Winds blow over 16 in Seawind F18 Worlds
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Article Date: 2007-02-20
View Count: 783
Sixteen boats capsized and three sailors were left needing medical attention after severe weather conditions on the first day of the Seawind F18 Worlds caused chaos off the Australian coast of Yeppoon.
Although the wind was blowing at no more than 15 knots at the beginning of the day the swell from three days of strong southerly winds made conditions comparable to a 25 knot draft.
One Queensland sailor tore tendons and ligaments in his upper leg after ducking a capsized boat while two other crewmen bruised their ribs and ankles following other crashes.
Australia's Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby emerged victorious after a tumultuous day's racing while triple world champion Mitch Booth and his crew Pim Nieuwenhis from the Netherlands came in second.
On the beach Darren Bundock explained: "Once we sailed into the lead we were able to consolidate and then sail a little conservatively as the conditions strengthened.
Mitch Booth was pleased with his performance: "The conditions were exactly what we expected, strong wind, lumpy seas and with the rough seas plenty of wipeouts. The lead changed five or six times, there were no dark horses at the top of the fleet."
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