505 Worlds at Mondello, Palermo, Sicily

by Simon Reffold 24 Oct 2008 12:31 BST 9-16 October 2008

Action from the 505 worlds in Mondello, Sicily © Vincenzo Baglione / 505 Worlds 2008

After the hooter on the start boat (which coincidentally sounds exactly like the sick horn of a 1966 Fiat 500) sounded thrice, signalling the cancellation of race seven of the 505 Worlds, the British team of Ian Pinnell and Carl Gibbon, (Hayling Island Sailing Club), threw their hands up in glee - then Gibbon promptly chucked Pinnell in the Mediterranean to celebrate their World Championship victory.

This has been a tough series for all involved - with winds in Mondello, Sicily, rarely reaching above six knots and many races were run with crews folded and contorted to leeward. Today's highlight (apart from Pinnell's victory) during the extensive on-water delay, was a game of boat Cricket using a tennis ball and paddle and involving most of the 14 strong Australian contingent and the popular bikini clad German girl's crew.

It would be true to say that things here in Sicily don't exactly run at a blistering pace. There are few clocks visible, people don't wear watches and things tend to be measured in geological time rather than the more common hours, minutes and seconds. That all being said, its pretty easy to forget the troubles of the world here in Mondello where the azure Mediterranean challenges even the most literate to conjur accurate superlatives and the sun worshipping locals' easy, relaxed nature is infectious. Except when you want something done... but otherwise the locals complete lack of stress is only matched by the tranquil ocean's windless beauty.

Laid back would also best describe Ian 'Nellie' Pinnell's demeanour. Nellie has won numerous world titles in other classes, but counts this 505 Worlds as his greatest triumph. And for Nellie, it was never really in doubt. His results have been consistent - currently his worst race is a ninth with all the other results in the top four. Truly remarkable and completely unique in this series.

From the outset, with a win in the first race, a second in the second then a second and fourth the next day he sprinted to an early and substantial lead where others weren't nearly as consistent. He never really looked in doubt, but when questioned after racing he took it all within his stride, with a typically casual approach, and simply said he'd... 'had a good day and got a bit lucky'. Day after day after day.

When we talked to Ian after the non-race final day, he was enjoying a foaming Sicilian Birra, he had this to say about the regatta; 'Well, obviously I am really happy. I guess the biggest thing for us was we were able to be in the right place most of the time and got solid results, where the other boats were a bit up and down. It was our time I guess.

'My crew Carl has been tremendous - the feedback I get from him is invaluable and I don't think any one got past us downwind, he really keeps the boat fast no matter what the conditions.'

