Australian Optimist Sailing Team European Championship Piran, Slovenia. 4 - 12 July, 2009

European Champs is over. A great experience

2009-07-12T03:19:00.000-07:00

PICTURE: Zoe (UK), India (US, Charlotte (NZL) and Ragna

Two races were held in light conditions on the last day. Sam had a good day and advanced in the overall standings, in the top half of the fleet. The girls had more difficulties, but Ragna also kept her position in the top half of the fleet. Well done to both.

Maia and Georgia had an aggressive day on the start line with three OCS out of four possible. If nothing else, this Championship has sharpened their starting skills :-)

The Germans made a clean sweap with both the best boy and the best girl. Paulina, the very nice best German girl, almost came to Mandurah last year. The three German girls all came top 5 in the Girls class.

Our friend Malcolm from the US came third in the open Boy Class. He is only 12 and a very talented sailor. Watch that space ! The best Norwegian girl Karianne came 10th. This was her third and last European Championship, and the second best Norwegian result since Siren Sundby (Gold in Europe Class, Athens) won here 12 years ago.)

The evening was spent with some inter - team bonding and prize giving ceremony. Our team traded Australian gear with other teams and all had a really good time. De rigging etc went easy when you have charter boats, no damage to any of the boats.

Ryan will write a few more words when he has time. He is off to Malta and the Euro Cup in Laser in Sweden

See you soon !

We have had interest from several coacvhes to bring a team to Adelaide, which would be great for us.

GIRLS

1 GER 12302 Rothlauf Paulina 23,0 (7) 3 3 (8) 1 2 2 5 4 1 2
2 POL 1384 Piasecka Sara 37,0 7 1 13 1 3 (18) 2 1 3 (28) 6
3 ITA 7621 Russo Cirillo Francesca 42,0 2 5 (13) 5 10 1 (28) 2 12 1 4
4 GER 12370 Cipra Finja 56,0 (23) 15 3 1 3 7 4 3 4 16 (ocs)
5 GER 12010 Matthiesen Annika 57,0 12 1 1 3 4 15 (40) 7 7 (16) 7
6 TUR 17 Yentur Zeynep 66,0 11 2 12 4 2 (30) 1 7 1 26 (29)
7 GRE 1976 Drosou Maria 72,0 4 17 25 2 9 (34) 3 5 (ocs) 5 2
8 FRA 1930 Poret Jennifer 75,0 1 3 (27) 6 8 3 22 24 (ocs) 7 1
9 SLO 329 Janezic Lea 78,0 21 18 (23) 3 6 8 1 2 6 (23) 13
10 NOR 3615 Hammarstroem Karianne 90,0 (29) 5 5 5 20 (23) 6 4 16 17 12
…..
52 AUS 541 Agerup Ragna 190,0 (48) (39) 26 22 23 4 27 18 10 37 23
81 AUS 559 Thompson Georgia 301,0 42 28 32 36 24 (ocs) 30 32 26 (ocs) ocs
86 AUS 542 Agerup Maia 310,0 43 34 29 37 34 (46) 34 39 18 (ocs) 42

BOYS

1 GER 12337 Hibler Maximilian 52,0 8 3 5 2 7 3 (bfd) 1 5 (19) 18
2 HUN 151 Vadnai Benjamin 61,0 5 16 6 (23) 2 2 5 6 (21) 12 7
3 USA 15462 Lamphere Malcolm 63,0 5 2 16 (22) 9 8 7 12 (45) 1 3
4 POL 1526 Lipski Konrad 65,0 11 (46) 5 17 1 (bfd) 2 4 5 8 12
5 POL 1373 Florek Filip 74,0 (30) 9 (17) 1 12 15 12 5 9 5 6
6 NED 2889 Sonnema Wouter 84,0 15 6 18 1 2 (35) 9 2 8 (29) 23
7 ITA 7488 Ferrighi Stefano 86,0 10 4 10 5 26 (32) 11 8 4 (34) 8
8 FRA 79 Fortune Arthur 87,0 (ocs) 11 (27) 12 20 1 11 2 9 19 2
9 TUR 674 Birincioglu Mustafa Sergen 92,0 11 7 24 10 5 3 10 (42) 2 20 (44)
10 GRE 1525 Magouras Alexandros 100,0 4 3 3 26 (27) 14 19 1 10 (31) 20
….
73 AUS 556 Blackburn Sam 287,0 58 8 (70) 39 30 (64) 45 25 20 23 39

