One Point Separates Leaders With Two Races To Go At The Australian National Championship
Heath Townsend Kaito knew it was not going to be his best regatta when his 110kg crew member and Australian M24 Association secretary Darren Spence advised this morning that his wife had gone into labour four weeks early and they were off to hospital. Kaito managed to replace him at short notice with 63kg Tracey Walters.
A 12-14 knot S,SE breeze provided an exciting clear start in the first race. Geoff Masters Jolt sailed well out to the right and raced to a third place. Cameron Miles Roger That and Heath Walters Matilda had some exhilarating rides, less than a boat length apart in 13 knots downwind making correct tactical decisions all the more important.
Miles finished the day overall with a first in race six, first in race seven and second in race eight one point ahead of Walters with a second, second, first respectively.
Kaito’s racing finished today on the run to the finish in the first race when they broke the backstay and returned to the dock for repairs.
After a general recall in race seven Matilda was infringed by another boat and had to gybe around in order to stay clear.
Malcolm Wood FoxMayWonder lost a crewman over at the top mark with the team scrambling to get him aboard.
David Farrimond Vitesse achieved their best result of the series in race seven. The stonger conditions favoured team Vitesse coming fifth over the line.
In race eight Matilda won the start. Roger That infringed shortly after the start and did a 360 degree penalty. Warren Sare Arriba Arriba moved into second place in the three lap race, a late spinnaker drop let Roger That back into second at the finish.
Local sailors Nick Moriarty Business Time jostled last year’s Nationals champion Geoff Maters Jolt, Jolt came away today with their best results.
The regatta is down to the wire, two races to go and only one point between first and second place and four boats within reach of the third place position.
Big Congratulations to Darren and Karen Spence and the newest Kaito crewmember OLIVER born today.
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Tracey Walters
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