Day 3 Race Report 2017/18 VS Australian Championships

Guess what?  Another day of close VS racing in a nice breeze in paradise. Tim has wanted the nationals at this venue for a long time.  And now the rest of us understand why.
 
Another 8-12 knot NE’er saw all crews keen at the start for race 5.  So much so that yet again there was an IR.  Meeks, Black Diamond & Stowe were all involved (I think).  Ask Chook about the story of Scott sitting on BD until they tacked! 
 
This hurt Black Diamond & Stowe a bit, but Meeks managed to get back into the fleet and catch up & mix it with Firestorm, TBS & SFC at the front of the fleet.  That was until Col, Adam & Janine decided to gybe-set on a run & cleared out to a lead they would not lose.  Firestorm, with yet another fore’hand (Steve Sims of Runaway fame), managed to hang on for 2nd from the young guns Jeremy, Tom & Hugh on SFC Computers in 3rd. 
 
Meeks did well to get back to 4th, but not much ahead of Michael, Brad & Ben on Planet Beer; 5th across the line and easy handicap winners.  Joe, Mitch & Kye also had a better race in Raptor to be 6th across the line and 2nd on handicap.  Maybe they would have been even better if they didn’t have maccas on board (as about this!).
 
Unfortunately race 6 only had 9 starters line up, after Narwahl broke a tiller & jib in the earlier race.  But yet again in a 10-15 knot NE’er the start was well contested.  Yet again SFC lead around the windward mark for the first time and blasted off into the distance in what looked to be a repeat of race 4.  But there was more to unfold.  Tim, Scott & Kirra on Stowe were having a great race and mixing it at the front of the fleet, about third around the leeward mark for the first time, closely followed by Planet Beer.
 
The big lifts/knocks/ holes continued throughout the race and positions swapped regularly until Mick, Robbie & Mark finally rounded the windward mark for the last time with a small lead from Firestorm, SFC & TBS.  Each held their positions to the finish, albeit there was some excitement for all crews down this last run.  Stowe hung on for 5th across the line to easily win on corrected time from Planet Beer.
 
Still four races to go so both titles are anybodies.  Firestorm, TBS, Meeks & SFC are all within a few points on scratch.  Stowe, Planet Beer & Black Diamond are in a similar position on handicap.  But tomorrow is the moving day…
 
Check the results pages for race times & scores.
 
Cheers
John