R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	TOTAL
PEGAN Zoltan	AUS	1	1	4	1	4	1	1	2	7
AMARAL Bento	POR	4	3	3	3	6	DNF	2	1	16
DIN ABDUL Karim	SIN	11	2	1	2	5	2	DNF	5	17
RIORDAN Chris	AUS	2	7	2	5	3	3	6	4	19
CUKARIÄ Diego	CRO	6	5	15	11	1	4	3	10	29
HARLE Simon	GBR	14	9	3	6	2	DNF	7	6	33
CITO Mario	ITA	OCS	6	5	4	10	DNF	4	12	41
JOHANSON Colin	AUS	3	8	6	9	12	DNF	9	9	44
PEREIRA Fernando	POR	7	4	8	DSQ	11	DNF	12	7	49
TAN Max	SIN	13	10	10	10	9	DNF	16	15	67
MEYER Herb	USA	12	12	12	7	13	DNF	11	14	69
DALMON Maria	AUS	9	DNF	14	12	7	DNF	15	16	73
ROSSATO Marco	ITA	5	DNF	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	5	3	76
ZULKIFLI Zul	MAL	16	11	13	13	16	DNF	13	13	79
DALMON Lindsay	AUS	12	DNS	9	DNF	DNF	DNF	10	8	81
MESSNER Helene	AUS	8	DNS	11	DNF	14	DNF	18	11	83
BRADLEY Bill	AUS	DNS	DNF	DNF	8	15	DNF	17	DNF	103
HESS Fred	USA	10	DNS	DNS	9	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	103
HASHIM "Shimah"	MAL	DNF	DNS	DNF	DNF	8	DNF	14	DNF	106
TSINGANOS Panayotis	GRE	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNF	DNS	DNS	8	DNF	113

FINAL RESULTS - World SP C'ship
(after two discards)

		R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	TOTAL
AMARAL Bento	POR	2	1	1	1	1	DNF	1	1	6
JOHANSON Colin	AUS	1	3	1	3	4	DNF	3	4	15
PEREIRA Fernando	POR	3	2	3	DSQ	3	DNF	6	2	19
MEYER Herb	USA	5	4	5	2	5	DNF	5	5	26
DALMON Maria	AUS	4	DNF	6	5	2	DNF	7	6	30
DALMON Lindsay	AUS	6	DNS	4	DNF	DNF	DNF	4	3	37
BRADLEY Bill	AUS	DNS	DNF	DNF	3	6	DNF	8	DNF	47
HESS Fred	USA	5	DNS	DNS	4	DNS	DNF	DNS	DNC	49
TSINGANOS Panayotis	GRE	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNF	DNS	DNF	2	DNF	52

CLASSIFICATIONS

		Classification
AMARAL Bento	POR	SP A PPS
HASHIM "Shimah"	MAL	SP B PPS
BRADLEY Bill	AUS	SP A PPS
CITO Mario	ITA	SP B PPS
CUKARIÄ Diego	CRO	SP D PPS
DALMON Lindsay	AUS	SP B T
DALMON Maria	AUS	SP B PPS
DIN ABDUL Karim	SIN	SP C PPS
HARLE Simon	GBR	SP B PPS
HESS Fred	USA	SP A PPS
JOHANSON Colin	AUS	SP B PPS
MEYER Herb	USA	SP A PPS
MESSNER Helene	AUS	SP D PPS
PEGAN Zoltan	AUS	SP D PPS
PEREIRA Fernando	POR	SP B T
RIORDAN Chris	AUS	SP C PPS
ROSSATO Marco	ITA	SP D PPS
TAN Max	SIN	SP D PPS
TSINGANOS Panayotis	GRE	SP A PPS
ZULKIFLI Zul	MAL	SP D PPS

DAILY UPDATES

Day 10 - Pack up, closing ceremony and farewell dinner (Monday 10 Oct)

L-R: Colin Johanson (AUS), Zoltan Pegan (AUS), Bento Amaral (POR) and Karim Din Abdul (SIN)

What a day. Everyone lent a hand and the container of 18 Liberty was packed in readiness for its journey back to Australia. At 10am the sailors held a meeting to discuss the future of single person sailing for severely disabled sailors. Serge Jorgenson, President of IFDS, was able to shed some light on the issue.

