Hungarians Win Flying Dutchman World Championship

Defending champions, Szabolcs Majthenyi and Andras Domokos (HUN) scored an early New Year’s gift today, winning the Flying Dutchman Worlds for the second time running, when the final day’s racing was abandoned due to excessive winds (clocked at 40 knots at its height), at the Sail Melbourne event at Sandringham Yacht Club today.

Originally, the series was to consist of seven races, but due to unseasonal weather, including lack of wind and too much of it at times, Race Officials at Sandringham had no choice but to wind the series up early.

‘We are happy to win, but sorry that we could not finish the series, it would have been nice to have the last race,’ Szabolcs said this afternoon. The pair never really looked like being beaten, sailing consistently well throughout, as sailors of their calibre do, and making it look easy in the process.

Second place getters, Norman Rydge/Richard Scarr (AUS) were elated with their podium finish, although disappointed they did not have the opportunity of one more race – only three points separated them in the overall score – Szabolcs with 15, Rydge 18.

Hans-Peter Schwarz/Peter van Koppen (GER), ranked No. 1 in the World, finished third after sailing consistently well to end their series on 21 points, with Brett Beyer/Roddy Johnson (AUS) fourth with 24.

Both Australian crews, for obvious reasons, were eager to have one more race.

‘We have mixed feelings about finishing up early, both our top crews (Australian) like the heavier weather, it’s a shame today was just a bit too heavy. The Race Officials did the right thing today though, they had no other choice, but still …..,’ Rydge commented, expressing the wishes of most competitors for one more race.

Experienced Principal Race Officer, Ross Wilson and his crew had difficult five days weather wise, trying to do the right thing by the sailors.

‘It’s been a little frustrating for especially the international crews who would have liked to have a look around Melbourne while they were here, but some days there was no wind and other times too much, so a lot of time was spent sitting around waiting to see if we could race, Rydge said’

Of his second place, the 45 year old Sydneysider had this to say, ‘we’ve never figured in even the top ten before and here we are second, something I never expected, and Brett and Roddy (new NSW State Champions), did really well too, I am happy for them and for the Australians in general, but I would have loved to have taken on the others in the fresher winds – we are at our best.

Roberto Cipriani/Stefano Morelli (ITA) who finished in fifth place overall, were also disappointed not to get a final race in, hoping to improve on their overall placing. As Morelli said, ‘we were starting to get going, to race today; we might have a chance of a better result, maybe.’

Former three-time World champions, Ian ‘Freddy’ McCrossin/James Cook, finished their regatta in sixth place overall. The pair, now in their fifties are still, according to others, a pair to be reckoned with, despite their ages.

Branded the ‘local hero’s’, Victorian’s Gavin Dagley/John Dryden were over the moon to finish seventh overall. The pair have only sailed together for eight months and made it look easy. ‘We are extremely happy with our seventh place, it was unexpected, but a nice feeling just the same,’ Dryden said.

In protests from yesterday, Szabolcs/Domokos were disqualified from their final race, but it did not affect win. The jury found ‘HUN 70 was to give way on port tack and failed to keep clear of NED 327 (Frank Nooijen/Geert Rollingswier). Protest upheld, HUN 70 DSQ under Rule 10’.

In the other incident of yesterday, involving two Dutch boats, Klaas Tilstra/Adriaan Schmal (NED 12) v Frank Havik/Guido Alkemade (NED6) – the jury found ‘NED 6 was give way boat on port tack and failed to keep clear of NED 327. Protest upheld – Rule 11.’

A prize giving for the Worlds will be held this evening at Sandringham Yacht Club.

Other Sail Melbourne racing was abandoned today, including the 420’s at Mornington, due to excessive wind conditions.

Racing is scheduled to resume on Port Phillip Bay tomorrow, although the Weather Bureau has predicted even worse weather, with some parts of the coast expected to be on the receiving end of hail.

For information and full results, go to the official website:

www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Di Pearson