Aaron McIntosh. Photo / Kenny Rodger
Aaron McIntosh is prepared for more "head out of the boat conditions" today after the difficult conditions threw up a few surprises in the opening day of racing in the tornado world championships off Takapuna.
McIntosh and his crewman Mark Kennedy are in 10th place and are on
track to qualify the nation for the Beijing Olympics following a solid opening day to the regatta.
Leading the championships in the early stages are Germans Roland Gaebler and Gunnar Struckman, who recorded two third placings in the opening races. John Lovell and Charlie Ogletree of the US are a further point back in second place, while Dutchmen Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis are in third position.
After opening the regatta with a 17th placing in race one, McIntosh was pleased to bounce back with an eighth in the second to ensure they are in a strong position.
"It was very tricky sailing - there's some good sailors that didn't have a good day out there so to be sitting in 10th overall is a great start," the former champion windsurfer said.
One crew McIntosh could be referring to are Australians Darren Bundock and Glen Ashby. The highly-fancied pair, who are number one in the ISAF rankings and the favourites to take the world title in Takapuna, are in 19th place after finishing 14th and 23rd in their opening two races respectively.
But McIntosh believes with shifty conditions expected over the next couple of days, there is potential for a lot of movement in the standings.
"It is enjoyable racing because it's never over until it's over. The fleet sort of spreads out and closes up very quickly relative to the wind shifts and the gusts that are happening on the course."
Likewise, with such a high quality fleet assembled in Auckland, McIntosh believes it will provide further room for movement.
"It's funny, you could be back in the 20s but you still see a lot of good guys around you - it just goes to show the nature of this class. There's a lot of depth in the class and a lot of great sailors in the top 30."
Two races are scheduled today.
