Not a great day onboard Ericsson 4 - we watched a 30+ mile lead turn into a deficit of 10 miles in six hours, the victim of the Malacca Straits and its very light winds.
We were caught five miles further offshore than the chasing pack with our path blocked by a few small islands and a complete lack of wind.
It was also 37+ degrees inside the boat today - so the only comfort has to be had on deck, and with Telefónica Blue, Ericsson 3 and Puma all within view - it has really got the boys working hard - there is no way they will roll over after all the effort that had been invested to reach the scoring gate in first.
We had managed to get within 300m of Puma in a drifting race with only the tide moving us both - but they have now stretched this back out to around a mile - but its never say die onboard and we will keep the pressure on all in front of us until we find the opportunity to pass.
It has been very positive onboard - everyone was obviously gutted to be passed - but why waste time and effort on regrets - and so the attitude became one of trying to drag ourselves back into the action and with around 200 nm to go we feel there may be one or two chances to do this.
The potential is in place for a real fight to the finish - so stay tuned, just hope the weather plays ball!
Guy Salter MCM
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sailing : TELEFÓNICA BLUE LEG THREE DAY 10 QFB: received 22.10.08 0717 GMT
As bad the day before was, so good was yesterday. In the early afternoon, we wiggled ourselves in the lead. A big call had to be made to go either inside or outside a group of islands, and since the sky was clear, we opted to stay inshore, as most likely we would keep more pressure.
A very good call as Ericsson 4 opted to go outside and they paid heavily for that decision. They went from a comfortable first place to fourth, that must have hurt. From then on, we more or less stayed all the same until dawn was breaking.
Ericsson 3 was always within half a mile of us, and the other two a couple more behind. Then, at dawn, we had a huge park up again for a couple of hours, and our lead vanished, as a northerly breeze brought the other boats close to us. We were sailing under spinnaker and we were neck and neck with Ericsson 3. They passed us once, but then we passed them again. We had navigate through an area of shoals, so tricky for the navigators, not to let us run aground.
Then we got involved in an incident with Ericsson 3. We were both on opposite tacks, and we had the right of way. It resulted in us protesting Ericsson 3. I won't go into detail what exactly happened, so that I don't influence the international jury. The good news is that we got the entire incident on video tape.
From then on, we led until the early hours, all four boats within 1.5 miles, as if we were attached with a string, but then we parked up again. It was touch and go, if we had to anchor, as there was a strong current against us. It resulted in Puma and Ericsson 4 anchoring. We kept a whisker of breeze 2-3 knots and since we were still making slow progress, we separated together with Ericsson 3 from the other two.
I wasn't very happy with what happened, as we ended up going offshore, without actually making distance to the finish. And yes, the other two started moving again, and made huge gains. I didn't want to put all the eggs in one basket, and said to the guys, we have to bite the bullet and take their sterns, as we have seen a lot of things can happen in no time. Then we picked up a couple of nice shifts and all of sudden, we find ourselves again in the lead. Happy we didn't stay offshore!
So, hopefully, by tomorrow we are finished. Prediction on the result? What about this suggestion: we could as well decide with the other three skippers to throw the dice on who is going to win. So much for my prediction who is going to win.
Cheers,
Bouwe Bekking - skipper
A very good call as Ericsson 4 opted to go outside and they paid heavily for that decision. They went from a comfortable first place to fourth, that must have hurt. From then on, we more or less stayed all the same until dawn was breaking.
Ericsson 3 was always within half a mile of us, and the other two a couple more behind. Then, at dawn, we had a huge park up again for a couple of hours, and our lead vanished, as a northerly breeze brought the other boats close to us. We were sailing under spinnaker and we were neck and neck with Ericsson 3. They passed us once, but then we passed them again. We had navigate through an area of shoals, so tricky for the navigators, not to let us run aground.
