There was a lot going on at Sandringham Yacht Club on Day 2 of sailing at the ISAF Sailing World Cup.
Winds – or lack there of – were a bit of a trouble out on the bay, causing multiple postponements and the cancelling of RS:X, Skud, 2.4m and Access Liberty races. However despite weather troubles the Laser, 49er and 470 classes were still able to compete.
Wind-whisperer Tom Slingsby has had a great performance in the Laser class winning every race but his second so far, in which he came a strong 2nd.
Australians are still dominating the Men’s 470 with Sam Kivell and Will Ryan in the lead by 4 points followed closely by sailing superstars Matt Belcher and Malcolm Page who are currently tied neck to neck with American sailors Stuart McNay and Graham Biehl.
Unfortunately we didn’t get to see Jess Crisp show all the international competitors who’s boss out on the bay today due to light winds but the good news is she’s still leading the pack by a heavy 4 points.
Laser fleet in action
Still with plenty of action taking place on the bay, yesterday’s events were about more than just competition as the International Sailing Summit took place at Sandringham Yacht Club.
Key issues raised at the summit included the importance of growing participation in the sport amongst youth and the growing potential for sailing and boating sports to achieve a greater profile both in Australia and internationally.
Some great speakers were able to offer and share their ideas on how to raise the sport’s profile.
Chairman of the Boating Industries Alliance Australia, President of the BIA of NSW and final speaker for the summit Darren Vaux finished his speech with great optimism saying, “We have a very exciting future ahead of us.”
With so many amazing athletes and sporting growth potential it really is an exciting time for sailing in Australia.
10th International Sailing Summit
We then went straight to the Official World Cup Dinner held in the amazing Port Phillip Room, where just as we sat down to begin our meals there was a sighting of dolphins out on the bay! Everyone rushed over to the floor-to-ceiling windows to gush over the gorgeous creatures, including me.
We were treated to a fabulous night of delicious food and an entertaining host in the form of ISS founder Alistair Murray, who kept guests laughing all night. Sailing legend John Bertrand and Olympian and member of the Oarsome Foursome Nick Green inspired all in the room with their tales of Olympic Games past. We also heard from Tom Slingsby and Nathan Outteridge, who will find out if he has won the title of 2011 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year today, and the night finished off with a beautiful singing performance by Chloe Maggs of Collective Live as a tribute to our Olympians.
Tom Slingsby at the International Sailing Summit
Hopefully weather conditions will improve for Day 3 of the competition – I can’t wait to see windsurfer Jess Crisp rip up that bay!
See you all down on the water.
Sailing off,
Vicky
