Late last week my head got stuck in the snow and stayed there. I can honestly say, with the exception to having a number of co-workers at Mad River Glen seriously into sailing, all thoughts have been on getting fresh tracks in the 5 feet of snow blanketing Stark Mountain in Vermont.
There is something special about fluffy snow. It does not matter how cold or tired one is, making a fresh line through the stuff is addicting! It's fun. It's an experience which embraces all thoughts and for a few moments, the rest of the world dissolves away. Worries saved for another day.
I'd been playing with a pair of "fat" skis which opened up areas of the mountain I would normally stay clear off. Marked trails became a thing of the past and exploring the woods tested me in new ways. One run in particular was way off track, extremely deep and way steeper than I've ever tackled in my life.
I'd normally be pretty scared, actually terrified but there was something unleashed and instead of tears there was a steady giggle with each wild jump, turn, swoosh and the all expected face plants in 5 feet of snow. Escaping each mildly reminded me of being stuck in the "sewer" unraveling a massively entangled kite from a not so clean douse. However, that never made me laugh like a school girl.
Coming out of a massive wipe-out after just nearly missing about 10 through a narrow tree lined chute evokes an inner excitement I've never had while sailing. I'm not sure I've ever laughed, giggled, snorted or hopped about like a little kid who has to use the bathroom after a good down-wind run with the kite. There have been many awesome days on the water sailing. There are days I've held my breathe in anticipation while riding the edge of a wipe-out, but pretty sure there was no giggling at the time.
So what's the difference, besides the obvious? One can not really compare skiing and sailing, though, almost every sailor I know either skis or rides. Is there something missing in their world of sailing that playing in the snow fills? This has been consuming my thoughts during the daily commute back and forth from the mountain. I've NOT been having this much fun in the last few years chasing after sailing opportunities.
I've also never pushed the snowy envelope as I have this season. Ah. Maybe that is it? Maybe I need to take sailing to new levels. Maybe a return to the Volvo Ocean Race in April will reinvigorate the passion for wind and water. Maybe just getting back on the water will help. The eXtreme 40s will be in town and those suckers exhilarate!
Maybe the ambition to nibble on sailing needs a fresh perspective because chasing after the news stories and technical scoop does nothing to excite lengthy prose about sailing. Even the Volvo Ocean Race has left me uninspired. Love the lifestyle, but these past few weeks, where a weather report of snow is enough to get one out of bed at an ungodly hour to drive through blizzard conditions to wait in a 40 minute line for a fresh powder fix has introduced an aspect of living not frequently felt in sailing.
It does exists and maybe deeper exploration into the worlds of windsurfing and kite boarding will help. To be in position when Mother Nature calls, going without reservations and to give her your all, till you can't stop laughing from all the endorphins flooding the brain! A little dose of that is good for the mind, body and soul.
Cheer!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
JJ Giltinan Championship: Race Five
18ft Skiffs
Giltinan Championship – Race 5
(Sponsored by Winning Appliances and SLAM)
(Today’s race sponsored by Smeg)
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Sydney Harbour
Appliancesonline.com.au became the fifth winner from as many races when she took out Race 5 of the Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today.
Skipper John Winning Jr., with crew Dave Ewings and Tim Austin, gave an outstanding performance in an 8-10 knot North East breeze to bring appliancesonline home a 37s winner and so keep alive their hopes of taking the title.
The British team of Andy Budgen, Matt Mc Govern and James Barker also gave an excellent display in the conditions and finished second in Project Racing.
Third place today went to Southern Cross Constructions, which finished a further 13s behind Project Racing.
For the Southern Cross crew of Euan Mc Nicol, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas it was enough to give them a narrow lead in the championship with two more races still to be sailed.
After discarding their worst performances to date, Southern Cross has a total of 10 points, followed by Active Air-2UE (Matthew Searle) on 12, Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) and Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris) both on 13 and today’s winner appliancesonline on 16.
Project Racing is sixth on 24 points.
With such a narrow margin separating the top five teams, there seems no doubt that the winner will not be known until late on Sunday afternoon.
From the start today, Project Racing and appliancesonline quickly established a lead over Active Air-2UE and Southern Cross Constructions.
