Sail Brisbane at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron - Day 1
by Suellen Hurling 28 Nov 2008 06:40 GMT
27-30 November 2008
Racing on day one of Sail Brisbane © Suellen Hurling
Sail Brisbane, the first leg of the Sail Down Under Series got underway yesterday racing from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) at Manly. Entrants totaling 143 from seven countries raced on three separate courses to get in the first two races of the regatta.
Rigging in torrential rain it was uncertain to the sailors that they had
arrived in Sunny Queensland. Eventually the clouds cleared to a
consistent 12 knots from the north east.
The Laser fleets raced on the northern end of the bay with
Internationals leading the way. Matias Del Solar from Chili and Matt
Coutts from New Zealand share the winning positions from the two races
and are now equal on three points. Javier Cebrian from Spain sits on
eight points in 3rd position.
Former local but now Far North Queensland resident Kelsey Ormsby is 3
points clear of Mark Langford from Belmont in NSW. Former Masters World
Champion Greg Adams is equal with Langford but is rumoured to be out of
the regatta due to a back injury. Another Far North Queenslander,
Andrew Torpelund is sitting comfortably in the podium position in the
Laser 4.7 fleet after two convincing wins in yesterday’s races.
The southern end of the bay has a great line up of Sabot sailors who are
using Sail Brisbane as a final hit out prior to their Australian
Championships which are being raced over the Christmas/New Year period
at Airlie Beach. Felix Grech from Hunters Hill Sailing Club in Sydney
won both races with Matt Graham from Gosford Sailing Club sitting
closely behind after racing to second in both races.
Tom Brewer and Will Ryan from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
together with Laura Balwin and Rike Ziegelmayer sailing for Middle
Harbour Amateur Sailing Club and RQYS are leading in the 470 class both
sitting on 3 points.
Two wins in the 420 fleet for RQYS sailors Sean Ott and Adam Lahey has
them clear ahead of Byron White and Jay Griffin from the CYCA. Racing
in this competitive fleet will be close for the duration of the regatta
with both teams excelling in the heavy conditions that are forecast.
Former Laser Radial sailor Kieran Searle from Northern NSW is at the
helm of a 29er for Sail Brisbane after teaming up with Sam Phillips from
RQYS. They are equal placed with RQYS locals Angus Rankin and James
Dahl.
Young Optimist sailor Charlie Wyatt took out the first race of the
regatta with Louise Evans winning Race Two. Evans received an OCS in
Race One pushing her deep in the results after the first day of racing.
Mackenzie Bird from Victoria is on equal points with Wyatt but the
results could go any way with these competitive sailors.
The 125 fleet is strong in Queensland, especially within the Brisbane
River clubs. Jenny Anderson and Joanne Luscombe from the Brisbane
Sailing Squadron are leading the fleet after two wins yesterday ahead of
another BSS crew of Tim and Lauren Robba. RQYS 125 sailors Bronwyn and
Nigel Seto are equal with the Robba crew after Day One.
The SB3 fleet is using Sail Brisbane to race their first Queensland
Championship. Rod Jones who was behind the fleet arriving in Australia
is leading after two wins. However Jones is reportedly out of the
regatta due to a hamstring/achilles injury suffered during yesterday’s
racing.
The Hobie 16 fleet will join the SB3s on the Eastern course from
Saturday.
The forecast for Day 2 of racing has conditions increasing to 20/25
knots with a strong wind warning in place for the evening. Saturday is
due to bring a 20/30 knots SW breeze.
Click here for full results and here for more day one photos.