Tornado UK Forum

admin · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject: Daily Log From Italy

Paul Mines, John Ready, Stuart Smith and Allan Morgan are all in Italy this week representing GBR at the Tornado World Championships.

Day 0, Lake Garda Italy, we are here for the Tornado World Championships. 2 GBR/East Coast crews of John Ready,Alan Morgan from Stone Sailing Club and Paul Mines, Stuart Smith from BSC. Whilst John’s journey was from Hamburgafter a summer on the German circuit learning German race tactics and just where German guys shave themselves in theshower, we had an epic journey of some 17 hours in one tow (complicated by a closed tunnel in the Alps).

The boats, tents, trailers are all based at the Toscano Moderno Sailing Club, where we are camped in a beautifulolive grove by the lake with mountains behind and in front of us. Sunday saw a practice race and opening ceremonyin which we paraded the union flag through the arena (somewhat self-consciously!). This was followed by welcomingspeeches and drinks/nibbles – a great start. The assembled crews seem determined to shrug off the loss of theTornado as an Olympic Class and have a great time sailing this week. There are of course plenty of side discussionsabout the future and how to manage the Class going forward Monday morning has arrived, with another sunny day, so we have started with a quick swim in the lake. Feels bizarreto sail/swim in such a large body of water and yet in not be salty afterwards. Next off to do the first 2 races –breeze looks a 2 at present.

admin · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:40 am Post subject:

Day 1, breeze was a force 2-3 during the morning so the racing was moved to the north end of the lake to gain more wind. This involved a 10km downwind sail up Lake Garda in gorgeous sunshine and meant the racing area was framed by steep rock walls rising out of the lake.

Race 1 saw winds nearer a 3. 39 boats were sailing and the local wind conditions meant that the entire fleet went right under the rock walls. John Ready got a 19th and we got a 35th, struggling for upwind speed in the light airs.

Race 2 were nearer a force 2. With a much better start we made it up a place to 34 whilst John made a 23rd.

Post racing the 10km back upwind was tough with the wind dropping off so the tow for the final kms was well appreciated.

admin · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:15 am Post subject:

Day 2, light winds so racing area moved to north end of the lake. Fantastic sight to see 17 Tornados being towed up behind one Committee boat (big engine!). Wind was very light, barely a Force 2 at times. John Ready had a couple of good results with a 9 and 15, whilst we struggled to even get the boat moving despite pulling everything in sight and had a 38 and 37.

Day 3, up at 06:00 for an 08:00 start but no wind again so back in waiting for an afternoon breeze (force 4-5 would help us!)

admin · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:25 am Post subject:

http://www.sailbrightlingsea.com/forum/imgthumbnail.aspx?Image=6\Picture%20005.jpg

http://www.sailbrightlingsea.com/forum/imgthumbnail.aspx?Image=6\Copy%20of%20Picture%20017.jpg

Some images from the event so far....

admin · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject:

http://www.tornado-class.org/FR_01___.HTM

John Ready is 17th with Paul Mines laying 38th. Only one race was managed today but in light conditions with no trapezing.

AGM tonight with Paul Mines and Andrew Dowley both up for a place on the ITA Committee.

admin · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject:

Day 3, Race 5 started with a bit more wind and Stu even clipped onto the trapeze on the first upwind leg (although neither of us went out on the wire) but then the wind died and some 10 boats were DNF as they failed to finish with the allotted time. We have our own fun with a spinnaker block failed at the top of the mast and unable to bring it down without a deliberate capsize to swim to the top of the mast.

Race 6 on Wednesday was canceled (that's right no wind). Despite this we are keeping our spirits up and the trees are moving today.....

admin · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject:

Went out for a fantastic race in a Force 4, well that is what I wanted to write, actually it started a 2 and fell (again) Things were looking promising before the start when Stu actually wired for a moment but it still fell away. Came last on the water after a very long race.

admin · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:58 am Post subject:

Well that's it.....no racing on Friday... we packed the boat and we are off to Whitstable for the Nationals on Saturday and Forts Race Sunday, 923 miles to go .... let's hope there is some wind there.