Project Racing held a 10s margin at the Beashel Buoy windward mark then increased it marginally downwind to the Clarke Island mark.
There was little change amongst the leading group on the spinnaker run although Southern Cross moved ahead of Active Air-2UE.
After a poor start, Gotta Love It 7 recovered into fifth place just ahead of USA1, skippered by former Giltinan champion Howie Hamlin.
Project Racing and appliancesonline continued to stage their own personal battle for the lead on the following beat to the Beashel Buoy with appliancesonline grabbing a 2 boat length lead as spinnakers were set for the return run to Clarke Island.
The next three placings remained unchanged with Southern Cross holding third place ahead of Active Air-2UE and Gotta Love It 7.
While the racing was close there was no change in the placings over the remainder of the course before appliancesonline crossed the line a clear winner.
Rag & Famish Hotel was well back in the pack early but her crew battled away to bring the skiff home in sixth place as so keep them well in championship contention.
Thurlow Fisher (Bruce Savage) came home in seventh place ahead of Yandoo (John Winning), Fisher & Paykel (Andrew Cuddihy) and USA1.
Race 6 will be conducted on Saturday with the highly anticipated Race 7 set down for Sunday.
The Australian 18 Footers League will have two spectator ferries on each day to cater for the large spectator interest.
More images will be published on www.18footers.com.au and video can be seen on www.sailcam.tv.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
Giltinan Championship – Race 5
(Sponsored by Winning Appliances and SLAM)
(Today’s race sponsored by Smeg)
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Sydney Harbour
Appliancesonline.com.au became the fifth winner from as many races when she took out Race 5 of the Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today.
Skipper John Winning Jr., with crew Dave Ewings and Tim Austin, gave an outstanding performance in an 8-10 knot North East breeze to bring appliancesonline home a 37s winner and so keep alive their hopes of taking the title.
The British team of Andy Budgen, Matt Mc Govern and James Barker also gave an excellent display in the conditions and finished second in Project Racing.
Third place today went to Southern Cross Constructions, which finished a further 13s behind Project Racing.
For the Southern Cross crew of Euan Mc Nicol, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas it was enough to give them a narrow lead in the championship with two more races still to be sailed.
After discarding their worst performances to date, Southern Cross has a total of 10 points, followed by Active Air-2UE (Matthew Searle) on 12, Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin) and Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris) both on 13 and today’s winner appliancesonline on 16.
Project Racing is sixth on 24 points.
With such a narrow margin separating the top five teams, there seems no doubt that the winner will not be known until late on Sunday afternoon.
From the start today, Project Racing and appliancesonline quickly established a lead over Active Air-2UE and Southern Cross Constructions.
Project Racing held a 10s margin at the Beashel Buoy windward mark then increased it marginally downwind to the Clarke Island mark.
There was little change amongst the leading group on the spinnaker run although Southern Cross moved ahead of Active Air-2UE.
After a poor start, Gotta Love It 7 recovered into fifth place just ahead of USA1, skippered by former Giltinan champion Howie Hamlin.
Project Racing and appliancesonline continued to stage their own personal battle for the lead on the following beat to the Beashel Buoy with appliancesonline grabbing a 2 boat length lead as spinnakers were set for the return run to Clarke Island.
The next three placings remained unchanged with Southern Cross holding third place ahead of Active Air-2UE and Gotta Love It 7.
While the racing was close there was no change in the placings over the remainder of the course before appliancesonline crossed the line a clear winner.
Rag & Famish Hotel was well back in the pack early but her crew battled away to bring the skiff home in sixth place as so keep them well in championship contention.
Thurlow Fisher (Bruce Savage) came home in seventh place ahead of Yandoo (John Winning), Fisher & Paykel (Andrew Cuddihy) and USA1.
Race 6 will be conducted on Saturday with the highly anticipated Race 7 set down for Sunday.
The Australian 18 Footers League will have two spectator ferries on each day to cater for the large spectator interest.
More images will be published on www.18footers.com.au and video can be seen on www.sailcam.tv.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
JJ Giltinan Championship: Race Four
18ft Skiffs
Giltinan Championship – Race 4
Sponsored by Winning Appliances and SLAM
(Today’s race sponsored by Asko Appliances)
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Sydney Harbour
Euan Mc Nicol, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas had to produce all their skills and experience to bring Southern Cross Constructions home a narrow winner in Race 3 of the Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour today.
