What attracted you to the 470?
Stu McNay/Graham Biehl: Our body types are well-suited for the 470, so the choice was a natural one. Still is, and probably always will be. We're also attracted to the technicality of the boat. There is so much you can do with it.
How do you feel your Olympic experience in Qingdao has affected your approach to events like the Sail Melbourne regatta?
McNay/Biehl: Of all the events I have been to, the Olympics put the most pressure on us. Now, each regatta feels a lot less stressful . The 2008 Games taught us how to prepare for a specific competition and, most importantly, to make sure our minds were ready to race.
At Sail Melbourne, what was it like to refit a chartered boat in such a short amount of time?
McNay/Biehl: It turned out to be a pretty good boat. It was build in 2000 and raced by Tom King and Mark Turnbull in the Sydney Games. We were told it was going to have less parts than it ended up having, so we were pleasantly surprised by its readiness. We changed out some blocks and rope to make sure nothing was going to fail on us.
Did this affect your approach to the event?
McNay/Biehl: Since we knew we'd be sailing an old boat in an unknown state of readiness, we came in with uncertain expectations. Some systems were different, like jib leads and trapeze placement, and this ended up costing us a race win because our tacks were not as good as they usually are. But because we were prepared to be less than optimized, we were forced to focus more on the race course, and that was a good thing!
How do you deal with the stress of racing?
Graham Biehl: I'm a very low-key, level person and don't get very stressed out or amped up. I think my style complements Stu who brings intensity to the team. Big picture, I think we complement each other really well and work well together.
What would you miss most on the boat if you forgot it?
Graham Biehl: My spinnaker pole. It's the crew's weapon!
What do you think of the new ISAF World Cup format?
McNay/Biehl: The World Cup Format is great. It's a great way to market Olympic sailing and gives a true overall world ranking. It would be perfect if they could include the European and World Championships in the format We intend to do every World Cup and hope for a strong finish.
Do you have any rigging tricks to share with us?
McNay/Biehl: The 470 is so open we can rig specifically to our preferences. For example, all the control lines are led aft in order of importance and availability to exactly where Stu wants them. Most important are closest to him, etc. We use a 1:1 halyard on the chute for simplicity and less wind resistance.
Any specific uses of Harken or McLube™?
McNay/Biehl: Our Harken 32:1 jib tensioning block system runs incredibly smooth.
This 4:1 system attaches directly to the halyard via a hook just below the gooseneck. It connects to a single cascade joined to another 4:1 system that splits on both sides of the centerboard. There are bungee take-ups to keep things clean. We also use Harken’s 16 mm thru-deck halyard
sheaves on the mast instead of the heavier sheaves that come standard.
Before a race, we go over all our lines and blocks to make sure everything is free running and that nothing is worn or broken. If McLube™ won't help it, then it gets replaced.
Is there a mentor or role model that has impacted your sailing?
Graham Biehl: My Uncle, Mark Reynolds. What a natural person to look up to while I was growing up. He is always available for advice and wisdom when I need it.
Stu McNay:
Our coach, Nigel Cochrane has also been a huge inspiration and has brought our boat handling, speed and fitness to the level we're at now.
What advice would you give to a sailor new to the sport?
McNay/Biehl: Don't ever give up, always keep learning. Good advice for all of us... and not just in sailing.
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