Mixed results is right - all of the top boats are carrying some really big numbers, with the series only going to a maximum of seven races there is only one drop which has put the noses out of many boats that were scored DNF on the second day. More than 80 boats didn't finish within the time limit (did we say it was light here?) of race three. But still as they say, the cream rises and there is no doubt that the top 10 have earned their results.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm & Crew	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	Pts
1	GBR 8960	PINNELL, GIBBON, Male	1	2	4	2	4	-9	13
2	USA 8762	HAMLIN, ZINN, Male	-56	1	6	11	5	7	30
3	GER 8957	HUNGER, KLEINER, Male	4	3	-18	6	15	12	40
4	DEN 8962	BOJSEN - MOLLER, BOJSEN - MOLLER, Male	5	15	3	-54	3	19	45
5	DEN 8964	SAUGMANN, RAMSBAEK, Male	10	6	15	20	2	-27	53
6	USA 8714	MARTIN, NELSON, Male	6	18	-35	13	6	11	54
7	GER 8721	CHRISTOPHERSEN, SALEIN, Male / under 25	7	9	12	-41	26	5	59
8	AUS 8817	DAVIS, DUFFIELD, Male	12	4	27	8	-28	13	64
9	GER 8693	DAISENBERGER, LAUTENSCHLAGER, Male / under 25	21	11	19	-48	16	2	69
10	GER 8651	KELLNER, SCHOLER, Male	15	-35	20	7	23	4	69
11	AUS 8920	QUIRK, REFFOLD, Male	45	(dnf)	5	3	9	10	72
12	DEN 8826	BOJLAND, FRIIS, Male	9	29	1	18	-61	21	78
13	GER 8728	SCHOMAKER, GORGE, Mixed	2	27	14	10	34	-55	87
14	GER 8927	GORGE, RIX, Male	29	7	31	21	1	-48	89
15	USA 8883	MOORE, FALSONE, Male	8	14	42	4	22	-60	90
16	SUI 8954	STAUFFER, JACOT, Male	24	25	8	29	7	-46	93
17	GER 8875	FINDEL, TELLEN, Male	31	5	-47	40	18	1	95
18	AUS 8840	CAMERON, BOWDEN, Male	30	(dnf)	7	16	20	22	95
19	SUI 8543	BART, MARTI, Male	13	21	2	24	38	(dsq)	98
20	GER 8947	NIEDIEK, HEISING, Male	22	16	9	-44	25	26	98
21	USA 8715	BIXBY, BOOTHE, Male	17	23	30	1	31	-44	102
22	USA 8830	KEY, BUTTNER, Male	-52	26	32	12	19	15	104
23	GER 8751	BIRKNER, STENGER, Female	11	10	24	39	(dsq)	24	108
24	GER 8975	SCHEDER - BIESCHIN, JESS, Male	3	20	34	42	13	-47	112
25	USA 8919	GOSCH, McKEIGE, Male	34	19	25	9	29	-40	116
26	FIN 8466	HYYSALO, SALONEN, Male	-65	12	11	26	27	43	119
27	ITA 8916	CIFERRI, NATALI, Male	38	13	40	15	21	-53	127
28	GBR 8835	WALTERS, CRAM, Male	19	34	-39	31	30	14	128
29	GER 8958	KOCHLIN, ACHTERBERG, Male	14	(dsq)	21	36	50	8	129
30	GER 8807	LEHMANN, OEHME, Male	23	-41	17	35	35	23	133
31	FIN 8923	LINDGREN, WOLONTIS, Male	-40	36	13	19	32	34	134
32	GBR 8526	BIRD, NURSE, Male	50	(dnf)	28	37	17	6	138
33	USA 8937	TAUGHER, BELL, Male	54	(dnf)	37	5	45	3	144
34	GER 8720	TASCHE, TASCHE, Male / under 25 / under 21	37	17	16	-74	11	68	149
35	GER 8672	CONTAG, VON WALTER, Male	33	8	62	17	-79	32	152
36	AUS 8801	CHAPPELL, GILL, Male	35	(dnf)	22	34	10	59	160
