2011 Toyota Optimist NZ Nationals - Race Day 3 Report

by Christine Hansen on 23 Apr 2011
New Zealand has reclaimed the top positions at the end of racing on the third day of the National Championship. The Open fleet sailed four races today and are now half way through their series, and half way to final selection for one of the five places in the NZ Worlds team.

Leonard Takahashi-Fry of Murrays Bay BC had two bullets and a second placing to take a six point lead over Isaac McHardie of Hamilton, with Nathaniel Deverell of the Bay of Islands in third.

We stepped back into summer today – conditions were sunny, with a light chop while the wind continued to come from the north east, but at a very pleasant 9 – 12 knots.

With lighter winds the tide became a big factor in tactics for the sailors, especially with Easter having particularly strong tides. The Race Committee had their work cut out for them – having to take into consideration the tide for mark laying, and keeping out of the shipping chanel on a day when there were a number of shipping movements, in fact one of the early races in the day had to be abandoned as the course encroached on the shipping lane.

In the Green fleet all sailors completed their course and finished racing in the early afternoon. The Tahitian sailors have taken the lead – Vaite Delvallet being ahead of Romain Vigneron on count back, with yesterday’s leader, Henry Gibbs of Queen Charlotte YC in third.

Tomorrow the weather forecast is for the north easterly to continue up to 15 knots and possibly with rain coming through in the afternoon.

For full results in the Open and Green fleet go to the event website: www.optimistnationals.org.nz