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23.1.2002
Aussi Formula Racing Nationals report, featuring
Clayton Dougan
With Claytoun Dougan coming 2nd Overall this report is definitely
worth while mentioning.. here goes:
"2002 Australian Formula Windsurfing
Championship. (by Brett morris)
Elwood Sailing Club as part of the Sail Melbourne International
Regatta hosted the Australia's 2nd annual Formula Championship. A
5day program commenced on Sunday 10jan2002 with registration and invitation
race in the afternoon if time and conditions permitted. This was to
be followed by 4 days of racing with a maximum of 12 races. 3 drops
would apply if 11 races were completed. It should be noted that the
stakes were high as the top 2 Australians qualify to represent Australia
at the "World Sailing Games" in France June 2002.
Registration and measuring of equipment was extremely efficient with
a maximum of 3 sails and fins being presented and one board to be
weigh to make sure it complied with the strict (but simple) Formula
tolerances.
Unfortunately conditions did not allow for an official invitation
race to take place with a direct off shore wind of 5 knots one minute
and 25knots bullets moments later. The race committee did however
set a course for those interested in some last minute preparation
on the water.
Monday 11Jan.2002, Northwest 25-35knots, 1.5-2meter swells.
Race committee wisely decided to cancel the days racing as the beach
break and wind continued to build past the limitations of safety.
Tuesday 12Jan.2002, Northwest
10-15knots, 1-1.5meter swells. Both predicted to build.
Race 1. Sam Parker (Drops MB15-Neil Pryde RS1) was the quickest to
adapt to the relatively light wind and large swell, taking out the
first race before the time limit expired due to an unusually large
windward return course.
Race 2. Wind increased to 15-20knots. Russell Brice (Gaastra Nitro2.5)
demonstrated some of the skills learned from participating in the
Formula Euro Cup. Russell won with Sam Parker coming home in 2nd.
Race 3. Wind and swells still on the increase. Sam Parker made it
2 wins from 3 races with Tasmanian Stephen Charles (Starboard 186-KA
Sails) making his mark in 2nd.
Race 4. Wind now gusting 25knots, combined with an angry sea.
Russell Brice sailed a superb heat to take the gun with young Kiwi
(NZ) Clayton Dougan (AHD 95-Neil Pryde RS1) recording his best
place for the day in 2nd.
Race 5. Competitors were reminded that fitness as much as finesse
is all part of racing when the race committee decided to push on with
another heat to make up for the previous lost day. David Morehead
(Starboard 186-KA Sails) became the 3rd winner in 5 races and in the
process reminded everyone that the Tasmanians were serious about Formula
racing. Clayton Dougan finished the day with another 2nd.
Russell Brice deserves a special mention.
Not only did he win 2 out of 5 races on the day, but achieved so holding
down a 12meter sail in what can only be described as very testing
conditions. A true testament not only to the stability of modern race
sails, but as to his physical abilities.
Wednesday 13Jan.2002, Southwest 12-18knots.
Race 6. Warm weather combined with a constant sea breeze, set the
stage for a full days racing. Race committee opted for the Box course
configuration. Mike Nelson (Drops MB15-Neil Pryde RS1) victory produced
the 4th winner from the 6 races to date. He was followed home by one
of the ever-present Tasmanian David Morehead.
Race 7. Mike Nelson made it 2 from 2 on the day, with Clayton Dougan
making it 3 seconds in 4 races.
Race 8. Wind increased enough for many to justify changing down to
mid size sails. That said Clayton Dougan remained on his 12.2m
to take the gun and in the process making it 5 winners from 8 races.
Mike Nelson made 2nd and effectively sailed himself right back in
contention for the title.
Race 9. Sam Parker finished the day in style accounting for the last
race of the day with David Morehead completing a satisfying day with
another 2nd place.
Thursday 14Jan.2002, Southwest
9-13knots.
Race 10. Warm sea breeze combined with the lightest conditions of
the series. Again the Box course was utilized. Mike Nelson knowing
he needed to pull out a big one to ease the point's pressure for the
last race established the largest winning margin of the series. Clayton
Dougan produced a vital 2nd place though to make sure that the
last race would be a 3-way battle with Sam Parker for the title. It
should also be noted that Alison Shreeve Mistral one-design skills
hadn't been wasted when she came home in 4th.
Race 11. Sam Parker did all he could do by winning the last race with
Clayton Dougan producing yet another 2nd place. Unfortunately
for both, Mike Nelson came home in 3rd and in the process claimed
the overall victor, by just .6 of a point from Clayton Dougan
with Sam Parker another 1.1points adrift.
Summary
34 entries with 30 starters up from just 8 competitors 12 months earlier
enjoyed excellent well-run racing in a fantastic location. With 5
different winners from 11 heats and just 1.7 points separating 1st
from 3rd it is fair to say that Formula windsurf racing is and will
continue to develop as a first class racing scene in Australia. 2
Tasmanians, 2 NSW, a Victorian and a Kiwi made up the top 6 positions,
giving a fair indication of the spread of talent emerging throughout
the country. This combined with the enthusiasm demonstrated by both
competitors and officials almost guaranteed the continued growth of
Formula Windsurfing in Australia.
Open
1= Mike Nelson Drops MB15 Neil Pryde RS1. 11, 9.8, 8.4
2= Clayton Dougan AHD95 (hollow) Neil Pryde RS1.12.2, 9.8, 9
3= Sam Parker Drops MB15 Neil Pryde RS1. 11, 9.8, 9
4= David Morehead Starboard 186 KA.10.5, 9.5
5= Russell Bryce Gaastra Nitro2.5. 12, 9.8"
12.1.2002
Clayton Dougan (AHD/NeilPryde) 2nd at Australian
Formula Champs !
One week of solid racing near Melbourne
was enough of an incentive for Clayton to go overseas, partially also
as preparation for the upcoming NZ Nationals which will be held early
February in Christchurch. Clayton Dougan (AHD/Neil Pryde) is fairly
happy with his overall 2nd placing, his gear seemed to be nicely tuned,
altough somewhat disappointed with a few mistakes made, as the overall
title would have been in reach. Clayton finished second only 0.6 points
behind the winner.
To see the full results, go to the official Race Website:
http://www.sailmelbourne.com.au/esc/windsurfing/SGrp1.htm
Here are also a few comments from Clayton,
written during the contest:
"Good to be overseas and am all geared up for some action
!
The racing is full on competitive , and we've had all kinds of conditions!
The first day racing I went from being fully underpowered on my 9.8
to the most extreme racing ever. Huge braking chop and really powered.
I was on the edge the whole time downwind....
Second day I started out nicely on my 12.2 and it slowly got up to
about 18 knots. Decided to stay on the 12.2 because it was working
well on the course.
Great being able to crash at Russ' and Tasha's place, enjoying their
hospitality after a hard day's racing ! Cheers guys !
In 3rd position after 5 races.... things aren't looking too bad. Hoping
for more races as I feel good and winning the event is possible !
The last day offered some 8-15 knots, and two races were held. Got
second twice which resulted in an overall second. Bugger, missed first
place by 0.6 but guess can be quite happy with the whole event.
Good experience, great racing, was
well worth the trip!"
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