The last few races of the 'new look' British Olympic trials
saw some of the closest racing on record. Sue Pelling reports.
THE CHERNIKEEFF BRITISH OLYMPIC selection trials organised by the
RYA took place from April 16-24 at Weymouth's new sailing academy
- the former Royal Naval Air Station on Portland.
With the Europe, Star and Laser classes already selected prior
to the Weymouth event, all eyes focussed on the remaining Olympic
classes including the Tornado, 470 men/women, Mistral men/women
49er, Soling and Finn.
Unlike previous selection events where it was possible for anyone
to turn up, 'have a go', and win a ticket to the Games, the Olympic
selectional procedure has been re-styled to take account of international
performance as well. Over the last four years, Olympic hopefuls
have had to prove themselves on the international stage as well
as just at the trials. Consequently, the standard of competition
at Weymouth this year was red hot with at least two fleets fighting
it out right into the last minute of the last race.
While Weymouth has been the home of the selection trials for many
years, it was the first time the regatta had been run from the naval
base at Portland. This new venue with its spacious surrounding,
good launching, secure dinghy park, ample parking space, and excellent
club facilities could not be bettered. As well as the obvious logistical
advantages, Weymouth is unique in having the choice of racing in
the bay or in the more sheltered waters of the harbour. Consequently
the chances of losing too many races to poor weather conditions
is pretty rare.
In typical form April lived up to its unpredictable reputation
with the week starting off cold and windy and finishing off with
medium to light airs and a mini 'heatwave'. While some may have
hoped for more consistent conditions, there was no doubt that the
eight-day series of mixed conditions made it one of the most fair
and challenging trials on record.
By the middle of the week, things started hotting up with the cream
of the fleets beginning to surface. And it was immediately evident
by watching the performance out on the racecourse who to 'put your
money on'.
In the Tornado fleet, there was no doubt that Hugh Styles
and Adam May had the edge over the rest of the fleet with their
crisp, professional technique, the key to their consistency and
overall success. Styles who was runner-up to Ben Ainslie in the
Laser class at the previous Olympic Games undoubtedly has a lot
of talent. And with his super-hot crew, Adam May, who's previous
dinghy sailing experience includes 470s and some of the best development
classes such as the International Moths, International Fourteens
and National Twelves, are a force to be reckoned with. Having won
the trials by two points from Rob Wilson and Will Howden, they now
have to go on to the European championship in Italy and prove themselves
there before the Olympic selection committee make their final decision.
Wilson and Howden had their fair share of misfortune in the first
race. Having led from the start they encountered gear problems which
put an end to their first race victory and eventually had to settle
for third. Then to add insult to injury, their jib ripped in half
just off the start line in the next race. However, despite using
up both discards up on the first day they managed to claw back and
finish just two points behind Styles and May.
Twenty
four year old Iain Percy engraved his name deeply into the Finn
class with only one other sailor Jamie Lea giving him any real problems.
'Yes Lea is my closest threat,' commented Percy halfway through
the regatta, 'but I am confident provided I keep plugging away.'
Percy who made a transition from the Laser class after the last
Olympics has been training full time and his efforts were well and
truly rewarded at Weymouth. He sailed well in all conditions and
before he heads out to Sydney, is looking forward to the forthcoming
Spa regatta and also the Finn Gold Cup (world championship) which
is also at Weymouth later in the year.
The
women's Mistral fleet was dominated by 24-year-old Christine Johnston.
However, having won the event Johnston still has to prove herself
at European championship in May before the selectors make their
final decision. 'The racing here is excellent.' said Johnston. 'We've
had a selection of courses including windward/leewards with outer
loops inside and outside the harbour. The selectors are obviously
trying to mimic Sydney as much as possible.'
The
Mens Mistral fleet was won by Nick Dempsey who made his mark right
from the start by winning the first five races. However, despite
Demsey's top form there were a couple of threats always looming
including Dominic Tidey and Adrian Jones. 'Although I had a string
of firsts' said Dempsey, 'Tidey and Jones were still pretty close
and I couldn't afford to ignore that.'
While
there was a lot of talent in the 470 men's fleet there was a definite
ranking emerging halfway through the regatta with Nick Rogers/Jo
Glanfield and Chris Draper/Dan Newman taking the upper hand from
Graham Vials/Magnus Leask, and race two winners David Edwards/Mat
Ackland. Speaking to Chris Draper during the regatta when on equal
points with Rogers/Glanfield there was no doubt that this was the
predicted pattern of the regatta. 'We are sailing very well but
yes there is room for improvement which is particularly encouraging
for us; we know we've got a bit extra there.'
In
the final showdown in the last race, Draper and Rogers were still
were neck and neck and the heat was on for an extremely close race.
