Australia will be sending it's strongest team ever to the Worlds in Italy next month. It includes the current top three rated A sailors as well as an impressive group with outstanding achievements. I was keen to go myself, and very disappointed to miss the cut by one for the allocated places - that was until I reflected on the credentials of those going. The Australian A website has this notice.
"Australia's strongest team for the World Championships in Italy
In 2010 Australia will send it’s strongest ever team of 12 competitors to the International A-Division World Championships to be held in Cesenatico, Italy from 26th June to 3rd July. Australians have dominated the class since the inception of World Championships in 1980 winning 17 of the 23 championships held and placing in the top 3 of all.
The team boasts 2 Silver & 2 Bronze Tornado Olympic medalists and multiple World champions in a number of catamaran classes, not only in A-Division.
As well as 7 of the sailors being placed in the top 10 at the recent Australian championships, Glenn Ashby, Steve Brewin and Andrew Landenburg will be defending their 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the last World Championships held in Belmont, Lake MacQuarie, Australia in 2009.
The team comprises of :- Glenn Ashby – 6 times World A-Cat Champion, 5 times European A-Cat Champion, 7 times A-Cat Australian Champion, 3 times Tornado World Champion, 3 times F18 World champion, 1 ISAF World championship and Silver Medalist 2008 Olympics.
Steve Brewin – World A-Cat Champion 2001, European A-Cat Champion 2008, World Nacra 5.8 Champion 2000 and 2002,2008,2010 Australian A-Cat Champion.
Andrew Landenberger – 3rd 2009 World A- Cat, Silver Medalist 1996 Olympics, World Moth Champion 1989, World Topcat K1Champion 2005, Tornado European Champion 1996. Scott Anderson – World A-Cat Champion 1986, Bronze Medalist 1984 Olympics and 1985,1989 A-Cat Australian Champion, 1983, 1984 Tornado World Champion , 1983, 1987 Tornado European Champion, Little America’s Cup Winner 1985
Chris Cairns – Bronze Medalist 1984 Olympics. Little America’s Cup Winner 1985, 1983, 1984 Tornado World Champion , 1983, 1987 Tornado European Champion
James Spithall –World Match Race Champion 2005, World Melges 24 Champion 2005, Multiple America’s Cups and Skipper of BMW Oracle, fastest multihull match racer
Brad Collett – 2001 Australian Champion, Second in 2010 Australian Championships
Graeme Harbour – 1992 Australian Champion .
Graeme Parker – 3rd 2010 Australian Championships.
Jack Benson – 2010 Australian Junior champion
Steve Brayshaw – 2008 Australian Junior Champion
Ben Deed
On behalf of all members I would like to wish the team all the best in their endeavours to secure another strong result.
Ian Johnson, President and team trolley dolly."
Hopefully plenty of US sailors will be going as well to test their skills against the best. The turnout from Europe will be massive as well.
I understand the US will be putting a proposal to hold a Worlds in 2013. Questions are already being asked why this should be done when US sailors don't support the Worlds to any great degree when it is outside their waters. Come on guys - lift your game!
Cheers
Last edited by ACE11; 05/21/10 01:36 AM.