Images from Day 1 racing at Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
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Weather Forecast - Issued by Kenn Batt at 0630hr - For Saturday 16th August 2008. 2008 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Rac
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Seriously, why?
Can’t speak for the rest of you sailors out there. I know why I sail, though today still unable to sit “normal” almost a month after my Black Fly turned Staph Infection incident from doing the Chicago-Mackinac race, an experience which has overshadowed the pages and pages of notes on the amazing time otherwise had.
How a “microscopic” negative can so easily undo a 50 foot boat load of fantastic memories is beyond me. The experience has me reminding self “why I sail.”
I sail for many of the same reasons the likely person reading this blog does: for sport, sensations of movement, love of water and being outside, etc., etc. Explaining to people why a sailor sails is pretty easy picture to paint. Despite being a little uncomfortable these days, the love and passion for sailing has not weakened. Just a little jaded about sailing anywhere there may be Black Flies.
Now, if we (sailors) could leave out a few bits on why we sail. For example, sharing the “war stories” for after they go out on the boat a few times. Sailors love to hear other sailors “big fish” tales from regattas past or wild deliveries. Unless the potential new sailor is already an adrenaline junky, they want to hear about the lovely cruise which involved more civilized affairs.
Granted, this takes putting a few feelers out there. Understanding a little bit more about the person one is talking with and then deciding what picture would entice them to scope out the closest sailing center. Sailing does have so many “faces”, many “flavors” to choose from, truly an activity, sport for anyone who chooses to give it a try.
For example, some of us choose to race around bouys, go offshore, hang on a trapezes ,etc.. We choose to sail on the boat which best matches our personalities. It is ok if that style includes a 25 foot Cape Dory, sipping wine on a lake or coastal waterway in just enough breeze to keep the iron jib tucked away. As sailors, active ambassadors for our sport, it is our responsibility to ensure all the facets of sailing get properly portrayed.
To grow our sport, increase participation and ensure our favorite events are there for our children’s children to participate in: we each have to share why we sail. Though, why we sail may not be why the person listening wants to sail. They may just want the ability to cruise on a gentle boat in gentle waters.
Though, do advise they bring bug spray…just in case!
Original post by Jennifer Langille and software by Elliott Back
All the competitors prior to the start of the RORC La Rochelle Race were aware of what was to come
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Images from the first day of Olympic Regatta competition in the Star class
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
All boats are safely in and the Blue Water Rally has arrived Mackay - It’s been a hectic few days here in Mackay Marina.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
First, my apologies for not updating the blog. I know a lot of you are glued to our blog for updates! Where to begin!?
Our 2nd day of racing wasnt much better than the first. An OCS and then a decent score. Our third day of racing proved to be one of the best so far, finally getting into the swing of things. We scored a 15, and then had a brilliant race to take a win by close to 2 minutes! It was an indescribable feeling crossing the line to take a race win at the Games, and as today proved, it was just what we needed.
Today after being postponed on the water for 2 and a half hours, the breeze filled in nicely off the land to allow one race for us. It was flat wiring conditions, which we were stoked to have. We had a bad start near the pin end but tacked off onto a lift. We knew it would be very shifty and staying lifted was important. We were taken out to the right side and hooked into a great shift to round 4th! We sailed the rest of the race conservatively and held onto it. In tonight’s standings we’ve moved up to 12th! We still have 3 races left before the medal race, which is our new goal by the end of the regatta. It is the Olympics and anything can happen. Stay tuned!
Original post by Graham Biehl and software by Elliott Back
Australian women has qualified for tomorrow’s medal race in the Yngling keelboat event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics sail
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Images from the first day of Olympic Regatta competition in the Tornado class
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
There is a degree of inevitability surrounding any major regatta of the Finn class these days. Ben Ainslie will win.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
2004 silver medalist Rafa Trujillo (ESP) won today’s race, a second place for Ainslie (GBR) extended his lead at the top
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Today all New Zealand’s yachties sailed just one race in Qingdao, China, late in the day after waiting for wind until ar
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Greetings from Qingdao, on this seventh day of the 2008 Sailing Olympics.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Beijing Olympics: Sailing Table of results Day 7
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
There was an air of expectancy out on Course A for the first race of the Tornado catamarans.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Team Russia is dodging oilrigs in the North Sea.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Fisheries Victoria has released a great free product designed specifically for budding young anglers.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Olympic Sailing Qingdao - Paul Goodison moves into lead in Laser
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Kiwis fly - but not fast enough at Airlie Beach Race Week
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Wired was intelligently sailed in testing light winds to score a comfortable line honours win
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
City of Greater Geelong released data today showing Geelong Week produced an economic impact close to $11m.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
British Sailors Lead The Way Into First Olympic Medal Races
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
‘Athlete’s village’ in Qingdao has serious ‘media flaw’
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
As you might know by now, yesterday’s racing was cancelled for all classes due to lack of wind. The haze never burned off enough to get a good sea breeze going, so we took the opportunity to explore new parts of Qingdao. We hopped in a cab to one of the shopping districts and,??with the help of Jeff Chang’s Chinese skills, actually made it. The streets were lined with lots of stores selling anything and everything from clothing to electronics to “walking pizza” (which we assumed was pizza to go). As we explored, we made a new friend who started following us, presumably to work up the courage to ask for money. Luckily, the local Olympic volunteers talked the man out of pursuing us after we asked for some help.
