e-marineworld & LSD share some love
Meridien Marinas ASBA Queensland Sports Boat Titles
The Australian Sports Boat Association (ASBA) in conjunction its major sponsor Meridien Marinas is holding the inaugural ASBA Qld State Sports Boat titles at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) on the weekend of the 5-6 December 2009.
It’s been three years since the ASBA was formed and the Sports Boat Measurement System (SMS) was first introduced nationally. Around the country there is now over 85 SMS’d boats racing under the ASBA banner and over 30 of these are based in Queensland. The SMS system is the first ever measured handicap system for trailerable boats and is generating huge interest and most importantly close results in a fleet of boats that varies in size from 6 to 8.5 metres.
A fleet of close to 30 boats is expected to line up for the 5 race series. The winner of the 2009 ASBA National Titles in Geelong, Heath Walters from Sydney, is making the trip to Qld along with the 5 time National Champion Chris Williams, also from Sydney, to give the event a State of Origin edge.
Ankida
Farr 30 & Farr 40 Regatta
This weekend we (as in my work) hosted the first Farr 30 & 40 One-Design Regatta.
Seeya Jessica
After a good night’s sleep, and weeks of delays and mishaps, teenage adventurer Jessica Watson has set off on her quest to make history.
The 16-year-old from the Sunshine Coast started her solo round-the-world attempt today.
OMG – The Prince Capsized!!!
The Prince and his crew in the drink.
OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD Can you believe it, the Prince of Denmark capsized his boat on Sydney Harbour! OMG this is so full on I can’t believe it!!! OMG he capsized TWICE!!!!!
Seriously. Freakin seriously!!!
Yes, you read correctly. The Crown Prince of Denmark, Prince Frederik, and his crew (does anyone even know his name..?) capsized during the “sailing race” at the World Masters Games on Sydney Harbour today.
Capsizing in a Tasar is pretty serious stuff, and newsworthy enough to appear on the 7pm Project, Ten’s First at Five News, Channel 9 News and across thoousands of news websites and blogs across the globe. And now it’s on LSD…
Do a Google search for “prince frederik capsizes” – it’s pretty funny how many news sites have reported this incident.
Grant Wharrington was a guest on the 7pm Project tonight being quizzed about the controversy surrounding the Ben Lexcen winged keel and what some guy overseas is rattling on about – and at the end of the interview they went to footage of the Prince receiving assistance from the patrol boat crews whilst the other Tasar sailors were struggling to sort themselves out!
Regardless, it’s great to see that the Prince is bringing sailing into the mainstream media.
If he wasn’t racing, do you think sailing would receive this much attention???
Australia to seize 1983 America’s Cup glory?
In more America’s Cup controversy, check out the latest to make headlines…
A BOAT designer has blown the whistle on a “lie” that allowed Australia to seize glory in the 1983 America’s Cup – the claim that Ben Lexcen invented the famous winged keel that propelled Alan Bond’s yacht to victory.
Peter van Oossanen, the Dutch naval architect who worked with Lexcen on Australia II, has said he can confirm what the Americans alleged – but could not prove – 26 years ago. The true designers of the peculiar upside-down keel, with its critical winglets, were himself, his Dutch team and the Dutch aerodynamicist Joop Slooff. Lexcen, he says, played only a “minor” role, contributing perhaps 5 or 10 per cent. Strictly speaking, there is an argument that Australia II should have been disqualified because the rules stipulated that competing yachts be designed by residents or citizens of the country they represented.
Royalty puts sailing under a spotlight
It’s great that so many sailors have ventured to Sydney from across the globe to compete in the World Masters Games.
What makes it even better is that Crown Prince Frederik is helping put sailing on the map!
The Prince is sailing a Tasar against some of the best sailors in the world including Olympic Gold Medalists and world champions. It’s going to be a great regatta for everyone!
Follow the World Masters Games via the website, Twitter or Facebook.
Eight bells and fair winds
Parts of a Boat