Se full results on:

http://www.sailpiran.si/eoc2009/

Day 6 - A good day

2009-07-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

3 races in 12 - 15 knots. Our best day so far with pretty consistent results. Sam had a 20, Ragna 10, Maia 18 and Georgia 26 as their best results. Quite wavy conditions with large, consistent shifts to right and then left.

Todays most unfortunate sailor was NZL sailor Oscar Rorvik who had a fantastic series of 4,1,4, but who had OCS in both of the two last races.

After races a happy Aussie Team celebrated Georgias father Graydens birthday. We all went to Portoroz and had dinner which was very nice.

Hopefully we will get two races in tomorrow (last day). This will allow us another drop which could help Sam and Ragna in particular.

Results after Day 6:

GIRLS

1 GER 12302 Rothlauf Paulina 27,0 7 3 3 (8) 1 2 2 5 4
2 POL 1384 Piasecka Sara 31,0 7 1 13 1 3 (18) 2 1 3
3 TUR 17 Yentur Zeynep 40,0 11 2 12 4 2 (30) 1 7 1
.......
48 AUS 541 Agerup Ragna 169,0 (48) 39 26 22 23 4 27 18 10
72 AUS 559 Thompson Georgia 251,0 42 28 32 36 24 (ocs) 31 32 26
79 AUS 542 Agerup Maia 269,0 43 34 29 37 34 (46) 35 39 18

BOYS

1 GER 12337 Hibler Maximilian 34,0 8 3 5 2 7 3 (bfd) 1 5
2 NED 2889 Sonnema Wouter 61,0 15 6 18 1 2 (35) 9 2 8
3 HUN 151 Vadnai Benjamin 64,0 5 16 6 (23) 2 2 5 6 22
….
82 AUS 556 Blackburn Sam 290,0 58 8 (70) 39 30 65 45 25 20

Day 5 – Morning

2009-07-10T00:13:00.000-07:00

The European Championship has been a truly learningful event for our sailors. The level is just amazingly high. Several times our sailors have been at the top mark in the top 15 boats only to be passed by 10 – 15 boats on the reach / downwind and another 15 boats on the last upwind. You have to be BEST technically on every part of the race, AND think about current, pressure and tactics vs. other boats. Otherwise, 5 boats will pass you in a second.

The whole setting with all sailors at the same venue works really well. Our sailors eat tehir meals with other nations, are together on the water and form friendships for life. The coaches have a good time with each other and so does the team delegations. We have had several invitations to come to events in other countries and we have extended invitations to come to our nationals in January.

You might wonder what our day look like. Here it is:

Daily programme:

07.45. Wake up – quick look out – is there wind ?
08.00 Meet Ryan. Exercise, weather discussion, swim, stretching, team talk.
09.00 Breakfast
09.30 Rinse boats, get sail. Go over boats – anything that should be replaced ?
10.00 Team leader / Coach meeting
10.30 On the water (if wind). Our sailors towed to regatta area with US / GBR
12.00 First start (Boys first – two flights, Girls next – two flights)
16.00 Racing (normally) over.
18.00 Boats washed. Shower, Briefing with Ryan – look at races on the computer. What did we learn ?
19.00 Dinner
20.00 Social w/ other sailors
21.30 Bed.

Today there is wind ! Probably around 15 knots. Hopefully the wind will stay up and we will get 3 races in.

