Mirror Worlds 2009

[62816inBerlin]

Running up to the Mirror dinghy world championships, the UK open nationals have started yesterday.
With some relief I see that at least one brave entrant from the "New World" has joined the Aussie/Irish/British/South-African crowd. I understand that the New Zealanders may have too far to travel, but where are the Swedes and the Dutch (not to mention the sprinkling of Mirror Sailors in the diaspora)?
I wish Mateusz Bienczyk and his crew all success and fun as from tomorrow! I also wish all competitors fair sporting and lots of wind.

The Worlds home site is here. (http://www.sailracer.co.uk/events/event-v2.asp?eventid=16440)

They promise to publish lots of information and videos.

Day 1 was exciting, windy and there was some breakage.
It's good to see that the wooden hulls are still right up among the front-runners, in spite of the new frozen-snot hulls.
Results and pictures of flying and (wave-) mountain-climbing Mirrors at the Worlds web site:

http://www.sailracer.co.uk/events/v2-gallery.asp?eventid=16440&xml=16440.xml

I hope the photographers weren't too seasick.

Gernot H.

[Old Sailor]

Who says the Mirror can't be exciting. I never managed to get that kind of action on mine though.
Old Sailor
(P.S. There's a Canadian there.)

[62816inBerlin]

The Canadian in question is the said Mateusz Bienczyk, an OMDA member.

I was disappointed that not more nations have entered. There are still Mirror fleets in Sweden and the Netherlands, as well as scattered Mirrors in the "diaspora" in Denmark, Norway, the USA, Japan..... etc. (not to mention me in Germany).
Some even have Mirror Assn. Websites (even the Japanese).

Gernot H.

[62816inBerlin]

After rough weather during the UK open Nationals and the first day of the Worlds, a low-pressure area brought 25knot winds on Tuesday and the race committee decided to call off the day's series.
Look at the results to see the age spread of contestants, according to the listed birth-dates, it ranges from 67 (oldest skipper) to 9 (youngest crews), proving that a Mirror is definitely a boat for all ages. I admire the kids, as the weather and seas shown in the photo gallery would surely make many adults feel uneasy about going out to sail!

Gernot H.

[Saltiguy]

Best boat I ever owned. I sailed a Mirror for years in every condition, it fact, I used to love the heavy air days. She took a knock-down and popped right back up! I could do amazing tricks with that little boat.
One day there was a man and wife with a 505 doing final prep on a launch ramp just before launching. They had on their sailing gear, hooded suits, shoes, gloves, etc and seeing my little Mirror they cautioned me about going onto the lake that day and said it was "too windy" for me to go out in a little boat "like that".
They launched and headed out of the sheltered cove to the main lake where it was blowing hard. I launched, and followed a few minutes later. As soon as they got out onto the main lake they took a knockown and I caught up a few minutes later. They were in the water, unable to right the boat so I offered to tow them in - an offer they immediatly refused. Fact is, I could have done it if necessary. I hung around for awhile, literally sailing rings around them until a powerboat came by and offered them a tow back to the ramp. All that time, Mr and Mrs Smartypants were in the water watching me sail that Mirror with a look of disbelief, wondering how I could handle the boat so well. Truth was, it wasn't me as much as it was the boat. I could heel her over, get the sail in the water, and she'd pop right back up. Big waves? Heavy air? It didn't matter.
One nice thing about a little boat like that was that I could go all-out outfitting her without spending a fortune. I had Mylar racing sails from Holt in England, and top notch running rigging. The hull was perfectly finished, bright interior and Brightside exterior. Great little boat.

[Duncan Gibbs]

I can't wait to get mine on the water!

Looks like the cavalry about to charge:

http://www.sailracer.co.uk/gallery/16440/Wednesday/_ONZ4069.jpg

[62816inBerlin]

I refrain from making more comments: just go to the Worlds web site and enjoy the videos:

http://www.sailracer.co.uk/events/eventnews-v2.asp?id=1234&eventid=16440

Gernot H.

[Old Sailor]

Gernot thanks for promoting the Mirror. It is still a great little boat. Wish I still had mine.
Old Sailor

[obscured by clouds]

I can't wait to get mine on the water!

