Etchells - Gusty winds for Flight 4 Ronstan Tuesday Night Series
by Hayden Whitburn on 19 Nov 2015
Etchells Invitation Series - November 3, 2015 Richard Gladwell
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Two races were completed in some strong gusty conditions with some very exciting racing in the Flight 4 Ronstan Tuesday Night Series
Race 1:
It was all on at the start with Fengi Shui (905) leading the charge from the pin, clear ahead of Upfront (814), Etchelon (1083) and Valsheda (1348). With the gusty conditions, it was all about playing the shifts. However, the left proved to come through for Upfront (814) which lead at the top with Fengi Shui (1348) and Valsheda (950) close behind.
Upfront had spinnaker Issues and was passed by both boats down the run with Fengi Shui now taking the lead and Valsheda right on their transom around the bottom.
Upfront (814) choose the left again, which proved to be favoured again, but not enough to catch Fengi Shui. Valsheda had a superb hoist and passed Upfront to the finish.
Race 2:
Again the left side paid dividends and Upfront (814) lead around the top from Etchelon, having a great beat with the help of Grant Loretz – Americas Cup Veteran - Fengi Shui a close third, followed by Valsheda.
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Upfront had spinnaker issues again and Fengi Shui and Echelon both passed to leeward. However, Upfront finally got it together, got a big puff and managed to gybe and cross ahead to lead around the bottom mark.
These positions held for the upwind leg, so it was all down to the final downwind. Fengi Shui had a better hoist and managed to soak inside Upfront, but they managed to find a puff and gybe ahead to clear Fengi Shui to take the Bullet.
Valsheda sailed superbly downwind to pass Echelon to claim third place.
The Fleet headed to Swashbucklers for a final debrief and was presented with prizes for every boat by of Stephen Brayshaw of Ronstan - to whom many thanks.
Thanks also to Joshua McCormick for being RO, Allan Fraser for supplying his fine vessel and Matthew Caldwell from North Sails.
Results are
here (flight) and
here (overall)
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