Afterwards everyone had a final tour of the old village to the top of Circeo, walking through the ancient streets.

The Closing Ceremony was held with much ado in the Town Square of Sabaudia. Many dignatories attended, including the Mayor, as well as the regional Army band who performed the national anthems, and the Italian flag throwers provided another exciting dispaly of this ancient art.

All the competitors were presented with memorial plates, while the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters in the Sabaudia's Cup and IFDS SIngle Person Dinghy World Championships were presented with trophies. Zoltan Pegan, coming first in the Sabaudia's Cup won a servo assist Liberty.

Sabaudia's Cup
1st - Zoltan Pegan (AUS)
2nd - Bento Amaral (POR)
3rd - Abdul Karim Din - (SIN)

IFDS Single Person Dinghy World Championship
Bento Amaral (POR)
Colin Johanson (AUS)
Fernando Pereira (POR)

The most interesting result of this regatta was the proof that sailors using servo assist sailors are just as fast as those sailing manually.

Luigi and Gabriella arranged an unforgettable evening of Italian traditional entertainment. Firstly a vocal group from Sardinia who performed music typical music of the region. Herb Meyer (USA) was asked to sing with the group. Herb is well know for his vocal renditions at regattas.

This group was followed by a folk group with piano accordian and drums. Their lively music enticed many to the dance floor. Dinner was delayed while Chris Riordan (AUS) captivated everyone as he displayed his percussion skills with the group.

As most teams and officials are leaving tomorrow, there were many tearful farewells. The sailors at the regatta showed dedication, determination, skill and above all a joy of living.

Excerpts from Jury Chairman's Report - Phillip Gage.

"During this race (Race 2) a whirlwind blew half a mile to leeward of the course and into the harbour. Two large fully formed waterspouts also came close by. The race was shortened at the half way point and the competitors went back to the harbour.

Despite these appalling conditions, the Liberty dinghies performed exceptionally well. They were able to keep going in very light wind and were not overwhelmed by the strong gusts that we experienced at times. Very little salt water entered the boats............

For the fourth racing day the weather had deteriorated as far as rainfall was concerned, and the strong outfow from a nearby river set up a muddy current over the race course, with large amounts of flotsam, tree branches, root and trunks. There was even a dead dog floating past the committee boat......"

IMAGES
Closing Ceremony
Photo 1 - Zoltan Pegan and Bento Amaral.
Photo 2 - Bill Bradley (AUS), Helene Messner (AUS) and Shimah (MAL).
Photo3 - Luigi Zambon, Organising Committee
Photo4 - Flag Throwers

Farewell Dinner
Photo5 - Chris Riordan (AUS), plays percussion.

Day 9 - Fifth Day of competion (Sunday 9 Oct)

At last - a sunny day. The final day of racing was conducted in fine weather with 8 knot breezes. The course was moved further out to sea to compensate for the strong currents caused by rain run-off. Zoltan Pegan (AUS)confirmed his first placing with another first and second placing. Bento Amaral (POR), sailing full servo assist, won race 8 and winning the World Championship. Sailors, family and friends celebratd and unwound at a relaxed dinner at Luigi's sailing school in Sabaudia.

The official closing ceremony will be conducted in Sabaudia's Town Square at 6pm on October 10 and will be an event to be remembered with the regional army band, traditional flag throwers and the Mayor in attendance.

Shortly final results and full reports will be posted.

IMAGES

Photo1 - Final day of racing. Photo taken from the top of Circeo.
Photo2 - The fleet returns to the harbour after 10 days of mostly gruelling conditions.
Photo3 - A busy dock as sailors are unloading and Liberty are prepared for shipment back to Australia.
Photo4 - The triumphant Portugese team.
Photo5 - Dinner at Luigi's sailing school
Photo6 - Chris Riordan (AUS) and classifier, Charlie Simpson.

