Detailed report from last month's 4.7 Youth Worlds in Greece

Photo: Nikos Zagas

By Craig Ryan

Our DBSC sailors were all boys this year and really did us all proud and we hope to see some of our talented DBSC ILCA4 girls heading to the worlds next year. Jack Restuccia, Cormac Johnston and Healy Ryan all performed well in the Hellenic Nationals during the preceding week whilst Charlie Byford attended a European ILCA training camp! These boys kept getting better as they gained experience and knowledge on the race course as well as coming to terms with the extraordinary heat and wildfire emergencies around them. As only teenagers can, they took it all in their stride and just got on with the job of sailing.

Conditions were mostly lighter sea breeze’s than are common in Australia but develop bigger waves than on the east coast sailing locations because of the increased fetch. Many of the larger European sailors showed a different technique to Australian sailors and were able to use their body much more successfully to move the boat over the waves and take advantage of their strength…. So many things to learn.

The DBSC boys took it all in from the pomp and ceremony to the hard fought mark roundings. The Australian team had no boys in the top 100 last year but 5 this year so things are looking up for this relatively inexperienced group of hard working and motivated sailors. 

Results for our DBSC sailors were:

• Healy Ryan 31st U16, 15th in silver fleet and 87th overall (U18).

• Charlie Byford 70th U16, 27th in bronze fleet and 171st overall.

• Jack Restuccia 27th in bronze fleet and 205th overall.

• Cormac Johnston 90th U16, 8th in emerald fleet and 231st overall.

A huge thanks to Ben Byford for organising the highly sought-after team uniforms and coach boat.

Healy, Charlie and Jack have also given their insights into some of the highs and lows from the regatta…

Craig: What was your best race, and why?

Healy: In the second last race I put everything into practice that I had learnt throughout the regatta. I made minimal mistakes and came away with a second place in the silver fleet.

Jack: My best race was the first race of the final series. I generated a plan and made the decision to go right. I ended up executing it well and rounded mark 1 in the top 15. After the bottom mark I slipped back a bit, but it felt great to be at the pointy end of such a competitive fleet.

Charlie: My best race was race two on the first day of the finals. This was a windy race and my fitness and heavy wind technique (which I have focussed on) made me very competitive. I had great boat speed and had the freedom to go in a low mode when fully hiking. I ended up with an 8th in that race which I was really happy with.

Craig: What were some of the most challenging things (onshore and/or on-water) that you encountered at the regatta and how did you try to manage that?

Healy: I think that trying to stay cool was a real challenge, even jumping into the water didn’t cool you down because it was 28 degrees. Especially with the light breezes in the morning being held onshore in 35-40 degree weather was hot! Drinking pure ice-cold water whilst staying in the shade was definitely compulsory for anyone who wanted to do succeed at the regatta!

Jack: The most challenging aspect of sailing in Volos was the large chop with little wind. The most difficult onshore aspect was the heat; staying hydrated and not getting sunburnt.

Charlie: A big challenge was drinking and eating enough. An onwater challenge was remaining consistent in the oscillating breeze.

Craig: What was an onshore highlight from the regatta?

Healy: The opening ceremony was definitely the onshore highlight, starting off with the parade. The Aussies stole the show and had a lot of fun. There were speeches, dances and meals. We did have to leave early with racing the next day but it was definitely a great experience.

Jack: My favourite onshore moments were the opening ceremony and the cancelled Day 6. The opening ceremony because I got to meet the rest of the team, and Day 6 because I got to meet a lot of people from all over the world.

Charlie: The onshore highlight of the regatta was either blasting “What a bloody great day to go sailing” —The Wolverines, or the trading on the last day.

Craig: What did you learn most from the regatta?

Healy: I learnt how much you need to move your body around. Sailing against the best ILCA 4 sailors in the world shows you what you need to do, and the few times I was near the front of the fleet it was extremely noticeable how much everyone was moving around and how aggressive it was, with or against the waves and it was certainly a game changer as I learnt how to do it too.

Jack: The importance of a decent start.

Charlie: I learnt that consistency is key and good starts and sticking to a plan will lead to good races.

Craig: What was your favourite Greek food?!

Healy: It would have to be chicken souvlaki, almost every second night was a good souvlaki of any kind but whenever you ordered a chicken souvlaki it was never disappointing

Jack: Souvlaki

Charlie: My favourite Greek food was a pork gyros.

Thanks to Craig and the boys for the entertaining report… and for doing DBSC so proud. It was clearly a great regatta and a fantastic experience for you and your families.