Tornado Worlds preview

Who to watch at the Tornado Worlds in La Rochelle

Team GBR sailors gather for Tornado World Championship

The 2005 Tornado World Championship is due to get underway on Sunday 12 June, taking place in La Rochelle, France.

The competition is expected to be tough with all of the top ISAF World ranking sailors in attendance. Twenty nations are due to be represented with thirteen Great Britain crews in attendance, by far the largest number with the French team, sailing on home waters providing less than ten.

Team GBR names to watch include Leigh McMillan and crew Will Howden, who are ranked number six in the world after two good results in recent competition. The pairing finished third at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma and fourth at the Spa Regatta in Holland.

After claming second position at the Holland International Regatta, Rob Wilson and Mark Bulkeley will also be looking to continue their good form in France. Up and coming sailors, Andrew Walsh and Ed Barney hope to ruffle a few feathers following their excellent tenth at the Spa Regatta. The pair are members of the RYA Olympic Development Programme.

After three top ten finishes at Spa, Hyeres and Palma, Hugh Styles and crew Graham Vials will be keeping the pressure on.

Internationally, the Australian Darren Bundock looks set to be getting back to winning ways after finishing second at Spa. He will be competing with new crew Aaron Worrall and looking to reclaim the Tornado Championship with which he is so accustomed to winning. Athens and Sydney Olympic Gold Medallists, Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher will also be providing tough competition.

Racing for the World Championships commences Monday 13 June through to Saturday 18 June. Two races will be sailed each day with the rest day scheduled for Thursday 14 June.

Results can be found on the official website
http://www.srr-sailing.com/divers/mondialtornado2005.htm