Warm, sunny 24°C conditions with a gentle Northerly breeze.
We set up a course using the IGA side shelter and in true Austin Lakes tradition the breeze swirled and bumped around the trees on the north end creating a very challenging race course. There were a few channels that were brisk but if you fell outside of this the boat stopped and you were passed by most of the fleet.
If I had to guess, I would suggest just 75% of the course had sufficient breeze to drive the boats forward. It was difficult.
There were 17 keen DF65 skippers who showed up to tackle the course and each other. The scratch racing format can intimidate newer skippers but for seasoned sailors it is the true test of racing. 70% of the race hinges on getting the start right. Hitting the line with speed and room to move will put you in the best position to round the windward mark first, from then on its cover, cover and stay clean and fast. The ALRS Fleet is improving every regatta with half the fleet pushing the leaders in nearly every race. I had to do a penalty turn for a port / starboard contact which I apologised for but during that turn 8 boats passed me on that one buoy. Sailing clean is just so important and we drum it into the skippers before each regatta, make your calls clear and early so others can change course to avoid. Even if you are in the right, contact with other boats will cost you time and position every time.
At the front of the course we often found our Australia Champion gliding away sailing fast and clean. Behind him was a pack of eight that rotated positions each race. Janet J, Graeme E, Mark L, Mitch B, Our Kiwi visitor Peter K, Andrew Patto and David R all had podium finishes at some stage suggesting any one of us could have been second or third today. Nobody was going to catch Nick, he was in overdrive and all of us were struggling in third gear.
After race 6 we changed the course down to the southern end because the wind had shifted more Westerly and this course had wind over 95% of the area.
Event Results - Top 5
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