37	IRL 8961	BARRY, DWYER, Male	18	24	-52	32	40	51	165
38	FRA 8900	GUBRI, DI PEDE, Male	25	30	-46	46	37	31	169
39	USA 8822	HOLT, EDWARDS, Male	55	(dnf)	45	33	46	18	197
40	GER 8669	BOGER, SCHONER, Male	47	(dnf)	10	25	52	65	199
41	USA 7875	MILLER, SMITH, Male	67	22	-89	27	41	42	199
42	GER 8599	DUWE, HELMS, Male	16	(dnf)	44	47	53	41	201
43	GER 8580	WEIGELT, HENNING, Male	-72	33	49	59	39	25	205
44	FRA 8844	BROISE, DES JAMONIERES, Male	26	(dnf)	33	65	36	45	205
45	GBR 8935	SHORT, SHORT, Male	20	37	36	49	-70	64	206
46	AUS 8922	CUNEO, WARLOW, Male	43	38	56	43	-83	29	209
47	DEN 8828	ANDERSEN, ANDREASEN, Male	57	(dnf)	41	78	8	28	212
48	GER 8965	PLATTNER, ALARIE, Male	58	(dns)	23	30	63	39	213
49	AUS 8921	LOTT, FRANKS, Male	53	39	57	28	-67	37	214
50	GBR 8881	SCUTCHER, DIEBITSCH, Male	32	(dnf)	38	14	12	raf	220
51	SUI 8613	PETERMANN, GROB, Male	61	(dnf)	43	63	14	50	231
52	GBR 8701	NAPIER, PEARSON, Male	28	(dnf)	65	64	33	54	244
53	AUS 8853	JACKSON, HOLDEN, Male	59	(dnf)	74	22	71	20	246
54	GER 8665	SCHLOMKA, WIHLFAHRT, Male	60	(dnf)	26	55	42	63	246
55	GBR 8905	TURNBULL, LUNN, Male	64	42	59	23	66	-78	254
56	AUS 8968	HANSEN - KNARHOI, ATTWELL, Male	70	31	50	38	-72	70	259
57	FRA 8270	GACHET, VALERY, Male	44	(dnf)	53	50	78	36	261
58	FRA 8950	DE KERGARIOU, CAMUSSON, Male	71	(dnf)	55	56	58	30	270
59	IRL 8514	SCANNELL, O' SULLIVAN, Male	42	(dnf)	29	45	65	96	277
60	GER 8775	HOLZAPFEL, ENGEL, Male	68	28	76	77	-100	33	282
61	FRA 7771	LOYAL, DETAPPE, Male	27	(dns)	66	53	62	76	284
62	FRA 8748	AGRAPART, AGRAPART, Mixed	49	(dnf)	69	69	43	62	292
63	GER 8825	TROCH, KONIG, Male	89	(dnf)	51	51	44	61	296
64	GBR 8708	GOULT, RUSSELL, Male	79	(dnf)	48	67	56	56	306
65	USA 8831	JEANGIRARD, VON GREY, Male	62	(dnf)	63	75	51	58	309
66	FIN 8768	NIEMINEN, LEHTONEN, Male	93	(dnf)	75	61	24	69	322
67	GER 8929	WALDHEIM, BUSSENIUS, Male	48	(dnf)	85	87	69	35	324
68	FIN 8924	RAITA, NURMELA, Male	-95	40	84	72	57	77	330
69	ITA 8097	BOSIO, SUPERINA, Male	36	(dnf)	54	79	73	91	333
70	FRA 8949	FAUCHEUX, DUQUESNE, Male	69	(dnf)	77	58	48	85	337
71	FRA 8321	NEVO, BOUTON, Male	99	(dnf)	72	66	87	16	340
72	GER 8956	FORSTER, NEUSS, Male	75	(dns)	61	71	64	74	345
73	FRA 8895	DEVAUX, DUBUC, Male	39	(dnf)	88	52	81	87	347
74	FIN 8057	LINDFORS, HALONEN, Male	74	(dnf)	86	76	82	38	356
75	POL 8358	JOZEFOWSKI, BARANKIEWICZ, Male	51	(dnf)	64	57	97	92	361
76	AUS 8781	ALEXANDER, GREGG, Male	97	(dnf)	87	60	60	67	371
77	AUS 8588	SMITH, SMITH, Mixed	66	(dnf)	81	80	92	57	376
78	AUS 8855	STOWELL, BAILEY, Male	84	(dnf)	60	73	99	75	391
79	GER 8513	KONIG, BRACK, Male	63	(dnf)	73	93	74	90	393
80	ITA 8743	GIRALDI, CORBELLINI, Male	85	32	(dns)	101	80	102	400
81	FRA 8402	BLEUEZ, ROUCAYROL, Male	78	(dnf)	82	82	76	82	400
