OceanBuro Crew make big impression on Australian offshore circuit

8:49 AM Wed 22 Apr 2009 GMT

'Adrian Finglas (Youth squad training) at RQYS last week' Ian Grant Click Here to view large photo

Mooloolaba's high performance OceanBuro yacht racing crew have continued to make a big impression on the Australian offshore sailing circuit.

The crew headed by principal helmsman Rod Jones expressed their combined experience to become the pacesetter when they won the Audi Australian IRC championship with the European built Archambault A35 Alegria at Hamilton Island in August 2007.

They toughed it out winning their class at the Skandia Race Week in Geelong followed by an outstanding performance in the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta and firmed a vice-grip on the prestigious Audi Australian championship trophy with another equally impressive class win in the physically demanding Sydney to Gold Coast race.

Now two years later the basic crew of good sailing mates have shown their class again with the larger Archambault A40 Alegria to record an almost identical score to currently lead the 2009 series over a strong fleet including the 2008 Rolex Sydney Hobart winner Quest.

However the sole Queensland challengers are yet to face the blast from the cold 'Southerly Busters' when they line up for the character testing Sydney to Gold Coast Race in late July.

They will base their tactical strategy around the navigational notes logged during 2007 and apply them to the prevailing wind velocity and current flow however the pressure of the competition will still require the Alegria crew to sail smart every second of every mile to retain supremacy over their interstate rivals who will be keen to win back some lost pride.

Skipper Rod Jones will have a wealth of talent on deck including sailing master Sean O'Rourke, Navigator James Walker and Audi World Etchells champion Bucky Smith.

However Rod Jones may have to find a replacement tactician for Adrian Finglas who helped to plan the successful tactical strategy at the Geelong and Sydney Harbour regattas.

Adrian Finglas will pack his sea bag in early July and head for Rio de Janeiro as the coach of the Australian Volvo World Youth championship team.

He has a busy schedule on the international coaching circuit and is unlikely to be onboard Alegria however skipper Rod Jones is keeping the position open.
The skill of Adrian Finglas as a competitive skipper, tactician and coach has played a big role behind Queensland crews achieving outstanding results in recent months.

Over the past four months the super sailor has played a role in guiding Yachting Queensland Youth Squad to five individual National championships then combined with Sam Heritage to win the Australian 505 class Silver Medal in Sydney besides his important tactical role with Alegria in the in the opening two regattas of the 2009Audi Australian IRC championship.

Coach Finglas was also the back room master mind when Jason Muir, Matt Chew, Paul Wyatt combined with the Sunshine Coasts Bucky Smith to win the 2009 Audi World Etchells championship in Melbourne.

Jason Muir and the Racer XY crew considered the modest coach as part of their team and showed their appreciation by making sure he was in Melbourne when they received their Gold Medals as the 2009 World Champions.

by Ian Grant

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Sailing

OceanBuro Crew make big impression on Australian offshore circuit

Sports/News

Weather Forecasts & Live Reports

Buy & Sell/Classifieds