Israeli sailors impress on debut
SAILING OMER Brand believes big things lie ahead for Team Israel following their performance at the Brewin Dolphin Commodore’s Cup.
The crew impressed across 10 races over a gruelling seven days at Clowes. Captained by Brand, Team Israel improved steadily during the week and went into the final day in fifth position, only 21-and-a-half points behind the Flanders Team who were in second place.
The placings were dependent on the final inshore race which carried double points. After 10 of the 16 yachts had finished the remaining six vessels were becalmed. Dan Israel and Daniel Herzliya had both managed to finish in strong positions to bring Team Israel into second place overall, only for the race officer to abandon the regatta.
The established procedure was to continue the race until the expiry of the time limit some 30 minutes later. The crews of the boats that finished then protested to the Race Committee but their complaints were not upheld.
While Team Israel could have appealed the decision to an internal jury, they decided to let the matter rest and therefore finished in fifth position. Brand said: “I have no doubt that the Commodore’s Cup marks the beginning of Israel’s participation in international sailing regattas. “Seeing the Israeli flag proudly flying on the three yachts was a small piece of history.” The highlight for Team Israel was the visit to Cowes by Mark Regev, Israel’s Ambassador to the UK. He watched the racing and then attended a barbecue for 50 people with Israeli food hosted by Team Israel and attended by the crews and dignitaries from the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Royal Ocean Racing Club. “We were overwhelmed by t he r e c e pt i on we received from the 200 sailors who competed in the race,” said Brand. “All were impressed by the professionalism and sailing abilities of our crews.”