??As we walked through less-touristy areas, we noticed that??the Olympic symbols and particularly the sailing ads really are plastered and painted??all over the city. I had the chance to try on??some shorts in a 3 by 7-foot changing cube and realized after some serious efforts to try on my normal size that Chinese sizes and women generally run much smaller. I was happy to find a pair and??double my wardrobe…thankfully my bag has arrived a day later.
Next we wandered over to “Beer Street,” a short walk away from “Culture Street” and “Wedding Photography Street.” The road was lined with locals and perhaps a few Chinese tourists enjoying the TsingTao brew from kegs and bottles in outdoor cafes. Many of the men were sitting and standing around with their shirts rolled up to their armpits or totally off, a fashion statement I’ve started to see a lot here. Probably pretty nice when it’s so hot out.
After admiring the beer shrine, made completely out of large, green TsingTao beer bottles, we sat down and sampled a few. One brave member of our group even tried the “unlabeled” version that the locals like, but we all concluded that ithe original??brew was much better. Later on the evening, we got to meet up with Andrew and Bill Ward and enjoy some Italian food at a restaurant near downtown Qingdao. Also caught some glimpses of the Laser light show that beams out of one of the many tall buildings at night.
At the moment, we’re well positioned to watch the three races scheduled for today from the 8th floor of the hotel, but it??looks like the RS:X, Star, and Tornado fleets are towing??in. The 470 and Laser/Radial fleets appear to be holding ??near their course areas to see if the sea breeze will fill.. There’s also a large groups of dark clouds approaching,??so we’ll see what happens.??Can’t wait to get some more races in…
?
Original post by Jacqueline Schmitz and software by Elliott Back
Snakes and ladders. Positions changing almost at random, without rhyme or reason. Short Handed Association of Australia
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
400 sailors waiting on the water, but all classes postponed on Fushan Bay- Qingdao
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
HM Bark Endeavour, will depart its home port, Darling Harbour, Sydney, on a two-month voyage to Brisbane and back.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Olympic sailors have praised VSail simulators in the lead up to the 2008 Olympics
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Jon Bilger of www.predictwind.com!PredictWind.com has provided the following forecast for Qingdao Olympic Venue: Friday
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Kiwis catch elusive breeze and fly away at Airlie Beach Race Week
Original post by Graham Biehl and software by Elliott Back
There were so many capsizes it looked like synchronized diving, only in colder water.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Northerly winds on Fushan Bay this morning for Day 7 of the 2008 Beijing Olympic sailing regatta.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
The AMIF encourages industry support for a national education campaign to attract young people to the marine industry.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
‘Congratulations and thank you goes out to the 6 delivery crew of Shockwave 5 after 32 days at sea’ - Andrew Short
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Cowes Week turned out to be a particularly successful week for Beneteau Yachts
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Antoine Albeau mounts his attack on event leader, Bjorn Dunkerbeck. Valerie Ghibaudo extends her event lead
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Seve Jarvin’s boat name Gotta Love It sums up his performance so far in the seventh 18′ Skiff International Regatta
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Australian Volunteer Coast Guard welcomes the news that the NSW gov is committed to improving volunteer marine rescue.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Yesterday was a hot and steamy day down at the boat park totally void of any wind. The postponement flags (AP) went up at 11 o’clock and only came down briefly at around 4 in the afternoon, so that they could attach flag A underneath to signal that the day was officially abandoned and races were rescheduled for the next day.
Three races are scheduled for today along with an improved forecast. It may actually reach the legendary 12 knot mark at some point this evening. We’ve all got our fingers crossed regardless. Any wind is better than no wind, and yesterday no wind was what we got.
Most teams spent their day in the air conditioning, either in their team’s containers in the boatyard or in the rooms of the village with a watchful eye on the ocean and signal flags at the harbor entrance. The hours tick by and small talk, sleep and anxiety are the only things really happening. The Spanish team next to our container set up an impromptu badmitton court out of some chair and pieces of line. The Kiwis on the other side tried to fashion frisbee devices. It is a difficult thing to keep your guard up, and be ready to hit the water at a moments notice and at the same time be relaxed and without stress on shore. Luckily, we’ve got a pretty easygoing group of sailors and coaches and keep the tone light and optimistic, always ready to make our first move towards winning our next race.
Original post by Andrew Campbell and software by Elliott Back
Queensland Tourism have ’sponsored the weather’
Original post by