Subaru sponsored sailors Darren Bundock and John Forbes have begun their campaign for another world championship title, in the Formula 18 series, off the south west coast of Belgium.

After the first day of qualification, the pair is in a strong position, with one first and two second places.
The Formula 18 World Championships feature 110 boats competing in six races over two days of qualification.

The fleet has been divided into four groups.

Day one saw unusually beautiful weather with the sun shining and a light sea breeze. The first race started in a building eight knots and the breeze peaked at about 12 knots throughout the day.

Results of day one qualification:

FRA Cirrus Boulogne Brothers 1,1,1
AUS Hobie Tiger Bundock/Ashby 1,2,2
RSA Diam Ross/TBC 3,1,2
NED Hobie Tiger Booth/Derkson 2,3,5
SUI Hobie Tiger Colby/Camenisch 3,4,5
NED Hobie Tiger Kembek/Dude 2,4,6

Last month Bundock and Forbes finished first in the Tornado-class European Championships in Italy.

However, as non-Europeans, the Subaru-sponsored pair were not awarded the title, which went to overall second-placed Andreas Hagare and Michael Seigl of Austria.

Instead, the Australians received the Matts Nyberg Trophy for the third time, previously winning in 1999 and 2001.

Bundock and Forbes record includes:

2002 World Champions
2002 #1 World Ranking
2002 AYF Sailors of the Year
2001 World Champions
2001 European Champions
2000 Olympic Silver Medallists
1999 European Champions
1998 World Champions

(Forbes with previous partner 1992 Bronze Medallist, 1992 and 1989 World Champion).