Looks like the about to charge:

http://www.sailracer.co.uk/gallery/16440/Wednesday/_ONZ4069.jpg

If you look at the end of the line and go up to the first ridgeline to that clump of trees just behind the end boat - that's where I live!

they should of had a cracking day today southerly wind 10kn, with a bit of leftover slop from yesterday. Should be ok for much of tomorrow too, but we're dodging frontal systems here at the moment.

[Duncan Gibbs]

Did Duncan ever get his Mirror fixed up?

Patience Doug! I'll be doing the final fairing of the hull this weekend, and maybe paint her too. The signwriter comes next weekend and I'll varnish the spars and paint their tips white then. Deck fittings and mainsheet whipping, may even parcel the stay & shroud tops just for that last touch of utter madness! :D

If you look at the end of the line and go up to the first ridgeline to that clump of trees just behind the end boat - that's where I live!

I knew that!!!! :D:D:D

[Hwyl]

I couldn't see any gunter rigs in there, they must all be bermudan to compete at that level.

[Duncan Gibbs]

I was just thinking EXACTLY the same thing! (This thread is psychic!!:D)

[TonyH]

If you look at the end of the line and go up to the first ridgeline to that clump of trees just behind the end boat - that's where I live!



You live in a clump of trees? Must be tough in winter!:D

[62816inBerlin]

<<If you look at the end of the line and go up to the first ridgeline to that clump of trees just behind the end boat - that's where I live!>>
Do you own a tree-house?? ;-)
Are you competing then, or just looking on?
My wife used to spend her childhood holidays in the area ... she remembers that it used to rain a lot. I wouldn't mind living near the sea though.
The videos have been extended to cover all of day 4 races.

http://www.sailracer.co.uk/events/eventnews-v2.asp?id=1234&eventid=16440

Gernot H.

[obscured by clouds]

Ok oK I live in a house which is obscured by the trees on the ridgeline... happy now? :D

Are you competing then, or just looking on?
My wife used to spend her childhood holidays in the area ... she remembers that it used to rain a lot. I wouldn't mind living near the sea though.


It still rains a lot.

Been here most of my life. Was a member of the sailing clunb and their events organiser for a spell, then left so now just a spectator.

The area is a superb sailing venue... no pollution, no commercial traffic, great views. It's the only place in Wales that has been recognised as a pre-olympic training base.

[62816inBerlin]

>>>> ... no pollution, no commercial traffic, great views.<<<<<< Sigh! :( I have to keep dodging the excursion ships that always turn up when you're tacking upwind in the narrowest of thoroughfares. They have right-of-way over small recreational vessels here.

Back to the topic:
http://www.sailracer.co.uk/events/eventnews-v2.asp?id=1234&eventid=16440 now has many Video clips of regattas and interviews with leading participants.

A father&son team are the new World Champions and most of the higher-ranked finishers are teenies. These kids really can sail!

Complete results at:
http://www.sailracer.co.uk/results_report.asp?status=0&usr=sr&event=6947

I found it interessting that the South African team included kids from poor families who otherwise would never have been able to travel abroad. They achieved a good place (26th out of 97 starters) in one of the oldest boats participating (# 50735 - a wooden boat). Wouldn't it be a great idea for sailing clubs all over the world to start similar sponsorships to get Ghetto-Kids to involve in sporting (and maybe crafting) activities? How about a PDR (http://www.pdracer.com/) competition along the lines of the soap-box derby movement?

The Mirror action will start again in Australia in 2011 (will Duncan be finished and sailing by then?)

BTW, when browsing around this topic, I realized that http://www.sailracer.co.uk/sailtv/ is showing videos of many regattas zeigt (such as 2009 Worlds of the 29er Skiffs on Lake Garda - but these are not wood boats, of course).

Gernot H.

[Duncan Gibbs]

Yes! Duncan WILL be finished and sailing by then! Hope the Pippin will be passed the measurer...

First coat of bottom paint went on last weekend. Sign-writer painting the name this weekend (and spar painting), last coat of bottom paint the following weekend. Deck fittings the weekend after that. Quick cut and polish the next and then launching a couple of hours later...