2024 Tasar World Championships Sandringham Yacht Club, Victoria, Australia - Practice Race

2024 Tasar World Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club Practice Race: OLE taking the lead © Beau Outteridge

2024 Tasar World Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club: The Honeymoon © Beau Outteridge

Seven nations, 108 entrants, 216 sailors and an entourage of supporting family and friends, the 2024 Tasar World Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club, Victoria Australia is ready, set, go!

Today's practice race followed a tireless day of final registrations, measurement and regatta tweaking. It was such a pleasure to be part of today's race management briefing, where our Principle Race officer Steve Aulich addressed the team of 30 plus volunteers. Supported by his assistant, the legendry Kevin Willson Steve ran through his final overview for each key position and responsibility, there is such a positive culture and unity across this group... a perfect base for a successful regatta.

Running through the entrants there are so many great life and sailing stories to be told, far to many for one addition so stay tuned for my special acknowledgments each day. But for new its all about:

• AUS2913 The Honeymoon, Congratulations to Jordy and Maddy on there recent marriage and making their Tasar world championship campaign the perfect way to celebrate their commitment to each other.

• AUS2883 Smac Peter and Karen Davis... 40 years married, 8th world title together, only Tasmanian entry. When not sailing the Tasar they race their keel boat 2 up. Bravo!
  
  2024 Tasar World Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club: 40 years of happiness - Peter and Karen Davis - photo © Beau Outteridge

• AUS2192 Sweet Potayto Ian Strings Taylor and his son William Taylor, Yes strings has just completed his 22nd Sydney to Hobart but sailing with his son in the one design regatta takes the cake.
  
  2024 Tasar World Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club: Sweet Potayto, Ian and William Taylor - photo © Beau Outteridge

Today's practice race dealt a finicky South/South Easterly with spikes of a true southerly breeze. After three broken starts, one Blue Peter, one U, and finally the black flag, the race got away. The 630 meter line initially showed signs of a winning left hand course and many boats backed the congested leeward end resulting in 8 black flag disqualifications.

2024 Tasar World Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club Practice Race: 620m start line - photo © Beau Outteridge

As the race progressed the perceived winning left hand side was overtaken with more offshore pressure and a right hand bend. The left hand boats had to work hard with the shifts and available zephyrs to get back into the race.

USA2982 OLE, former world champions, Jay Renehan and Lisa Renehan led the race at the first mark with JPN2582 Destino Mahoro Sekiguchi and Ryo Uematsu on their tail. The Australian Championship winners Harry Sly and Zarah Challis were also pushing at the front pack. Following a short change of lead, OLE managed to pick a winning lane to take victory for the day, great racing by Harry/Zaray and team Mahoro/Ryo to take 2nd and 3rd place.

2024 Tasar World Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club Practice Race: Top 3 of the day - photo © Beau Outteridge

Race one tomorrow currently holds a solid South/South westerly in store. Great breeze, great fun... enjoy!

Practice Race Results:

Follow along at 2024.tasarworlds.com