In one of the closest races seen on the harbour, Southern Cross Constructions had to withstand a brilliant finishing burst by appliancesonlin.com.au (John Winning Jr., Dave Ewings and Tim Austin) to win by just 4s in a thriller.
Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris, Peter Harris and Scott Babbage) also produced a strong finishing burst to grab third spot another 19s behind appliancesonline.
Although relegated to fourth place today, Active Air-2UE (Matthew Searle, Dan Wilsdon and Archie Massey) still leads the championship with a total of 12 points, closely followed by Southern Cross Constructions and Rag & Famish Hotel together on 13 and Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout) on 15.
Appliancesonline is fifth on 22 points with Smeg (Hugh Stodart, Daniel Phillips and Jim Beck) sixth on 36.
Today’s race was sailed in shifting southerly breeze which fully tested all teams as it constantly changed direction and strength throughout.
Pure Blonde (James Francis) won the race to the first windward mark where she held a 2 boat lengths lead over Thurlow Fisher (Bruce Savage), Gotta Love It 7, Southern Cross and Active Air-2UE.
The young Pure Blonde crew was outstanding on the long spinnaker run to Obelisk Bay as they stretched their lead to 30s from Active Air-2UE, Southern Cross and Gotta Love It 7, which was trailing 90s from the lead..
With the breeze tending a little west, all teams were forced to gybe several times.
The following windward leg back to Rose Bay saw a four way battle develop as Southern Cross and Active Air-2UE put pressure on Pure Blonde, while Gotta Love It 7 edged closer.
At the Rose Bay mark Southern Cross led by just 2s from Active Air-2UE, with Pure Blonde 10s back and Gotta Love It 7 a further 15s away.
Southern Cross retained the lead (20s) on the run to Athol Bay East mark as all crews had to drop and reset their spinnakers to clear Bradleys Head.
There was yet another lead change when Active Air-2UE took advantage of her windward position on the work to Clarke Island.
Active Air-2UE led Southern Cross by 15s with Pure Blonde still third and a 30s gap to Gotta Love It 7 in fourth place.
While their three opponents gybed to the northern shore on the second run to Obelisk, the Pure Blonde team continued on their starboard gybe and were rewarded when they picked up a southerly breeze off Rose Bay.
It gave Pure Blonde a 10s lead over Southern Cross, while Active Air-2UE was now 40s further back in third place ahead of appliancesonline, which made up good time in mid stream.
Gotta Love It 7 lost out badly on this run and was trailing in fifth place 1m30s from the lead.
The pressure was on as the fleet headed into Rose Bay as the five leaders were joined by Rag & Famish Hotel.
Southern Cross grabbed the lead back at Rose Bay but the race was far from over.
Southern Cross retained the lead downwind and held a 23s margin at the final windward mark.
The race to the finish was intense as the five leaders were spread across the course searching for every breath of breeze.
Race 5 will be sailed tomorrow with the final two races set down for Saturday and Sunday.
More photos published on www.18footers.com.au and video is on www.sailcam.tv.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
Giltinan Championship – Race 4
Sponsored by Winning Appliances and SLAM
(Today’s race sponsored by Asko Appliances)
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Sydney Harbour
Euan Mc Nicol, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas had to produce all their skills and experience to bring Southern Cross Constructions home a narrow winner in Race 3 of the Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour today.
In one of the closest races seen on the harbour, Southern Cross Constructions had to withstand a brilliant finishing burst by appliancesonlin.com.au (John Winning Jr., Dave Ewings and Tim Austin) to win by just 4s in a thriller.
Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris, Peter Harris and Scott Babbage) also produced a strong finishing burst to grab third spot another 19s behind appliancesonline.
Although relegated to fourth place today, Active Air-2UE (Matthew Searle, Dan Wilsdon and Archie Massey) still leads the championship with a total of 12 points, closely followed by Southern Cross Constructions and Rag & Famish Hotel together on 13 and Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout) on 15.
Appliancesonline is fifth on 22 points with Smeg (Hugh Stodart, Daniel Phillips and Jim Beck) sixth on 36.