Ryan has been working with our sailors this morning to get them to become more aggressive, especially on the start line. Georgia’s OCS yesterday was really quite good news, as our sailors’ starts generally have been too timid. Let us cross our fingers for todays races !

All sailrs are in good spirits. We are hoping for 5 more races so we can get another drop...

Day 4 - one race only.

2009-07-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

Hello from Piran

The weather here continues to puzzle. We had major front passing over us around 11 am which was not forecasted. Strong winds from 25 – 30 knots, gusting to 42! All boats were de- rigged and sails put under cover. Heavy rains, thunderstorm and lightning. The sailors went on water around noon in 20 knots of wind, but by the time they reached the regatta area, the wind had died down.

It took a long time to get the races going and the race committee only managed to get one race for each of the fleets going. A bit disappointing for many. In the boys fleet, false starts took a lot of time. The first start went off at 4PM!

For the boys, more than 40 sailors were disqualified in today’s race and the first start of tomorrows race. (The first boy start tomorrow will start with 50, not 75 sailors..)

For the Australians, the day was mixed. Sam is still struggling to get everything together and finished in the back of the fleet. Ragna almost won her race, but was passed by three boats a few meters from the finish as they lifted passed her. Still a fourth place is reason to celebrate! Georgia had a great reace and finished 9, but unfortuntaly she was OCS’d. Maia finished back of the fleet (but her start was good:-) )

Standings after day 4:

GIRLS

No Sailno Name Scores 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 GER 12302 Rothlauf Paulina 16,0 7 3 3 (8) 1 2
2 GER 12010 Matthiesen Annika 21,0 12 1 1 3 4 (15)
3 FRA 1930 Poret Jennifer 21,0 1 3 (27) 6 8 3
….
54 AUS 541 Agerup Ragna 114,0 (48) 39 26 22 23 4
80 AUS 559 Thompson Georgia 162,0 42 28 32 36 24 (ocs)
88 AUS 542 Agerup Maia 177,0 43 34 29 37 34 (46)

BOYS

1 GER 12337 Hibler Maximilian 20,0 (8) 3 5 2 7 3
2 HUN 151 Vadnai Benjamin 31,0 5 16 6 (23) 2 2
3 TUR 674 Birincioglu Mustafa Sergen 36,0 11 7 (24) 10 5 3
...
101 AUS 556 Blackburn Sam 200,0 58 8 (70) 39 30 65

Sailors paying attention to their Coach..

A bit more attentative (?)US Team listens to Amanda - the US Coach

NZ Team and team leader

The future of Sailing?

2009-07-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

Live GPS tracking in sailing competitions is a great ! The insight the sailors get when they track their own race, and the opportunities for dialogue between the sailors and between the sailors and their coach is just fantastic.

After seing what live GPS tracking can be used for, I hope that this technology becomes so afordable that most major regattas can use it all over the world.

The discussions here are going beyond the entertainment and training purposes. All OCS breaches can be tracked precisely, all penalty monitoring, most starboard / port situations AND finish line situations can be tracked. Just great.

Let us get a set for Yachting WA.

Day 3 - 3 races in 15 to 18 knots!

2009-07-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

Finally the wind filled in from the north (it has a name ! the BORA BORA). We had a steady breeze of 15 - 18 knots from 11 to 5 PM and the race committe - eager to get some races off were quick to start and keep the races going. 24 starts in four hours is good work !

The Australian team had another good day. Sam was a bit unlucky in the first race where he was finishing top 15 when a huge wave broke right into his boat. The rest of the day he consistently finished in the top half which is well done in this competitive environment. I think his ambitions are higher, but he is not the one to reveal them.. Watch this space for the next days to come :-)

The girls also did well. Ragna finally got going and clocked in three races in the top half of the fleet. Maia and Georgia also did some good racing at the start of the races but often fell back at the last upwind - that is the homework for tomorrow! They know they can be at the top of the fleet now!

Starts were much better today - have a look at the live GPS tracking races - link from the EOC web site. Good work, Ryan.

