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Tasar class Navy
By ABCIS Jessica Barr
Volume 50, No. 14, August 09, 2007 |
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FINE STYLE: Navy personnel competed in the 2007 Tasar World Championships in Thailand last month. Pictured are MIDN Andrew Foulkes and LSMT Darryl Bentley who finished 27th.
Photo: Philip Lawson |
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In early July five members of the ADF Sailing Association (ADFSA) travelled to Phuket, Thailand to participate in the 2007 Tasar World Championships, competing against field of 58 boats representing Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand and the United States.
The ADF contingent, racing in three Tasars, consisted of former world Tasar champion CDRE Rick Longbottom and daughter Carmen, LSMT Darryl Bentley, MIDN Andrew Foulkes, SGT Ross Macdonald and ABCIS Jessica Barr.
Nine races were held over five days in conditions ranging between 15 to 25 knots, magnificent conditions for racing Tasars. In addition to these fresh winds, sailors had to overcome strong tides, tough wave patterns and a monsoonal squall all in 30+ degree tropical heat.
After some highly competitive races the regatta was won by former Olympic sailor Jonathon McKee and wife Libby Johnson-McKee from the United States. The ADF team competed strongly with CDRE Longbottom and Carmen finishing 23rd, LS Bentley and MIDN Foulkes finishing not far behind in 27th place with 43rd position taken by SGT Macdonald and AB Barr.
The ADFSA sailors thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to participate at an international level and will use this experience to help prepare for the Australian Tasar Championships in Adelaide starting late in 2007 with a distant eye on the 2009 World Championships in Japan. |
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