Then we got involved in an incident with Ericsson 3. We were both on opposite tacks, and we had the right of way. It resulted in us protesting Ericsson 3. I won't go into detail what exactly happened, so that I don't influence the international jury. The good news is that we got the entire incident on video tape.
From then on, we led until the early hours, all four boats within 1.5 miles, as if we were attached with a string, but then we parked up again. It was touch and go, if we had to anchor, as there was a strong current against us. It resulted in Puma and Ericsson 4 anchoring. We kept a whisker of breeze 2-3 knots and since we were still making slow progress, we separated together with Ericsson 3 from the other two.
I wasn't very happy with what happened, as we ended up going offshore, without actually making distance to the finish. And yes, the other two started moving again, and made huge gains. I didn't want to put all the eggs in one basket, and said to the guys, we have to bite the bullet and take their sterns, as we have seen a lot of things can happen in no time. Then we picked up a couple of nice shifts and all of sudden, we find ourselves again in the lead. Happy we didn't stay offshore!
So, hopefully, by tomorrow we are finished. Prediction on the result? What about this suggestion: we could as well decide with the other three skippers to throw the dice on who is going to win. So much for my prediction who is going to win.
Cheers,
Bouwe Bekking - skipper
Sailing : PUMA LEG THREE DAY 9 QFB: received 21.Sent: 21.12.08 1536 GMT
A solid three iron. That is what it would take to whack a golf ball off the mainsail of half the fleet at this stage as we literally drift off the coast of Malaysia and its major city Kuala Lumpur.
And, when I say there is no wind, I mean complete glass off. Ericsson 4 came up to the Ericsson 3, Telefónica Blue and ourselves just after the sunset and the breeze died from in front of us. Fortunately, the tide is with us at this stage and we are making somewhere between .5 and 1.5 knots toward the finish. Telefónica Blue just snuck off a bit (as they always seem to do in drifting conditions and we actually have lost sight of Ericsson 3. Mainly because there stern light has blended in to the lights on the 100 or so fishing boats that surround us.
I wish I could say that this wasn't expected, but it was. Fishing boats and all.. Straight out of the leg three travel guide.
Much more racing to go. About 200 miles worth, which may seem like 2000 at this rate.
Kenny Read - skipper
And, when I say there is no wind, I mean complete glass off. Ericsson 4 came up to the Ericsson 3, Telefónica Blue and ourselves just after the sunset and the breeze died from in front of us. Fortunately, the tide is with us at this stage and we are making somewhere between .5 and 1.5 knots toward the finish. Telefónica Blue just snuck off a bit (as they always seem to do in drifting conditions and we actually have lost sight of Ericsson 3. Mainly because there stern light has blended in to the lights on the 100 or so fishing boats that surround us.
I wish I could say that this wasn't expected, but it was. Fishing boats and all.. Straight out of the leg three travel guide.
Much more racing to go. About 200 miles worth, which may seem like 2000 at this rate.
Kenny Read - skipper
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tennis : Finals Time at NZ Juniors Champs 18u
The semi-finals of the NZ Junior Champs 18u were held this morning (Monday) at Albany Tennis Park with the boys top seeds prevailing but not without some fight.
Riki McLachlan (Sthrn) started off well against number one seed Finn Tearney (Wgtn) taking a 3-0 lead in the first to unsettle Tearney. Tearney persevered to level the first 3 all, and then went to a tiebreak before prevailing. In the second it was all went Tearney's way with a 6 - 1 win in the second to secure his place in tomorrow's final.
It was an all Canterbury affair in the other semi-final between Barrett Franks and second seed Jordan Kelly-Houston. Kelly-Houston won the first set 6-3 before Franks turned the match to take the second 6-2. Kelly-Houston broke Franks serve in the fourth game to take the lead and went on to win the set 6-4.
Davis Cup Captain / Peak Performance Manager James Greenhalgh has been at the NZ Junior Champs all week and quotes "The future of men's tennis is looking bright with this crop of promising juniors emerging. It has been the best field depth-wise in the boys for many years. Three of the quarterfinalists have secured their main draw status in the all important Grand Slam Australian Open next month. This is a tribute to the RPC coaches who have developed world class training facilities for these high performance players to emerge. I look forward to seeing how their individual tennis careers evolve over the coming years."
