Ashby Sails News
Forumula 18 Worlds update
We had 3 races after a postponement due to lack of wind and then the breeze filled in to 8 to 12kts for race 1 and 2. We punched off the line in both 1st and second races on port through a gap mid line on black flag starts after general recalls. Lines were heavily pin biased which made it very hard to get off in a big fleet. High risk = high gain for us and we had a 2nd and 1st placing in race one and 2 of the day which took us to 4th position overall from 16th.
We did not get off the start well in the 3rd race which was lighter (7kts dropping to 3 or 4kts) and got bounced around trying to get a breath of fresh air after getting lee bowed off the start. The breeze continued to drop and we made our way slowly to the finish in the low 30’s to be 6th I think overall at the end of the day.
I think overall we has the second or 3rd best day in Gold fleet so were happy with that. Jimmy made some good calls in getting us through some tight gaps on port at the start. Almost just shut your eyes and go was the key!
6 more races to go and i think many teams will be hoping that some of today’s results can be their drop..
Day 1 Formula 18 Worlds Ashby & Spithill
After taking out the International A Class World Championships it is straight back into it for Aussie Sailor Glenn Ashby. He and fellow Americas Cup sailor James Spithill (AUS) have once again teamed on the Formula 18 Hobie Wild Cat for the World Championships in Erquy France.
Spithill was a last minute withdrawal from the International A Class World Championships due to an invitation to meet with President Barak Obama at the White House along with fellow BMW Oracle Team members. Spithill commented “ I am looking forward to getting back on the Hobie Wild Card and building on from the Dutch Open. It’s great racing!”
The duo will be up against an experienced fleet of a 158 entries. Whilst Ashby a previous Formula 18 World Championship Title holder and experienced Match Racer Spithill have not had a lot of on the water preparation, together feel confident they can mix it up with the top guys this week.
With day one of competition out of the way the duo had a mixed day with being hit in the first race causing quite a mark resulting in a 22nd. They followed with a 4th and 7th placing.
Ashby commented “ today wasn’t a great day for us, but it also could have been a lot worse! When we got back to the beach we found we were carrying about 20ltrs in the port hull. Looking forward to getting back on the water tomorrow”.
For more information contact: within Australia Mel on 0448 39 37 99 or Glenn Ashby +61 409 827 152 Email glenn@ashbysails.com
Regatta website: http://www.cvberquy.org
A-Class Worlds 2010 – Ashby wins seventh World Championship
‘Glenn Ashby wins his 7th A-Class Cat World Championships- Italy 2010′ Eva Fagnoli Click Here to view large photo
Brewin closed and was able to climb up into second place but fell back to third again, while Ashby held his lead drifting over the finish line to take out the World Championships.
Whilst Ashby and his fellow Australian’s are used to heavier conditions, this 2010 championship was sailed almost completely in light wind conditions and Ashby this week used sails which would have seen him seriously overpowered in the kinds of conditions that prevailed when he won the 2009 A Cat Worlds on Lake Macquarie, Australia. This will be Ashby’s 14th World Championship title.
Ashby said ‘I accepted early, that light wind was what the weather gods had dealt us and put my head into light weather racing’.
He continued. ‘It was super tough mentally today in extremely soft wind conditions. I’m very relieved to have gone the right way in the first upwind to defend my lead.
‘Congratulations to Stevie (Brewin) and Jack (Benson) for a great regatta. I will pack up now and look forward to the Formula 18 World Championships which start next week, with James Spithill. I am really happy and stoked with the win.’