Rogers covered Draper closely throughout but Draper managed to break
free, tack into clear air and cross the finish line just a few yards
ahead of Rogers - enough to win the series by just one point.
The winning duo are now hot-footing off to the world championship
which start at the beginning of May 'We have a week in the country,'
said Newman, 'before we set to again.'
The women's 470 class was won by Helena Lucas and Sue Parkin after
a close regatta with Bethan Raggatt and Sarah Webb, and Severine
Rees Jones and Inga Leask who had to settle for third.
Four years ago the 49er was in its first flush of youth having
only just been chosen as the new high performance Olympic racer,
now, its one of the most highly competitive Olympic classes. It
is a all singing all dancing blasting machine which demands highly
charged, fit crews to show off their skills. The athletes competing
in this class have shown that unless you're dedicated full time
there is very little chance in making it to the top spot. But if
you can prove yourself, the rewards are worth every moment of time,
effort and 'pain'!
As
a high-performance skiff with a massive sail area, the 49er is a
demanding boat and years of previous skiff-type sailing is undoubtedly
a distinct advantage. It was not surprising therefore to see a string
of world class high performance skiff sailors making the grade at
the top of the ladder including Ian Barker/Simon Hiscocks, Paul
Brotherton/Mo Gray, Andy/Ian Budgen, and Tim Robinson/Zeb Elliot.
After the halfway stage of the regatta, the close battle between
Barker and Brotherton was becoming more evident. Barker who extended
his points lead was pounced on by Brotherton once leaving the pair
on equal points going in to the last race. Brotherton took control
of the duel in the latter stages of the race, but Barker and Hiscocks,
with nothing to lose at that stage, sailed a storming last run and
nosed ahead just when it mattered most crossing the line in second
place behind David Lenz. Brotherton and Gray were third. 'Having
won the trials,' said Barker, 'we aim to sail most of the international
regattas including the European grand prix circuit as well as plenty
of training inbetween races before we head down to Sydney.'
Andy Beadsworth, Richard Sydenham and Barry Parkin won their ticket
to Sydney by winning the Soling match racing final from Ian Williams,
Mark Nicholls and Andy Hemmings.
Having
already been selected, Star sailors Ian Walker and Mark Covell are
using the time they have between now and the Games to get in as
much international experience as possible including the world championship
in New Zealand and Spa and Kiel regattas. 'We then go to Sydney
in August,' said Mark, 'for the duration where we'll work on the
venue training. Because we're sailing on two courses - in the harbour
and out in the waves - we need to spend as much time as we can training
in the contrasting conditions.' 'We've got a lot of training to
do because we are still new in the boat,' added Walker, ' but we
are looking forward to getting down there.'
It
was clear from many of the crews that failure to qualify for the
games was, although obviously disappointing, by no means the end
of their Olympic sailing career. In fact, the complete opposite.
Many saw the regatta as a positive step forward which they would
use to fuel their future Olympic sailing - the first regatta of
their Olympic 2004 Games campaign. Geoff Carveth who's been campaigning
a 49er for the best part of four years while working full time says
that you have to do your apprenticeship in this sort of boat. 'It's
one of the best boats to sail, you can't beat it but you have to
spend as much time as you can improving your technique.' While Carveth
wants to continue along the Olympic path in the 49er, he thinks
it important to race a more conventional class as well. 'I sort
of miss the close conventional sailing which really does improve
your tactical sailing.'
Jason Belben who represented Britain in the 470 at the Barcelona
Games in 1992 was, despite having a poor regatta at Weymouth with
middle of the fleet results, still smiling. 'While we all want to
go to the Games, the most important thing is enjoyment and the closeness
of the racing - Weymouth has certainly proved that.'
Our
biggest dream would be to represent Britain at the Games.' said
Adrian Murphy (49er crewman)'. However despite our consistent middle
of the fleet results Geoff [Carveth] and I are having loads of fun.
Top class racing in a highly competitive fleet and the venue is
fantastic. I particularly like [he says laughing] having the coastguard
air/sea rescue helicopter stationed next door, it gives you one
hell of a confidence booster!'
and Adam May had the edge over the rest of the fleet with their
crisp, professional technique, the key to their consistency and
overall success. Styles who was runner-up to Ben Ainslie in the
Laser class at the previous Olympic Games undoubtedly has a lot
of talent. And with his super-hot crew, Adam May, who's previous
dinghy sailing experience includes 470s and some of the best development
classes such as the International Moths, International Fourteens
and National Twelves, are a force to be reckoned with. Having won
the trials by two points from Rob Wilson and Will Howden, they now
have to go on to the European championship in Italy and prove themselves
there before the Olympic selection committee make their final decision.