In the girls semi-finals top seed Briar Preston (in main pic on homepage) was too strong for fellow Aucklander Imogen Golder winning her match in straight sets 6-2 6-2. Sixth seed Heidi Stewart (Wkto) continued her strong run in the tournament advancing into the final with a 6-0 6-2 win against Tiffany Wheelock (Nthrn) in their semi-final encounter.
For full results follow the link below
http://tennisnz.infonetwork.com/tournaments/results.asp?tid=5185619
Riki McLachlan (Sthrn) started off well against number one seed Finn Tearney (Wgtn) taking a 3-0 lead in the first to unsettle Tearney. Tearney persevered to level the first 3 all, and then went to a tiebreak before prevailing. In the second it was all went Tearney's way with a 6 - 1 win in the second to secure his place in tomorrow's final.
It was an all Canterbury affair in the other semi-final between Barrett Franks and second seed Jordan Kelly-Houston. Kelly-Houston won the first set 6-3 before Franks turned the match to take the second 6-2. Kelly-Houston broke Franks serve in the fourth game to take the lead and went on to win the set 6-4.
Davis Cup Captain / Peak Performance Manager James Greenhalgh has been at the NZ Junior Champs all week and quotes "The future of men's tennis is looking bright with this crop of promising juniors emerging. It has been the best field depth-wise in the boys for many years. Three of the quarterfinalists have secured their main draw status in the all important Grand Slam Australian Open next month. This is a tribute to the RPC coaches who have developed world class training facilities for these high performance players to emerge. I look forward to seeing how their individual tennis careers evolve over the coming years."
In the girls semi-finals top seed Briar Preston (in main pic on homepage) was too strong for fellow Aucklander Imogen Golder winning her match in straight sets 6-2 6-2. Sixth seed Heidi Stewart (Wkto) continued her strong run in the tournament advancing into the final with a 6-0 6-2 win against Tiffany Wheelock (Nthrn) in their semi-final encounter.
For full results follow the link below
http://tennisnz.infonetwork.com/tournaments/results.asp?tid=5185619
Tennis : ASB CLASSIC QUALIFYING WILDCARDS CONFIRMED
The four qualifying wildcards for the 2009 ASB Classic featuring the Kia Motors Singles and Doubles have been confirmed with two New Zealanders making the cut.
These will be the only two Kiwis receiving singles wildcards in either main draw or qualifying.
Auckland’s Sacha Jones (ranked at 319) who is currently at her Florida base has declined the offer of a main draw spot.
“I have decided that I want to continue working on my game and finish my six week strength and conditioning block as I really feel it will set me up for 2009,” says Jones.
Meanwhile Canterbury’s Ellen Barry who is ranked at 320 is unable to accept a wildcard as she is still recovering from wrist surgery.
Both players were recipients of main draw wildcards in 2008.
Di Hollands who has dominated the recent New Zealand Money Tournaments where she won all five titles including the New Zealand Residentials last week has earnt herself an automatic ASB Classic wildcard into qualifying.
Hollands, 25 has played for the New Zealand Fed Cup team in the past and is looking towards playing a full year on the international circuit in 2009.
Also gaining a place in the January 3-4 qualifying tournament is Auckland 19-year-old Kairangi Vano who has a current WTA ranking of 686 and is intending to compete in 2009 on the professional tour.
Dutchwoman, Michaella Krajieck who had a year disrupted by injuries is on the comeback and is the recipient of one of the four qualifying wildcards. She has a current WTA ranking of 219.
Krajicek who is still 19 has been ranked as high as 30 in the world and was the fourth seed at the 2008 ASB Classic. She was a Wimbledon quarterfinalist in 2007 and has three career singles titles to her credit.
