2013/14 Australian Championships - Gosford - NSW

2013/14 VS Australian Championships Heats 3 & 4 Race Report 
Ever seen the movie “Groundhog Day”?
For some, today was just that. But there were some changes for others.  Interested….

 Heat 3 
Once again eight boats lined up for the start. The GSC Youth boys are due to join us but alas not today.  Dave, Liam & Jonty has reconstructed yet another mast for Ragamuffin & were at the pin end of the line with speed. 
Unfortunately within 100m their race would end – yep, with another broken  mast. I can’t work it out.  They are planning to return with a telegraph pole on Thursday so hopefully that will give them a chance of keeping
the rig up. The rest of the fleet sped up the first work, enjoying the flat water & nice breeze.  Firestorm was first
around the top mark, closely followed by TBS & SFC Computers. These three continued a close battle for the rest of the race but eventually crossed the line in the same order. Just  a little further back Zephyr, Under Pressure 2 & Stowe Australia were having a similarly close battle with barely boat lengths between them at the
  gybe to the downwind finish.  Brian, Tim & Daniel on UP2 had the inside line & were looking good until the spinnaker fell down, closely followed by the tip of the mast.  Yep. Another broken stick. 
What is happening?  (in this case a broken back stay).
 That left Zephyr & Stowe both striving to make the line with Gordon, Simon & Ryan taking 4th by 1 second from Chook, Hayden & Tarrick.  Great racing boys.  Stowe was also quick enough to claim an easy handicap victory, with SFC getting 2nd but just two seconds from Zephyr. 

Heat 4
 With  Ragamuffin & Under Pressure 2 heading to shore to rebuild masts (again) six  boats lined up for a start in another nice breeze.  And again it was a fairly even start with Firestorm & SFC leading the fleet to the left.  Col, Adam & Troy were about the only boat in with bad air & tacked right. What a master stroke!  With great pressure on that side of the course TBS flew up the work to hold a nice lead for the first lap from Firestorm & SFC.  Firestorm hit the lead up the long work but TBS did not give up.  Rounding the gate buoys for the last time for the work to the finish TBS chose the  western side mark whilst Firestorm went east.  Initially TBS was looking the goods but the breeze clocked back to the east & Firestorm got the win from TBS.  SFC was just a little further back in 3rd. Once again Stowe was enjoying the conditions & finished 4th across  the line, yet again enough for victory on handicap, this time with Zephyr 2nd& SFC 3rd.