Today’s race was sailed in shifting southerly breeze which fully tested all teams as it constantly changed direction and strength throughout.
Pure Blonde (James Francis) won the race to the first windward mark where she held a 2 boat lengths lead over Thurlow Fisher (Bruce Savage), Gotta Love It 7, Southern Cross and Active Air-2UE.
The young Pure Blonde crew was outstanding on the long spinnaker run to Obelisk Bay as they stretched their lead to 30s from Active Air-2UE, Southern Cross and Gotta Love It 7, which was trailing 90s from the lead..
With the breeze tending a little west, all teams were forced to gybe several times.
The following windward leg back to Rose Bay saw a four way battle develop as Southern Cross and Active Air-2UE put pressure on Pure Blonde, while Gotta Love It 7 edged closer.
At the Rose Bay mark Southern Cross led by just 2s from Active Air-2UE, with Pure Blonde 10s back and Gotta Love It 7 a further 15s away.
Southern Cross retained the lead (20s) on the run to Athol Bay East mark as all crews had to drop and reset their spinnakers to clear Bradleys Head.
There was yet another lead change when Active Air-2UE took advantage of her windward position on the work to Clarke Island.
Active Air-2UE led Southern Cross by 15s with Pure Blonde still third and a 30s gap to Gotta Love It 7 in fourth place.
While their three opponents gybed to the northern shore on the second run to Obelisk, the Pure Blonde team continued on their starboard gybe and were rewarded when they picked up a southerly breeze off Rose Bay.
It gave Pure Blonde a 10s lead over Southern Cross, while Active Air-2UE was now 40s further back in third place ahead of appliancesonline, which made up good time in mid stream.
Gotta Love It 7 lost out badly on this run and was trailing in fifth place 1m30s from the lead.
The pressure was on as the fleet headed into Rose Bay as the five leaders were joined by Rag & Famish Hotel.
Southern Cross grabbed the lead back at Rose Bay but the race was far from over.
Southern Cross retained the lead downwind and held a 23s margin at the final windward mark.
The race to the finish was intense as the five leaders were spread across the course searching for every breath of breeze.
Race 5 will be sailed tomorrow with the final two races set down for Saturday and Sunday.
More photos published on www.18footers.com.au and video is on www.sailcam.tv.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
JJ Giltinan Championships: Race Three
18ft Skiffs
Giltinan Championship – Race 3
(sponsored by Winning Appliances and SLAM)
(today’s race sponsored by De Longhi)
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Sydney Harbour
Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout had to use all their skills to master a shifty South East wind in bringing Gotta Love It 7 home the winner of Race 3 of the Giltinan International Championship today.
The win has moved Gotta Love It 7 into equal second place with Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris) on 10 points, behind Race 2 winner Active Air-2UE (Matthew Searle, Dan Wilsdon and Archie Massey) on 8.
Gotta Love It 7’s margin today was 27s from Rag & Famish, with Britiah team Project Racing (Andy Budgen, Matt Mc Govern and James Barker).
Once again, an overcast sky and light wind greeted the fleet on Sydney Harbour.
There was an immediate drama when a Manly Ferry appeared just after the start and the starter was forced to recall the fleet.
After the restart the fleet split into two groups as it has done so often in the regatta.
This time, the teams which elected to go to the RHS of the course won out as Thurlow Fisher (Bruce Savage) led from Gotta Love It 7 and Active Air-2UE at the windward mark.
Project Racing was next, followed by Quantum Sails NZ (Chris Skinner) and Me (Ian Henderson).
At the bottom mark near Robertson Point, Gotta Love It 7 led narrowly from Project Racing with Thurlow Fisher third and Me fourth.
From that point the race became a merry-go-round for the leading group as the positions were changing constantly in the difficult conditions.
Thurlow Fisher grabbed the lead at Clarke Island, then Rag & Famish took over at Chowder Head.
Gotta Love It 7 then took a 4s lead from Rag & Famish Hotel at the Taylors Bay mark, and despite serious challenges, was able to retain the lead to the finish.
At the final windward mark 7’s lead was just a couple of boat lengths from Project Racing with Rag & Famish Hotel and Active Air-2UE close behind.