82	USA 8441	SCHLUTER, SCHLUTER, Male	46	(dnf)	80	86	109	80	401
83	AUS 8501	FINCH, SHINER, Male / under 25 / under 21	105	(dnf)	71	81	75	71	403
84	GBR 8955	ILIFFE, LAKE, Male	80	(dnf)	83	92	49	109	413
85	FIN 8053	EBELING, HEIMSCH, Male	73	(dnf)	101	70	54	dns	422
86	GER 6816	JUNGCLAUS, LAUDAGE, Male	82	(dns)	67	83	102	93	427
87	IRL 8679	BARRY, LANE, Male / under 25	83	(dnf)	97	90	59	99	428
88	USA 8904	GUY, TOTH, Male	91	(dnf)	108	108	107	17	431
89	POL 8130	GRABOWSKI, OLKO, Male	94	(dnf)	78	62	94	105	433
90	POL 8416	ZAGORSKI, JUCKIEWICZ, Male	77	(dnf)	98	89	104	66	434
91	IRL 8542	KENNEALLY, DUNLEA, Male	41	(dnf)	100	100	88	114	443
92	AUS 8185	RIDGWAY, ROSS, Male	98	(dnf)	dns	85	55	81	443
93	FRA 8847	BOIRY, GOUGEON, Male	86	(dnf)	92	94	98	73	443
94	AUS 8893	ROBINSON, PENFOLD, Male	87	(dnf)	68	91	95	104	445
95	GER 8772	TANNER, TANNER, Mixed	102	(dnf)	91	68	89	98	448
96	GER 8744	KANDZIA, DEUTSCHER, Male	96	(dnf)	70	111	93	89	459
97	ITA 8127	GAMBARDELLA, CANDELA, Male	81	(dnf)	111	99	86	83	460
98	GBR 8497	GEORGE, CARTWRIGHT, Male	108	(dnf)	58	110	96	97	469
99	GER 8598	VON MERTENS, VON HOYER, Mixed	109	(dns)	112	96	47	107	471
100	GER 8712	LABENZ, LABENZ, Male	106	(dnf)	105	88	90	86	475
101	AUS 8628	CROFT, RUSHTON, Male	114	(dns)	90	119	108	52	483
102	ITA 8882	GALLO, LOCE, Male	101	(dnf)	79	dsq	85	95	484
103	ITA 8944	MANZI, ANNESE, Male	120	(dnf)	95	118	68	84	485
104	GER 8862	HANSGEN, RUPPRICH, Male	113	(dnf)	102	103	91	79	488
105	AUS 8177	PAYNE, EDMONSTON – FEARN, Male	90	(dnf)	93	113	77	dnf	497
106	AUS 8498	WARNE, SCHOLES, Male	88	(dnf)	94	102	112	101	497
107	GER 8370	STUMPEL, STUMPEL, Mixed	103	(dnf)	116	114	120	49	502
108	GER 8433	ANTON, DENECKE, Male	92	(dnf)	107	98	105	111	513
109	GBR 8907	BERRY, BARNES, Male	115	(dns)	103	95	84	118	515
110	GER 8500	HENGE, FEDDE, Male	117	(dnf)	104	97	103	94	515
111	GER 8730	WILTS, HOLM, Male	76	(dnf)	106	107	119	108	516
112	USA 8577	VAN DEVENTER, LALLI, Male	107	(dnf)	99	104	110	100	520
113	AUS 8682	HYDE, EDNEY, Male	100	(dnf)	118	84	117	103	522
114	GER 8282	LEMPP, RAUNER, Male	104	(dnf)	109	106	101	115	535
115	GBR 8591	BELL, WARD, Male	119	(dnf)	96	105	111	106	537
116	USA 8245	DORE, PITTACK, Male	112	(dnf)	115	116	113	88	544
117	USA 8939	WYLES, RENDA, Male	(dns)	dnf	110	109	106	112	561
118	USA 8821	LONG, LONG, Mixed	(dns)	dnf	dns	dns	dns	72	568
119	GBR 8745	MCGALE, PEARSON, Male	118	(dns)	113	117	115	110	573
120	CAN 8910	JANIDLO, JANIDLO, Mixed	111	(dnf)	117	112	118	116	574
121	GER 7732	FELDMANN, HARTMANN, Female	110	(dnf)	114	120	114	117	575
122	GBR 8423	WRIGHT, YOUNG, Male	116	(dnf)	119	115	116	113	579
123	ITA 4970	INGOGLIA, INGOGLIA, Male	(dnf)	dns	dnf	dnf	dnf	119	615