Day 2 Race Report 2017/18 VS Australian Championships

I could only describe today as a day of extreme highs & lows.  First off the fleet was rocked when Ryan took a turn and hit the floor, ending with a ride in an ambulance to Taree. I know I speak for all of the VS ‘family’ in wishing him a speedy recovery.  Hope you’re back to normal and sailing soon mate!
 
With everyone thinking of Ryan the fleet considered cancelling sailing for the day but realised worrying on the bank would achieve nothing.  Tracey borrowed some sailing gear off just about everyone to fill in up front on Firestorm & test the strength of her marriage to Dale.
 
Another light breeze saw the fleet hotly contest the start of race 3.  In fact some were too eager.  A second sound signal & IR flag saw firstly TBS then Meeks head back to dip the line.  Michael, Brad & Ben got away well on Planet Beer, as did SFC, Firestorm & Black Diamond.  With the course set on the weedy side of the headland most boats went right.  Firestorm were looking to minimise tacks so hung on to the left, picked up a big lift when they came back & grabbed a nice lead they would hold to the finish. 
 
Black Diamond, SFC & Planet Beer continued to have a close battle throughout the race, becoming more exciting when TBS & Meeks made their charges back through the fleet.  In the end Mick, Mark & Robbie on Meeks made a successful comeback to finish 2nd, TBS also got through for 3rd, just in front of Black Diamond, SFC & Planet Beer.  But with a good start and good sailing Planet Beer had done enough to win on handicap, from Black Diamond & Narwahl 3rd.  Further down it was close on handicap, with many places separated by seconds!
 
Race 4 was sailed in a similar breeze but the racing was different.  Jeremy, Tom & Hugh on SFC Computers again made a good start & were with Firestorm around the windward mark for the first time.  SFC set the kite and went west, whereas Firestorm gybed & hugged the eastern shore.  They got no wind, they got weed & they got smashed. 
 
In contrast the SFC boys sailed exceptionally all race.  From where I could see way behind, they didn’t choose a side of the course – they just stayed in the breeze and picked the lifts & knocks perfectly.  A great display resulting in an easy win.  Similarly Chook, Hayden & Adam did their own thing on Black Diamond and also had a great result, finishing 2nd across the line.  TBS finished a good 3rd, but also suffered from the weed.  Firestorm snuck home 4th after Meeks also fell foul to the weed down the final run.
 
SFC almost pulled off the double on handicap but could only manage 2nd, pipped by Brian, Kallun & Max on Narwahl.  They also sailed a good race, also using the western side of the course without fear.  Joe, Mitch & Kye on Raptor have had a quiet regatta so far (results wise only) but are tuning a new mainsail and are improving, enough in this race to get 3rd on corrected time.
So after a terrible start to the day we all parted for a lay day on a high after that last race.  And, despite some yelling & cursing, Dale & Tracey are still married.
 
Check the results pages for race times & scores.
 
Cheers
John