The four teams sailed tack for tack up the final beat but Gotta Love It 7 was in control and thoroughly deserved her victory.
Race 4 of the championship will be sailed tomorrow, followed by further races on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Further photos will be published on www.18footers.com.au and video can be seen on www.sailcam.tv.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
Additional Photos From Christophe Favrea:
Giltinan Championship – Race 3
(sponsored by Winning Appliances and SLAM)
(today’s race sponsored by De Longhi)
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Sydney Harbour
Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout had to use all their skills to master a shifty South East wind in bringing Gotta Love It 7 home the winner of Race 3 of the Giltinan International Championship today.
The win has moved Gotta Love It 7 into equal second place with Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris) on 10 points, behind Race 2 winner Active Air-2UE (Matthew Searle, Dan Wilsdon and Archie Massey) on 8.
Gotta Love It 7’s margin today was 27s from Rag & Famish, with Britiah team Project Racing (Andy Budgen, Matt Mc Govern and James Barker).
Once again, an overcast sky and light wind greeted the fleet on Sydney Harbour.
There was an immediate drama when a Manly Ferry appeared just after the start and the starter was forced to recall the fleet.
After the restart the fleet split into two groups as it has done so often in the regatta.
This time, the teams which elected to go to the RHS of the course won out as Thurlow Fisher (Bruce Savage) led from Gotta Love It 7 and Active Air-2UE at the windward mark.
Project Racing was next, followed by Quantum Sails NZ (Chris Skinner) and Me (Ian Henderson).
At the bottom mark near Robertson Point, Gotta Love It 7 led narrowly from Project Racing with Thurlow Fisher third and Me fourth.
From that point the race became a merry-go-round for the leading group as the positions were changing constantly in the difficult conditions.
Thurlow Fisher grabbed the lead at Clarke Island, then Rag & Famish took over at Chowder Head.
Gotta Love It 7 then took a 4s lead from Rag & Famish Hotel at the Taylors Bay mark, and despite serious challenges, was able to retain the lead to the finish.
At the final windward mark 7’s lead was just a couple of boat lengths from Project Racing with Rag & Famish Hotel and Active Air-2UE close behind.
The four teams sailed tack for tack up the final beat but Gotta Love It 7 was in control and thoroughly deserved her victory.
Race 4 of the championship will be sailed tomorrow, followed by further races on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Further photos will be published on www.18footers.com.au and video can be seen on www.sailcam.tv.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
Additional Photos From Christophe Favrea:
Sunday, February 15, 2009
JJ Giltinan Championship: Race Two
18ft Skiffs Giltinan Championship
Race 2
Sponsored by Winning Appliances and SLAM
(Today’s race sponsored by Maytag)
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Sydney Harbour
Matthew Searle, Dan Wilsdon and Archie Massey totally dominated the 32-boat fleet today when they took out Race 2 of the JJ Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour.
The trio took Active Air-2UE to the lead from the start and was never headed over the long South-East course.
Their winning margin was an impressive 1m15s over defending champion Seve Jarvin in Gotta Love It 7.and has also given the team the overall point lead in the championship.
With a number of protests being lodged, all placings and point scores are provisional at this time.
Third placing today went to Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris), which finished 42s behind Gotta Love It 7.
After a disastrous first leg of the course, Southern Cross Constructions (Euan Mc Nicol) finished strongly to take fourth place, ahead of Me (Ian Henderson) and Race 1 winner Smeg, skippered by Hugh Stodart.
Provisional points are Active Air-2UE on 4 points, Southern Cross 6, Smeg 7, Rag & Famish 8, Gotta Love It 7 9 and appliancesonline.com.au, John Winning Jr. on 13.
In a bold move, Yandoo (John Winning), Southern Cross Constructions and Project Racing (Andy Budgen) went to the RHS of the course immediately after the start while the majority of the fleet went on a long starboard tack to Steel Point.
When the two groups met those on the LHS were more than two minutes ahead.
Active Air-2UE held an 8s lead over Gotta Love It 7 at the windward mark, with Macquarie Real Estate (Micah Lane) a further 20s back in third place.