Day 8 - Fourth Day of competition (Saturday 8 Oct)

(Apologies for the late posting, but during the storm the telephone lines came down and have only just been repaired.)

by Linda Merkle

The persistent low pressure system which has dominated the weather here continued to be a factor for sailors on Oct 8, day three of the Single Person Dinghy Worlds & Sabaudia's Cup being held in San Felice, Italy. Two races were held in light airs which forced shortening of both races. Complicating the racing was a current which was stronger than the wind, occasional downpours, ahnd flotsam deposited by runoff from the rain. Only one waterspout was sighted however!

With six races completed, four point separated the two leaders going on to the final day or racing. Zoltan Pegan (AUS) and Abdul Karim Din (SIN) continued their dominance of the fleet in the Sabaudia's Cup, while Bento Amaral (POR) held a solid 12 point lead in the World Championship.

Sailors in the World Championshiop are using servo-assisted steering and sail trimming systems which have held up very well despite the persistent rain during this regatta. Sunday promises an exciting conclusion to the event.

IMAGES
Photo1 - Waterspout
Photo2 - Dock activity
Photo3 - Herb & Katy Meyer (USA) and Zul (MAL)

 

Day 7 - Lay Day (Friday 7 Oct)

Rain on the Lay Day held off in San Felice Circeo. Many people wentb to Rome by Rome to explore for the day and unfortunately they were caught up in rain showers there. The others were driven 65 km south via the coast road to visit Gaeta. While the cobblestoned roads proved a challenge to some wheelchair users, the charm and history of the village certainly more than compensated.

Weather forecast for the final two days of racing is predicting more rain.

Day 6 - Third day of competition (Thursday 6 Oct)

The third day of racing in the IFDS Worlds and Sabaudia's Cup in Italy saw tight competition continue among second, thrid and fourth place sailors, with only one point separating them. Zoltan Pegan (AUS) held on to his domination of first place with a nine point lead following races three and four. The weather improved from the previous tgwo days; wind speeds averaged between seven and fourteen knots with a metre high chop and confused seas. The rourth race was shortened because of an approaching series of thunderstorms, which fortunately held off until all sailors were safely ashore.

IMAGES
Photo 1 - Classifiers preparing for the day.
Photo 2 - Racing on the Mediterranean. Photo taken from Circeo.
Photo 3 - Rounding the buoy.
Photo 4 - Zul Kifli Mohd Ali (MAL) preparing his Liberty and assisted by Pedro Cuna from Portugal.
Photo 5 - Dockside preparations.
Photo 6 - "Team Work". L-R Phillip & Trish Gage (Chair of Jury); Ian & Pauline Harrison (TD); Luigi & Gabriella (Chairman of Regatta Organising Committee).

Day 5 - Second day of competition (Wednesday 5 Oct)

By Zoltan Pegan (AUS)

"The sea was angry that day, my friends."
The wind had been blowing all night and was a steady 14 knots from the south east, but it must have been blowing from the west last night because there were short, steep rollers with a lumpy cross sea with little breaking crests where they crossed each other. When most of the fleet of 21 Liberty were out on the water a tremendous rain shower came in from offshore. I trimmed the jib to the centre and eased the main while pulling my neck in to keep so much water from running under my collar.

The fleet rode the waves beautifully with the nine servo assisted boats handling the extraordinary conditions superbly. When on a crest I could see the keel of nearby boats through the water. In the trough, just the sail was visible. But other than being wet, no-one was in trouble.

I also sail Sonars and 2.4mR's. A Sonar would have been bashing from crest to trough and a 2.4mR would have been swamped in minutes. I was glad that I was sailing a Liberty. The big green waves, water spouts, sun and rain - it was like a major amusemant park ride.

