DTU Sailing Team in action at SYWoC

Results SYWoC 2006

1st Ireland
2nd Portugal
3rd England, Southhampton (Defenders)
4th Scotland
5th USA
6th France
7th England, Cambridge
8th Poland
9th Denmark
10th Japan
11th Italy
12th France (the organizers)
13th Germany

The team with the lowest point score is the winner of SYWoC. Points correspond to the place obtained in the races (first place gets one point and so on). One penalty point per race is given to teams not complying with one of the following rules:
- minimum two girls per team
- maximum age of 26 for all team members

Day sevenFarewell Lorient

The closing ceremony is over and our hangovers are fading. We are now ready to leave Lorient and go back to Denmark and DTU with a lot of good memories and racing experiences.

Now we are heading for a fun Saturday evening and cozy Sunday in Paris.

Day sixA stormy final!

(3rd Nov) Last day of races for DTU Sailing Team at SYWoC. After a hectic day yesterday, the team was motivated for the last race of the event. A total of 12 races had been planned leaving only one race to decide who of the leading teams would win; Scotland, Ireland or Portugal? Only a few points separated these teams so the jury opted for the most tactical of the courses- a long (1.5 miles) upwind/down course.

Out on the sea, it was difficult to hang on to the boat slamming from wave to wave in the gusty winds. The economy responsible on DTU Sailing Team didn’t hesitate to take the decision of not setting any spinnaker today. But we never made it to the top mark anyway. After the first tack we discovered that one of the battens in the main sail had been ripped of. To avoid destroying the sail seriously we unfortunately had to cancel this last race and head for land.

Ireland took the risk of setting the spinnaker and flew over the finishing line in front of Portugal and the Defenders from Southhampton, England.

In the evening we all got wet again, when SYWoC 2006 ended in a happy free bar party.

Day fiveOut for a swim...

Wind keeps rising and life is getting tougher... an action packed day for DTU Sailing Team!

First the we touch the Italian boat when they performed a crazy manouevre tacking right in front of us in the starting line.

Second, we missed a buoy after a major knock out in a gust that left the spinnaker flying free above the yacht while water splashed over the leeward rail.

And finally, the germans took us for a swim. Sailing with wind on our starboard give us the right of way... the germans didn't seem to know - at least they didn't make way for us. Result; we had to tack on the (very!) last moment leaving half of the crew hiking in the water. Protest!

Day fourWind is rising!

(1st Nov) Happy birthday Sara the sailor!

The day started late after yesterday's long journey. The (merciful) SYWoC organization spared the crews and let everyone rest their sore bodies. Two races were planned- one upwind/dowind course and an inshore race. With the wind rising and the temperature going down the last days making sailing much more demanding. DTU Sailing Team tried to hang tight and placed some mid table results- 7th and 8th.

In the night the offcial SYWoC Tv - Starboard TV - presented a short movie with a collection of the best moments so far.

Day threeNight racing

(31st Oct) This was a long day... Three races planned- two upwind/downwind races and to finsh the day, a night race! For the first races the organization had chartered a helicopter for magnificent aerial shots of the race. DTU Sailing Team did very well with the cameras on and posted a 2nd place in the second race after a 7th in the first.

After a short stop in Ile de Groix (island in front of Lorient)it was time to start the long race. It took us around 4 hours to round the island arriving in 7th place. A race marked by a beautiful moonlit but with the boat standings unchanged since the first buoy.

Day twoWe are racing

We got wind already today - two days earlier than expected. The first race started on time as scheduled. It was our first race together as a team in the Mumm30. We became the 8th boat to cross the finishing line in the first race, but quickly caught up in the second race, where we became number 4 out of 13 boats in all. Now we just have to keep the fast rate of learning!

Day oneNo wind means no race

There is absolutely NO WIND in Lorient these days! A high pressure is passing the area bringing heavy morning fog and leaving our sails hanging flat.

Everyone was eager to sail so all teams went out at sea optimistically waiting for more wind. It didn't happen. After lunch and lazying at the deck the first racing day was cancelled. The forecast show no wind until wednesday...

Day zeroFirst practice

(28th Oct)The crew is finally together in Lorient ready for what they are here for- sailing!

The day started early at the harbour checking the equipment on the boat. But was interrupted by the offcial opening cerimony held at Lorient's town hall. After a short welcoming speach by the race organizers it was time to hurry back to the boat just in time for the first practice.

Although this area is known for its rought weather the fact is that there is almost no wind at all.  This first practice was and oportunity for everyone to become acquainted with the boat.

The day ended with a great buffet where all crews served typical food from their own contries. Our delicious 'frikadeller' and the american McDonald burgers where the first to fly.

Movie from first practice...click here!

Arrived in Lorient

Half of the crew arrived to foggy Lorient this morning. Fortunately there is no storm around here - we could actually use alot more wind!! Now registering, looking around and waiting for the other half of the crew to arrive early morning.

Tomorrow is the first and only training. We get 4 hours in total to get familiar with the Mumm30's.

On the road to SYWoC...

… DTU Sailing Team’s has planned a set of sailing practices onboard “Carpe Diem” a beautiful, Danish built, Match 31. The main emphasis of these practices has been on the manoeuvres, especially on the approach to the buoys as it is at this point that the whole team has to work as a Swiss watch- synchronization is the keyword in this sport. A typical upwind downwind course was previously set and the imaginary race was ready to go! The course was made short in order to have as much pressure on the crew as possible with manoeuvres succeeding at great speed.

At the end of each practice, already in the comfort ness of the Langeliniekaj, the team would take some time to change some opinions, discussing what could have been done better and also to support each others good work

Last but definitely not least, note that these practices were made possible due to the kind cooperation from the team’s good friend Michael Larsen owner of “Carpe Diem”

Program

>The Official SYWoC program contains 5 following days of hard racing. We have just half a day of training before, to get used to the Mumm30 and the rough waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Ofcourse there will also be time for socializing with the other crews. BUT only if one important rule is not compromised: 8 hours of sleep everynight for all crew members!