Overall - we are improving. Still 3 race days and 7 races to go. Let us hope the wind comes back.

Results so fare are (Total, Race 1 through to race 5)

GIRLS

1 GER 12010 Matthiesen Annika 21,0 12 1 1 3 4
2 GER 12302 Rothlauf Paulina 22,0 7 3 3 8 1
3 POL 1384 Piasecka Sara 25,0 7 1 13 1 3
....
67 AUS 541 Agerup Ragna 158,0 48 39 26 22 23
73 AUS 559 Thompson Georgia 162,0 42 28 32 36 24
80 AUS 542 Agerup Maia 177,0 43 34 29 37 34

BOYS

1 GER 12337 Hibler Maximilian 25,0 8 3 5 2 7
2 NED 2889 Sonnema Wouter 42,0 15 6 18 1 2
3 HUN 151 Vadnai Benjamin 52,0 5 16 6 23 2
…
88 AUS 556 Blackburn Sam 205,0 58 8 70 39 30

Tomorrow we will get a drop, so with continued good racing our positions will improve.

Charlotte from NZ won a race today and Malcom from the US is coming 4th. The team are making friends and having a great time. EVERYONE by know knows who the Australian Coach is..

Day 2 of the 2009 Optimist Europeans - Recalling the past

2009-07-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Europeans held off Piran, Slovenia have provided enormous challenges for the Australian Team. 42 nations competing sending sailors that represent the pinnacle of competition in their respective countries creates a fleet equipped with immense talent. This new environment has been a psychological struggle for some of our sailors due to the intensity, calibre and depth of such a fleet and trying to satisfy hopes and expectations.

The starts have proved to be one of the main areas that our sailors are battling with. If they are able to pop out ahead of their nearest competitors at the start it inevitably allows them options to sail their own strategy. However, sheeting on too late results in a lack of options as one attempts to gain clear air. The GPS tracking system used throughout the regatta allows for closer scrutineering of the race, subsequent to the sailors coming ashore. It also reveals that our Australian sailors do not lack speed, but that the shifts are somewhat persistent and some strategic errors are being made.

The weather in Slovenia is very unique. It is affected by developing thunderstorms in Italy, Austria and Slovenia as well as the gradient breezes. These local disturbances often result in the wind being incredibly variable in both strength and direction. These unfamiliar scenarios are adding to our sailors experiences and development in being able to recognise and forecast wind conditions.

Despite day 1 of the regatta being a rude awakening to the fate sailors face when racing in Europe, all of our sailors have shown solid conviction in trying to improve their results by being more agressive in all avenues of racing, and will hopefully canvas future successful Australian sailors.

Ryan Hannan

Day 2 - Only one race but better Australian results

2009-07-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

Today we waited on land for a long time. At apr 1PM we launched the boats and went racing in the best conditions so far. With winds from 15 - 25 knots this is weather we are used to !

Sam and Georgia both had great starts and a fantastic first upwinds. Sam was top 5 on the topmark and ended up 8 in his fleet. Georgia was top 10 but fell back on the last upwind and ended as 29 in her fleet.

Maia and Ragna did not get off the start line with the top sailors.Maia ended up 34 in her fleet. Ragna came 40 after she took penalty turns on the start line after the sprit of another sailor got stuck in her rig.

It is encouraging to see that all sailors have the boat speed and skills to improve their position in the fleet. The general sentiment is that we still have lots of improvement potential. All are looking forward to 4 more days of racing !

After Race 1 the Race Commitee sent off three more starts. However, the wind increased to more than 25 knots with thunder coming on, so all races for the rest of the day were cancelled.

Malcom from the US, with whom we share a Coach boat, is in the lead after two days.