REPORT by Linda Merkle
The second day of the Single Person Dinghy World Championship saw Zoltan Pegan (AUS) continue to lead by taking another first. Conditions for the race were hardly ideal, dominated by the intermittent rain showers and choppy seas. Although wind speeds did not exceed 12 knots, the sea state and rain were such that racing was cancelled folloing the first race. An unusual feature was the several waterspurts which appeared along the edges of the rain showers.

Photo 1 - Maria Dalmon (AUS) sailing with Sabaudia Prima, the start boat.
Photo 2 - Marco Rossato (ITA) disappearing between waves.
Photo 3 - The sheltered Harbour.

Day 4 - First day of competition (Tuesday 4 Oct)

The Sabaudia's Cup and IFDS Single Person Dinghy World Championships got under way in San Felice Circeo, Italy where sailors with disabilities from nine countries sailed the colourful Access Liberty's. Conditions were difficult for the twenty-one sailors with a 9 knot breeze and battling with 2 metres confused wave action.

Nine sailors with severe disabilities competed using full servo assist winches to control helm and main and jib sheets. These sailors utilise their best moving body part to operate their joysticks, demonstrating their skill and determination in a joyous exhibition of their resolution to succeed. Currently, five of the top ten places go to servo assist sailors.

Day 3 - Opening Ceremony (Monday 3 Oct)

Teams from Portugal, Australia, Malaysia and UK

Rain washed out the second day of practice racing, with the sailors taking advantage of the free time to go shopping in nearby Latina. The last two competitors arrived from Australia and classifications were completed. The rain held off in the evening for the opening ceremony with a colourful and exciting display of traditional Italian flag throwing, followed by a buffet dinner. Sailors, support teams and officials are ready to race tomorrow.

 

Day 2 - Registration, Classification & Measuring
(Sunday 2 Oct)

The classifiers have been busy and most competitors have been classified. All boats and sailors have been weighed. Three practice races were held during the afternoon on relatively calm water with a bit of slop left over from an earlier squall. Breeze 8-10 knots.

All competitors, friends, family and officials are staying at Villaggio dello Mecede which is an old monastery with the capabilities of housing 25 guests with disabilities as well as another 75 able bodied guests. After the evening dinner everyone was entertained by live singers from this region of Italy. The last two competitors arrived this evening, so tomorrow proves to be another exciting day as the sailors hit the water for their final day of practice.

 

-2 days to go (Thursday, 29 Sept)

Today facilities at the venue in the porto were almost completed. Marquees erected, Liberty rigged, banks of batteries charging. Three hoists were installed at the dock. Panayotis Tsinganos (picture1) arrived from Greece, Fred Hess of Stockton California USA, as well the NSW Australian contingent of Bill Bradley, Maria and Lindsay Dalmon.

Picture2 below is Luigi's fully accessible Sabaudia Prima with wheelchair ramp from dock onto the boat. Italian sailor Marco Rossato and Luigi are nearby testing the hoist for the regatta.

Picture3 - Chris Mitchell tests the hoist.

-3 days to go (Wednesday, 28 Sept)

As sailors begin assembling from around the world, activity intensifies at the Yacht Harbour. The container is unloaded, Liberty are rigged, Mercedes transport vans are delivered to tranport sailors, carers and family to the sailing venue and social functions. This evening competitors from Australia, Greece and USA dine together at Villaggio dello Mercede.

-4 days to go (Tuesday, 27 Sept)

Action down at the Yacht Harbour at last. The crane spent the day lifting large cruisers out of the water onto trailors to be stored for the winter, giving the Worlds extra dock space. Then finally it was the turn of the Access Dinghy container to be lifted from the truck to its position in our area. The weather is perfect, the breeze magnificent and the Mediterranean, smooth.

-7 days to go (Saturday, 24 Sept)

While the Organising Committee are busy with final preparations for the regatta, sailors from all over the world are also making final preparations for their journey to San Felice Circeo. Today Italian sailor, Marco Rossato took advantage of beautiful weather and fair winds to practice on nearby lake, Lago di Paola.