surprise I saw a M32 on the pier being readied for a tow back to Mounts Bay. Broken rudder gudgeons. So three boats down. Jumped on board the camera boat and we were out on the water again in a nor wester that was coming in around 11 to 17 knots on pretty flat water. Swirling a little as it came over the hill at the back of the bay, it was still a breeze to get the boats up and running and they were carrying a full main for the day. Made for some interesting sailing too. This was the first of the knockout series where either you did or you didn't make it into the quarter finals and Jerwood was paired up with Williams. Hmmmmm! Steele came back from 2 down to take Warrer and Guichard took out Sam Gilmour in straight races. Dave G. however, rolled Walker giving away one race after winning two straight up. But he had the gumption to come right back and win the fourth race. Meanwhile Canfield wasted no time in taking out yesterdays come back kid Postma with a three race wipe out.
While we were off the track for a reload of batteries for the TV camera, another M32 was damaged/ taken out. As I've no knowledge of the actual cause; all I can report is a broken rig and another boat to be towed back to Mounts Bay for repairs. But I can say that I overheard a comment from a M32 official in that "all they need is two boats for the final....."
Seriously I've seen the Foundation 36's take a far worse beating than these boats have and keep on sailing, but I guess when you're sailing on such highly tuned rigs as these, this sort of stuff happens.
The conclusion of the Round of 16 happens on Thursday. I'll be there.
Arriving late in the morning, the prime need was to catch up with the goings on so far. Much to my surprise I saw a M32 on the pier being readied for a tow back to Mounts Bay. Broken rudder gudgeons. So three boats down. Jumped on board the camera boat and we were out on the water again in a nor wester that was coming in around 11 to 17 knots on pretty flat water. Swirling a little as it came over the hill at the back of the bay, it was still a breeze to get the boats up and running and they were carrying a full main for the day. Made for some interesting sailing too. This was the first of the knockout series where either you did or you didn't make it into the quarter finals and Jerwood was paired up with Williams. Hmmmmm! Steele came back from 2 down to take Warrer and Guichard took out Sam Gilmour in straight races. Dave G. however, rolled Walker giving away one race after winning two straight up. But he had the gumption to come right back and win the fourth race. Meanwhile Canfield wasted no time in taking out yesterdays come back kid Postma with a three race wipe out.
While we were off the track for a reload of batteries for the TV camera, another M32 was damaged/ taken out. As I've no knowledge of the actual cause; all I can report is a broken rig and another boat to be towed back to Mounts Bay for repairs. But I can say that I overheard a comment from a M32 official in that "all they need is two boats for the final....."
Seriously I've seen the Foundation 36's take a far worse beating than these boats have and keep on sailing, but I guess when you're sailing on such highly tuned rigs as these, this sort of stuff happens.
The conclusion of the Round of 16 happens on Thursday. I'll be there.
Tuesday the 21st of March
Hooray, they opened the gates and I could park inside. Big plus when you've got to cart in camera's, laptops etc.
Set up by 0915 and around the jetty by 0930. Stop and talk to odd sods and bods and commiserate with Robo who was set up outside to do his tweeting, from the verandah of the Athol Hobbs room up top where the media people are set up. "Cold and wet already" was the report. Oh well.
The breeze was whistling in already with the easterly bringing spots of rain, but no big showers. We were waiting for the breeze to go left into the north for that, but apart from the occasional shift, it wasn't happening.
The rib I was on yesterday was in use so the option of the TV media rib was open until they requested it, so away we went with the camera man (Brian) from the Ewii team. A charming Irishman with a wicked sense of humour kept us amused all morning until he watched his team captained by Nicolai Sehested manage to fall over and break a bowsprit and in the same incident, Sally Barkow took out her starboard rack on his boat. Somehow...I don't know as yet. " Oh well" Brian said, as he packed up the cameras. "That's me for the day". No sail, no images.
And so the day progressed with the company of various camera men and the WMRT staff TV camera man on the boat. His needs were different to mine, but we got great starts and finishes, including mad dashes in-between.
To the racing: Chris Steele and Yann Guichard didn't get a run today owing to the two boats out of action and were given averaged points for the next four races. This left Steele siting behind only Canfield with ( in my opinion ) Robertson, Thomas and Jerwood in that order. The scoring differs from my view and I will amend it if necessary.
The Gilmours are very much part of the game as are Torvar, Walker and Williams, though Ian is further down the wishing list that I'd care to see.
As to the battles on the water....probably too busy with the camera. But I did see Ian Williams fall over. Watch the sequence and see how he did it.
Till tomorrow.
Hooray, they opened the gates and I could park inside. Big plus when you've got to cart in camera's, laptops etc.
Set up by 0915 and around the jetty by 0930. Stop and talk to odd sods and bods and commiserate with Robo who was set up outside to do his tweeting, from the verandah of the Athol Hobbs room up top where the media people are set up. "Cold and wet already" was the report. Oh well.