In 2008 she was hindered with a wrist injury and also had knee surgery but still managed to score a quarterfinal result at ‘s-Hertogenbosch and won the doubles title at the same event with Kiwi, Marina Erakovic.
The fourth wildcard goes to Croatian 17-year-old Petra Matic who is rated as one of the world’s young players to watch. She is coached by Zoltan Kuharszky who has assisted Ana Ivanovic, Anke Huber and other top players in their careers.
"I am so excited to come to NZ for the first time and play in Auckland. I hear that NZ is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and that the tournament is a fantastic venue.
I'm a big fan of Lord of the Rings that I hear was filmed there so not only am I so thankful to the tournament for the opportunity to play there but also I’m excited to experience New Zealand as a country for the first time,” said Matic.
Her best result in WTA play in 2008 was reaching the quarters at the Potoroz tournament in Slovenia and won a US$75,000 ITF tournament as well.
The current cutoff for qualifying for the 2009 ASB Classic is a ranking of 165.
The ASB Classic will also feature on-court coaching for the first time as part of an initiative on Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
The tournament will once again feature audio and video podcasting as well as live scoring.
The ASB Classic featuring the Kia Motors Singles and Doubles will be played at the ASB Tennis Centre January 5-10, with qualifying January 3-4.
These will be the only two Kiwis receiving singles wildcards in either main draw or qualifying.
Auckland’s Sacha Jones (ranked at 319) who is currently at her Florida base has declined the offer of a main draw spot.
“I have decided that I want to continue working on my game and finish my six week strength and conditioning block as I really feel it will set me up for 2009,” says Jones.
Meanwhile Canterbury’s Ellen Barry who is ranked at 320 is unable to accept a wildcard as she is still recovering from wrist surgery.
Both players were recipients of main draw wildcards in 2008.
Di Hollands who has dominated the recent New Zealand Money Tournaments where she won all five titles including the New Zealand Residentials last week has earnt herself an automatic ASB Classic wildcard into qualifying.
Hollands, 25 has played for the New Zealand Fed Cup team in the past and is looking towards playing a full year on the international circuit in 2009.
Also gaining a place in the January 3-4 qualifying tournament is Auckland 19-year-old Kairangi Vano who has a current WTA ranking of 686 and is intending to compete in 2009 on the professional tour.
Dutchwoman, Michaella Krajieck who had a year disrupted by injuries is on the comeback and is the recipient of one of the four qualifying wildcards. She has a current WTA ranking of 219.
Krajicek who is still 19 has been ranked as high as 30 in the world and was the fourth seed at the 2008 ASB Classic. She was a Wimbledon quarterfinalist in 2007 and has three career singles titles to her credit.
In 2008 she was hindered with a wrist injury and also had knee surgery but still managed to score a quarterfinal result at ‘s-Hertogenbosch and won the doubles title at the same event with Kiwi, Marina Erakovic.
The fourth wildcard goes to Croatian 17-year-old Petra Matic who is rated as one of the world’s young players to watch. She is coached by Zoltan Kuharszky who has assisted Ana Ivanovic, Anke Huber and other top players in their careers.
"I am so excited to come to NZ for the first time and play in Auckland. I hear that NZ is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and that the tournament is a fantastic venue.
I'm a big fan of Lord of the Rings that I hear was filmed there so not only am I so thankful to the tournament for the opportunity to play there but also I’m excited to experience New Zealand as a country for the first time,” said Matic.
Her best result in WTA play in 2008 was reaching the quarters at the Potoroz tournament in Slovenia and won a US$75,000 ITF tournament as well.
The current cutoff for qualifying for the 2009 ASB Classic is a ranking of 165.
The ASB Classic will also feature on-court coaching for the first time as part of an initiative on Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
The tournament will once again feature audio and video podcasting as well as live scoring.
The ASB Classic featuring the Kia Motors Singles and Doubles will be played at the ASB Tennis Centre January 5-10, with qualifying January 3-4.
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