Sailing: Cancer survivor helps Aussies lead

THUMBS UP: Aussies Andrew Reed (left) and skipper Matthew Owen have taken the lead in the Flying Fifteen world championship being raced off Napier. PHOTO/ANDREW KEARNEY

Aussie Flying Fifteen skipper Matthew Owen was told by his doctor he would be in a box a year ago after being diagnosed with liver cancer in 2015.

"People talk about pressure as they approach the starting line in these regattas. I can tell you it's nothing compared with the pressure I've had in my life in recent times," the Canberra Sailing Club general manager explained after he and crewman Andrew Reed established a seven point lead after race four of seven in the Lexus of Hawke's Bay-sponsored 21st world championship off Napier yesterday.

"It's good to do these regattas because I can shut it out. I've had a great medical team behind me and everyone has been very understanding. I make people laugh when they learn I'm a sailing club general manager and I spend my holidays at regattas. I know the amount of hard work which goes into these events and the Napier Sailing Club members are doing a tremendous job," Owen said.

Owen, 48, and his clubmate, 45-year-old public servant Wood, who are racing Deffcon 1, won the national championships which ended on Friday. Last night was too early to quiz him on the chances of a double.

"Our goal coming into the worlds was a top 10. We've got a good chance of finishing in the top five at the end of this week and we would be happy with that," Owen said.

The pair, who started racing together 10 years ago in Flying Fifteens after leaving the Trailer Sailer ranks, finished ninth in the 57-boat fleet yesterday. On Monday they were sixth and on Sunday they recorded second and fourth placings.

"We thought we had an ordinary day today in the tricky light breeze after being 20th around the top mark and working our way to ninth. But we will take the lead," Owen said.

"The calibre of people around us is pretty high. There are some fast young Kiwis and then there is the master of this class," he said referring to England's Steve Goacher, who with crewman Tim Harper posted their second consecutive win in their unnamed boat yesterday.

"Steve is the danger man. He is a talented sailor and a lovely guy. I won an Aussie championship with him four years ago in Perth."

Owen and Reed are competing in their third world championship. They finished 14th in their first in England and fifth in Hong Kong four years ago.

Should they complete the double on Friday, expect the Napier Sailing Club members to label Owen an "honorary" Hawke's Bay man. His wife Karen (nee Miller) was born in Napier 50 years ago and later this week the family will celebrate her 50th birthday in Napier.

Second-equal with Goacher and Harper after yesterday's race were another Great Britain pair of skipper David McKee and crewman Mal Hartland who are racing Fiery Chariot. After five races crews can discard their worst race so fans could see some dramatic changes on the leaderboard tonight.

The host club pair of skipper Hayden Percy and Scott Pedersen, who are racing Fflorin, are the best of the Kiwis. They will start today in fifth place, 12 points behind Owen and Reed.

After two general recalls, yesterday's race started on the third attempt. Similar light breezes are expected today.