Rag & Famish was fourth ahead of Me, Kinder Caring Home Nursing (Brett Van Munster), appliancesonline and Smeg, which was one minute from the lead.
Active Air-2UE retained her lead on the long spinnaker run to Robertson Point then eased further away on the work back to Clark Island.
Although 1m20s behind Active Air-2UE, Ian Henderson and his Me team of Aron Everett and Reece Goldsmith were superb on this leg as they sailed into second place 20s ahead of Kinder Caring.
Gotta Love It 7 was 2m55s from the lead in fourth place, followed by Rag & Famish, Macquarie Real Estate, Asko Appliances (Evan Walker), Smeg, appliancesonline and Pure Blonde (James Francis).
While Active Air-2UE continued to lead comfortably at the Rose Bay mark (55s), Gotta Love It 7 was the big improver as Jarvin and his team came back into second place, ahead of Me, Kinder Caring, Southern Cross, Rag & Famish, Smeg and Macquarie Real Estate.
The ‘loop’ across the harbour to Taylors Bay and return to Rose Bay saw little positional change as Active Air-2UE continued to hold a race winning lead over Gotta Love It 7.
Me was still holding on to third place although pressure was now being applied by Rag & Famish and Southern Cross.
Today’s photographs will be published on www.18footers.com.au.
Video coverage is on www.sailcam.tv.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
Race 2
Sponsored by Winning Appliances and SLAM
(Today’s race sponsored by Maytag)
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Sydney Harbour
Matthew Searle, Dan Wilsdon and Archie Massey totally dominated the 32-boat fleet today when they took out Race 2 of the JJ Giltinan Championship on Sydney Harbour.
The trio took Active Air-2UE to the lead from the start and was never headed over the long South-East course.
Their winning margin was an impressive 1m15s over defending champion Seve Jarvin in Gotta Love It 7.and has also given the team the overall point lead in the championship.
With a number of protests being lodged, all placings and point scores are provisional at this time.
Third placing today went to Rag & Famish Hotel (John Harris), which finished 42s behind Gotta Love It 7.
After a disastrous first leg of the course, Southern Cross Constructions (Euan Mc Nicol) finished strongly to take fourth place, ahead of Me (Ian Henderson) and Race 1 winner Smeg, skippered by Hugh Stodart.
Provisional points are Active Air-2UE on 4 points, Southern Cross 6, Smeg 7, Rag & Famish 8, Gotta Love It 7 9 and appliancesonline.com.au, John Winning Jr. on 13.
In a bold move, Yandoo (John Winning), Southern Cross Constructions and Project Racing (Andy Budgen) went to the RHS of the course immediately after the start while the majority of the fleet went on a long starboard tack to Steel Point.
When the two groups met those on the LHS were more than two minutes ahead.
Active Air-2UE held an 8s lead over Gotta Love It 7 at the windward mark, with Macquarie Real Estate (Micah Lane) a further 20s back in third place.
Rag & Famish was fourth ahead of Me, Kinder Caring Home Nursing (Brett Van Munster), appliancesonline and Smeg, which was one minute from the lead.
Active Air-2UE retained her lead on the long spinnaker run to Robertson Point then eased further away on the work back to Clark Island.
Although 1m20s behind Active Air-2UE, Ian Henderson and his Me team of Aron Everett and Reece Goldsmith were superb on this leg as they sailed into second place 20s ahead of Kinder Caring.
Gotta Love It 7 was 2m55s from the lead in fourth place, followed by Rag & Famish, Macquarie Real Estate, Asko Appliances (Evan Walker), Smeg, appliancesonline and Pure Blonde (James Francis).
While Active Air-2UE continued to lead comfortably at the Rose Bay mark (55s), Gotta Love It 7 was the big improver as Jarvin and his team came back into second place, ahead of Me, Kinder Caring, Southern Cross, Rag & Famish, Smeg and Macquarie Real Estate.
The ‘loop’ across the harbour to Taylors Bay and return to Rose Bay saw little positional change as Active Air-2UE continued to hold a race winning lead over Gotta Love It 7.
Me was still holding on to third place although pressure was now being applied by Rag & Famish and Southern Cross.
Today’s photographs will be published on www.18footers.com.au.
Video coverage is on www.sailcam.tv.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
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