The breeze was whistling in already with the easterly bringing spots of rain, but no big showers. We were waiting for the breeze to go left into the north for that, but apart from the occasional shift, it wasn't happening.
The rib I was on yesterday was in use so the option of the TV media rib was open until they requested it, so away we went with the camera man (Brian) from the Ewii team. A charming Irishman with a wicked sense of humour kept us amused all morning until he watched his team captained by Nicolai Sehested manage to fall over and break a bowsprit and in the same incident, Sally Barkow took out her starboard rack on his boat. Somehow...I don't know as yet. " Oh well" Brian said, as he packed up the cameras. "That's me for the day". No sail, no images.
And so the day progressed with the company of various camera men and the WMRT staff TV camera man on the boat. His needs were different to mine, but we got great starts and finishes, including mad dashes in-between.
To the racing: Chris Steele and Yann Guichard didn't get a run today owing to the two boats out of action and were given averaged points for the next four races. This left Steele siting behind only Canfield with ( in my opinion ) Robertson, Thomas and Jerwood in that order. The scoring differs from my view and I will amend it if necessary.
The Gilmours are very much part of the game as are Torvar, Walker and Williams, though Ian is further down the wishing list that I'd care to see.
As to the battles on the water....probably too busy with the camera. But I did see Ian Williams fall over. Watch the sequence and see how he did it.
Till tomorrow.
Monday the 20th of March
Bump in day.
As I wandered into the RFBYC precincts, the set up around the club was fantastic. Placards, tents, big screens, "optimum viewing" signs and a plethora of staff busily running around setting up. And then I went up stairs to the Athol Hobbs room where a full on set up for the media crew was alive and humming. Screens flickered, audio hummed discreetly and the chatter of twenty voices full of their own life erupted around me.
I found a quite corner and settled in. Ahh! friends outside, have a chat and then get introduced to the media man.
Coffee is important and there was just enough in a flask downstairs, so I hi jacked it and met up with others of a similar mind to discuss the day. Media boats are rare and few between and the pecking order for a privateer is pretty low on the social order. Lucky I've got friends on the river.
So away we went and the wait was on until the RO got the course set up to his satisfaction and then sent the first set of six boats away. Steele, Jerwood, Sam G, Robertson and even Dackhammar and Postma. No room for weaklings here and in a shifty easterly that swirled around the corner of the bay, by the end of the first set it was Sam G and Dackhammar sharing 5th place. The second group had Sally Barkow contesting against Canfield, Sehested, Thomas, Dave G. and Warrer. Again she showed fighting spirit and left Sehested in 6th position at the end of the set. The third group was a real treat with Tovar Mirsky returning to defend his name against Williams of GAC Pindar. To make their racing harder we had Guichard, Holmberg , Walker and Anyon (who has been mentioned favourably recently on this website). This was pure technical sailing in seriously light winds and the results showed.
Guichard one point ahead of both Williams and Mirsky with Anyon at the bottom hoping to recreate the magic of last week. He's got all of tomorrow to do it.
We have fleet racing until close of business on Wednesday and the last few drop off. Then it goes into the match racing on Thursday. By then everyone will have had a taste of the river and the fun begins.
Not many photo's today.. it's a case of seeing what's available and where I can get to.
Bump in day.
As I wandered into the RFBYC precincts, the set up around the club was fantastic. Placards, tents, big screens, "optimum viewing" signs and a plethora of staff busily running around setting up. And then I went up stairs to the Athol Hobbs room where a full on set up for the media crew was alive and humming. Screens flickered, audio hummed discreetly and the chatter of twenty voices full of their own life erupted around me.
I found a quite corner and settled in. Ahh! friends outside, have a chat and then get introduced to the media man.
Coffee is important and there was just enough in a flask downstairs, so I hi jacked it and met up with others of a similar mind to discuss the day. Media boats are rare and few between and the pecking order for a privateer is pretty low on the social order. Lucky I've got friends on the river.
So away we went and the wait was on until the RO got the course set up to his satisfaction and then sent the first set of six boats away. Steele, Jerwood, Sam G, Robertson and even Dackhammar and Postma. No room for weaklings here and in a shifty easterly that swirled around the corner of the bay, by the end of the first set it was Sam G and Dackhammar sharing 5th place. The second group had Sally Barkow contesting against Canfield, Sehested, Thomas, Dave G. and Warrer. Again she showed fighting spirit and left Sehested in 6th position at the end of the set. The third group was a real treat with Tovar Mirsky returning to defend his name against Williams of GAC Pindar. To make their racing harder we had Guichard, Holmberg , Walker and Anyon (who has been mentioned favourably recently on this website). This was pure technical sailing in seriously light winds and the results showed.
Guichard one point ahead of both Williams and Mirsky with Anyon at the bottom hoping to recreate the magic of last week. He's got all of tomorrow to do it.
We have fleet racing until close of business on Wednesday and the last few drop off. Then it goes into the match racing on Thursday. By then everyone will have had a taste of the river and the fun begins.
Not many photo's today.. it's a case of seeing what's available and where I can get to.