Darren Bundock: Chasing ‘Lucky’ 13th World Championship

Press Release by 2BSailing –
In a sport where bananas, anything green or starting a voyage on a Friday and even whistling are considered “unlucky” on boats, dual Olympic medallist Darren Bundock said he doesn’t have a superstitious bone in his body ahead of his campaign for a 13th world sailing crown.

The two-time Olympic silver medallist in the Tornado class said he knows plenty of rivals who would be nervous even to mention the “unlucky” number 13. But for him it’s not a problem.
“I know people who won’t try to win, let alone even finish, an invitation race before a regatta because they consider it unlucky and would freak out completely if there was anything green on their boat,” said Bundock, who has won a record seven world titles in the Tornado class, three in the F18 and two ISAF world sailing crowns in his stellar career.
“But not me. My favourite food on a boat used to be banana sandwiches and I always have green somewhere on the boat. And I always like to win the invitation race.
“For me, winning a 13th world title on the C2 at the F18 world championships next week would be an honour and would show that I’ve also had some luck on my side.”
Bundock, racing with 20-year-old crew Cas Van Oort, completed his lead-up to the F18 world championships in France with victory in the Wassenaar F18 class event on the Dutch coast on the weekend where the C2 Formula 18 secured first, third and fourth place overall.

“That was a tough one but a great preparation for the worlds,” said Bundock who with Van Oort won two of the six races in The Netherlands but will race with former world Tornado silver medallist Will Howden from the UK at the upcoming world championships in France.
“But one of the best things to come out of the regatta is the knowledge that the C2 performs really well in the light. I knew it was good in heavier air but the way it went in the lighter stuff in this regatta has given me a lot of confidence ahead of the world titles.”

Former Tornado catamaran rival Robbie Daniels from the US, sailing with Dutchwoman Marja Van Helden, also secured two wins on the C2 in the regatta for his third placing behind Bundock and Dutch sailor Mischa Heemskerk. The father and son crew of Greg and Brett Goodall finished fourth.

The F18 world championships will be raced in Erquy, France _ the venue the inaugural titles were held at a decade ago _ from July 3-10.
Returning to the water for the event will be multiple Olympian Carolijn Brouwer, who missed the lead-up regatta due to an arm injury, and well known Greek Olympians, Iordanis Paschalides and Kostas Trigonis.
“I had forgotten how frustrating it is to watch and not sail,” said Brouwer who with Wouter Samama will make-up a mixed crew to race the upcoming world championships. “It’s just made me want to do well at the worlds even more.”

AHPC/2B Sailing C2 Formula 18 crews to compete at the 10th Formula 18 world championships:
– Darren Bundock (AUS) and Will Howden (UK)
– Carolijn Brouwer (BEL) and Wouter Samama (NED)
– Iordanis Paschalides (GRE) and Kostas Trigonis (GRE)
– Steven Brewin (AUS) and Jack Benson (AUS)
– Robbie Daniels (USA) and John Williams (USA)
– Greg Goodal (AUS) and Brett Goodal (AUS)
For further information about the C2 Formula 18 please go to our website www.2Bsailing.eu