Wilson and Howden had their fair share of misfortune in the first
race. Having led from the start they encountered gear problems which
put an end to their first race victory and eventually had to settle
for third. Then to add insult to injury, their jib ripped in half
just off the start line in the next race. However, despite using
up both discards up on the first day they managed to claw back and
finish just two points behind Styles and May. 
Twenty
four year old Iain Percy engraved his name deeply into the Finn
class with only one other sailor Jamie Lea giving him any real problems.
'Yes Lea is my closest threat,' commented Percy halfway through
the regatta, 'but I am confident provided I keep plugging away.'
Percy who made a transition from the Laser class after the last
Olympics has been training full time and his efforts were well and
truly rewarded at Weymouth. He sailed well in all conditions and
before he heads out to Sydney, is looking forward to the forthcoming
Spa regatta and also the Finn Gold Cup (world championship) which
is also at Weymouth later in the year. 
The
Mens Mistral fleet was won by Nick Dempsey who made his mark right
from the start by winning the first five races. However, despite
Demsey's top form there were a couple of threats always looming
including Dominic Tidey and Adrian Jones. 'Although I had a string
of firsts' said Dempsey, 'Tidey and Jones were still pretty close
and I couldn't afford to ignore that.'
While
there was a lot of talent in the 470 men's fleet there was a definite
ranking emerging halfway through the regatta with Nick Rogers/Jo
Glanfield and Chris Draper/Dan Newman taking the upper hand from
Graham Vials/Magnus Leask, and race two winners David Edwards/Mat
Ackland. Speaking to Chris Draper during the regatta when on equal
points with Rogers/Glanfield there was no doubt that this was the
predicted pattern of the regatta. 'We are sailing very well but
yes there is room for improvement which is particularly encouraging
for us; we know we've got a bit extra there.' 
In
the final showdown in the last race, Draper and Rogers were still
were neck and neck and the heat was on for an extremely close race.
Rogers covered Draper closely throughout but Draper managed to break
free, tack into clear air and cross the finish line just a few yards
ahead of Rogers - enough to win the series by just one point. 
As
a high-performance skiff with a massive sail area, the 49er is a
demanding boat and years of previous skiff-type sailing is undoubtedly
a distinct advantage. It was not surprising therefore to see a string
of world class high performance skiff sailors making the grade at
the top of the ladder including Ian Barker/Simon Hiscocks, Paul
Brotherton/Mo Gray, Andy/Ian Budgen, and Tim Robinson/Zeb Elliot.
After the halfway stage of the regatta, the close battle between
Barker and Brotherton was becoming more evident. Barker who extended
his points lead was pounced on by Brotherton once leaving the pair
on equal points going in to the last race. Brotherton took control
of the duel in the latter stages of the race, but Barker and Hiscocks,
with nothing to lose at that stage, sailed a storming last run and
nosed ahead just when it mattered most crossing the line in second
place behind David Lenz. Brotherton and Gray were third. 'Having
won the trials,' said Barker, 'we aim to sail most of the international
regattas including the European grand prix circuit as well as plenty
of training inbetween races before we head down to Sydney.' 
Having
already been selected, Star sailors Ian Walker and Mark Covell are
using the time they have between now and the Games to get in as
much international experience as possible including the world championship
in New Zealand and Spa and Kiel regattas. 'We then go to Sydney
in August,' said Mark, 'for the duration where we'll work on the
venue training. Because we're sailing on two courses - in the harbour
and out in the waves - we need to spend as much time as we can training
in the contrasting conditions.' 'We've got a lot of training to
do because we are still new in the boat,' added Walker, ' but we
are looking forward to getting down there.' 
It
was clear from many of the crews that failure to qualify for the
games was, although obviously disappointing, by no means the end
of their Olympic sailing career. In fact, the complete opposite.
Many saw the regatta as a positive step forward which they would
use to fuel their future Olympic sailing - the first regatta of
their Olympic 2004 Games campaign. Geoff Carveth who's been campaigning
a 49er for the best part of four years while working full time says
that you have to do your apprenticeship in this sort of boat. 'It's
one of the best boats to sail, you can't beat it but you have to
spend as much time as you can improving your technique.' While Carveth
wants to continue along the Olympic path in the 49er, he thinks
it important to race a more conventional class as well. 'I sort
of miss the close conventional sailing which really does improve
your tactical sailing.' 
Our
biggest dream would be to represent Britain at the Games.' said
Adrian Murphy (49er crewman)'. However despite our consistent middle
of the fleet results Geoff [Carveth] and I are having loads of fun.
Top class racing in a highly competitive fleet and the venue is
fantastic. I particularly like [he says laughing] having the coastguard
air/sea rescue helicopter stationed next door, it gives you one
hell of a confidence booster!' 
