Australian Nationals Day One and Two
28 December 2013
It has been a challenging first two days of the Australian National Championships. We sit here rugged up out of the 37 knot winds glad that PRO Mike used his good judgement and called off racing early.
Day one was a contrast tpo todays gale. Sailors were presented with perfect 12 knot breezes from the south east and everyone was eager to get out on the water. We ahd heard rumors of a bit of weed but didn't realise the extent of it until we hit the race course and came to a standstill at time upon hitting weed islands. Avoiding the weed became just as important as getting the right shifts.
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Race one had the standard general recall to get the regatta under way. A black flag to show Mike was serious, and we started to behave for the second try. It worked and we got away all clear. Greg and Allan rounded the top mark first followed by Thommo and Havas. Ben and Jeff were in third. Greg held on for a lap before sailing to the wrong gybe mark taking Ben with him. Thommo happily took the lead, Greg held on to second and John Heywood and Brett Littledike rounded out the top three. positioned stayed the same for the final lap.
No time was wasted in getting the second race under way. Thommo and Havas, confident after the first race again rounded the first mark in front. Greg was in second and Phil Peverell sailing with Clouds in third. The fleet was tightly bunched again for the run and the top five rounded the bottom mark separated by less than 10 boat lengths.
The left side of the course was favouring most of the day making it a bit of a one way race track. The weed was more of an issue with plenty of rudder checks required. The reaches we complicated with breeze and dodging weed making it hard to find a clean fast course.
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The final loop was again close. Coming in to the finish John andf Brett crosed in front of Thommo and Havas but let them again slip through for the win. They held on to second with Greg and Allan in third.
Stay tuned for results for tomorrow. Three races are scheduled starting at 1pm.
Look under the gallery tab for photos from day one.
Results