Standings after two days:

BOYS

1 USA 15462 Lamphere Malcolm 7,0 5 2
2 GRE 1525 Magouras Alexandros 7,0 4 3
3 GRE 1101 Xintarakos Ioannis 10,0 9 1
..
63 AUS 556 Blackburn Sam 66,0 58 8

GIRLS

1 FRA 1930 Poret Jennifer 4,0 1 3
2 ITA 7621 Russo Cirillo Francesca 7,0 2 5
3 POL 1384 Piasecka Sara 8,0 7 1
…
78 AUS 559 Thompson Georgia 70,0 42 28
85 AUS 542 Agerup Maia 77,0 43 34
94 AUS 541 Agerup Ragna 87,0 48 39

Day 1 - Tough start for the Australian Team

2009-07-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

We had a difficult on the water today. Only one race was held in very light conditions. Current played a role on both upwinds and were the opposite of what we have seen on training yesterday. The sailors who figured out a large right shift in the last two races also benefited.

None of the sailors starts were optimal, and in these conditions with this level of competetion a poor start costs dearly.

Sam, Georgia and Maia ended up around 40 in their races. Ragna finished closer to 50. We will forget this day as soon as possible, and start a new day tomorrow!

All sailors are in good spirits and pretty determined for tomorrow.

Have a look at the races online - quite fun to watch !

MONDAY RACES
Race 1 Girls
http://spectator.sport-track.com/32225_1A_Girls_Whi_Blu
http://spectator.sport-track.com/32285_1B_Girls_Gr_Ye_

Race 1 Boys
http://spectator.sport-track.com/32205_1A_Boys_Whi_Blu
http://spectator.sport-track.com/32265_1B_Boys_gre_yel

The race is on !

2009-07-05T09:19:00.000-07:00

Hello all

Things are starting to get together, allthough we wonder how all the practical issues are going to be solved. Everything is notoriously late, and the organizers seem to have a fair bit of relaxed attitude toward most things.

Today, we also had a bit of wind - probably 4 - 8 knots. Rumours have it that serious wind will come in Wednesday. Everyone are in good spirits and looking forward to the start of racing tomorrow. Races start at 12 noon every day.

We have GPS tracking of all boats during the races so if you want to see how we are doing, log onto the organisers web site (see link on right side of the blog)

We are now off to the welcoming seremony with a parade, flags, speeches etc in Piran city.

Practise race day

2009-07-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone

Today as we woke up at 8 am being met by Ryan. We were forced to run up and down 800 STAIRS!! but the highlight of the morning was to go for a long swim in the nice water.

After we had breakfast, we were a bit unsure of how we were going to rig our sails, so the Sail maker from J-sails had a long talk to us and we learned lots!

We rigged our boat and went on the water. Today was the practise race and Ryan wanted us to start in the boys fleet, and get at least 2 yellow flags :S the goal in the practise racewas to cheat and pump, to see how far the judges will go before they give out yellow flags. The start line was crazy, nearly everyone was over and even a boy from poland started 1 minute before the start.

by ragna (help from maia and georgia)!!!

Saturday - Finally a good day

2009-07-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

The Charter Boats arrived thir morning, all boats were cleared in the measuring (eventually.. the final charter boats were too light but a bit of wet sailing did the trick..) and the sailors had 4 1/2 hours on the water (including some sea baths..) sailing with the US and NZL teams. Ryan reported that the Aussie team was comeptitive and "up there" so that promises well for the days to come.

Today we even had wind ! Varying between 8 - 10 knots the sailors were happy to finally get to try the conditions properly.

Coming in, we cleaned the boats, had dinner, a briefing with Ryan and discussed how we best should get organized. There is a small ramp to the water and with 300 boats going out every day - it is bound to be chaotic.

The team has made giood friends with several other nations. Very social for most to stay at the same hotel. Tomorrow is practice race, welcome seremony and more training. All are well and looking forward to the regatta. The J Sail manufacturer has offered to have a half our trimming session with the team tomorrow morning and some of the local sailors will brief us on wind patterns and currents in the bay.

More later !

Charter Boats Blues

2009-07-03T23:58:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately, the start of this regatta has been a very negative experience for many of us. Charter Boats were to be made available from Nordest (Italy) and FataMorgana / Morgan Boats (Slovenia). Nordest came with his boats on Thursday - a day late. Morgan has still not delivered all his boats. (Saturday).

