The build-up to today's racing was huge. Our first planned Scratch Saturday attracted the cream of DF95 skippers in WA currently. There is a cold front moving to WA which influenced today's weather.
We had north easterly breezes that varied in strength from perfect early to dying later in the day. In fact at 10am we had great breezes that would have encouraged skippers to consider B rigs, it looked exciting. But as usual at 12.30am it softened to between 3 to 8 knots, so nearly all skippers changed to their bigger A rig. The great result was the boats were very even and it was the skills of the skippers finding clear fast winds.
We had 17 skippers travel to Austin Lake and among them was new DF95 Skipper Sue Jordan, we hope you felt welcomed and enjoyed the day. In big fleet racing learning to start on time and in the clear is a huge challenge. It is said that 80% of winning is getting the start right then the 20% left is staying clear and in front. Today there were 9 skippers that excelled off the line and to the first mark. Each of them had races where they led but the differences between these boats was so little that any error (contact or buoy issues) which results in a 360° penalty usually cost you many positions and momentum.
Special mention to Nick Jerwood and Sean Wallis. They were clear leaders on the water breaking away to podium finishes in nearly every race. Because they round ahead they unfortunately needed to thread back through 15 other boats too often playing dodge with your victory. That said, it was mentioned after that the standard of racing has improved at ALRS and boat-on-boat contact is greatly reduced. Not eliminated but reduced.
Well done to all that came out and enjoyed the afternoon.
Our clear winner was Nick Jerwood with Sean Wallis in second just meters behind then a consistent Jason Poutsma in third place.
Report by ALRS Commodore Andrew Donkin
Event Results - Top 5
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