SLAM Combined High Schools Championships - Day 4

by Rod Carter on 10 Apr 2015 Day four of the SLAM Combined High Schools Championship has seen a number of challengers stake their claim for the overall crown.

The day was not without its dramas. Defending champion Henry Makin (Avondale College) did not finish the first race of the day on his Moth due to gear failure. Another contender for the title Lachlan White (Merewether High) was also forced to retire his A-class catamaran from the last race of the day after suffering rudder problems before the start. Regatta organisers are privileged to have event sponsors DeckHardware on hand at the event to assist the many competitors with running repairs to ensure they able to continue competing.

Race three of the series saw a moderate 12-15knt SSW breeze which slowly faded, favouring the first finishing boats. Sailing a consistent series so far, Jerome Watts (Trinity Grammar) on his 16ft skiff ‘Loose Canon’ won the race on corrected time. Second place went to Hobie 16 sailor and overnight series leaders Will McKenzie (St Johns Nowra). Lachlan White finished third in his A-class catamaran.

In Race four, Henry Makin once again reminded his competitors that he is a serious contender for the retaining the title, winning Race four with a faultless display of speed. Tom Crockett (Whitebridge High) sailing his 29er finished second, with ‘White Pointer’ a 13ft Glider catamaran sailed by Bailey Hord (Lake Munmorah High) finishing third.

Currently, the skiffs and multihulls are dominating the top end of the leader board. Tom Crockett (29er) is the overall series leader going into the final day racing. In hot pursuit is John Cooley (Scots College) also on a 29er and Jerome Watts’s 16ft skiff ‘Loose Canon.’ With light winds expected for the final days racing, current leaders may struggle to maintain their advantage over the chasing fleet.