IODA has in its wisdom decided that each team chartering boats MUST have the same number of boats from both charterers. The effect was that many sailors were left on shore Thursday and Friday because they were not allowed to use any spare Nordest Charter Boats that were awaiting sailors arriving later and because Morgan Optimist had no boats delivered as of Friday afternoon.

Absolutely unacceptable for an event like this. We put in an application to the organizing committe and IODA to use two Nordest boats that were brought as spare boats, but were rejected.

The situation now is that as of today (Saturday morning) we still only have two charter boats. The remaining two charter boats from Morgan Optimist is supposedly going to be delivered within the hour. Whether this is true or another lie from the organizers and FataMorgana is impossible to say. The story continues..

All arrived. First training session on the water

2009-07-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

Hi all

We have arrived safely at Hotel Strunjan. The Hotel is next to the beach. It is sunny, very warm and conditions are very light. We live in two bungfalows next to the hotel.

Everyone were really tired Thursday night, and we had an early evening. Friday morning Ryan and the sailors had a morning run to look at the conditions from the top of a hill next to the bay.

We have only received 2 of our charter boats in something that has developed into a farce. More about that later. We share a coach boat with the US team, and yesterday we had a 3 hour session on the water sailing with the French, GBR, Norway, Japan, NZL and the US. Wind was 3-4 knots so quite challenging !

The sailors have already hooked up with new friends from other nations and seem to have a lot of fun. When it is too hot, the beach is just in front of the hotel!

Today, there is registration and another session on the water. Hopefully all our Charter boats will be here..

Our Coaches

2009-06-06T02:34:00.001-07:00

Ryan Hannan resides in Perth and have been coaching the optimist sailors for the past 18 months. He is our Coach in the Europeans.

Ryan is also competing in his own campaign in Europe this summer in Kiel and the Europeans and Worlds in the Laser class this year. Ryan came 2nd in the Laser Nationals 2008 and 4th in the Asia Pacifics this season.

Diego Figueroa is the Coach we train mostly with in Perth. Diego coaches at Royal Perth Yacht Club and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club Gold Fleets.

Here are Diego' merits:

- National Coach for the AUS Worlds Team, 2008 and 2009
- Peru National Coach (1997-2006)
- 5 National Fleet Racing Championships
- 7 National Team Racing Championships
- 1 South American Fleet Racing Championship
- 4 South American Team Racing Championships
- 1 North American Fleet Racing Championship
- 1 North American Team Racing Championship
- 2 World Team Racing Championship

Arthur ‘AB’ Brett is the Freemantle Sailing Clubs Academy Principal and has been coaching some of us for a year at Freemantle Sailing Club.

Some of Arthur merits are:

World Contender Class Champion 2001 & 2002
Australian Sailor of the Year 2002
Coach of seven World Champions 2003 - 2008
Australian Olympic Coach 2004 and 2008

Our program

2009-06-06T02:21:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 2nd - arrival at the hotel. Get our boats !
Friday, July 3rd - Training on the water - possibly with other nations ?
Saturday, July 4th - Training on the water. Official Arrival Day.
Sunday, July 5th - Registration and Measurement. Training and Practice Race. Opening Ceremony
Monday, July 6th Races.
Tuesday, July 7th Races.
Wednesday, July 8th Races.
Thursday, July 9th Races.
Friday, July 10th Races.
Saturday, July 11th Races.
Sunday, July 12th Official Departure Day.

The Team - Sam

2009-06-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

Sam in NZ Nationals 2008

The team - Ragna, Maia and Georgia

2009-06-04T16:43:00.001-07:00

Maia in Australian Nationals

Georgia in Australian Nationals

Ragna in New Zeland Nationals

Ragna, Maia and Georgia

Welcome

2009-06-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

On this page we will write about our Teams experiences in competing in the European Optimist Championship 2009 !