International 14 Australian Championships - Day 1 on Waterloo Bay

by Andrew Gough on 30 Dec 2012 The 2012 Australian International 14 Championships are taking place 29th December-6th January and with a predicted 20-25 knot southerly and an outgoing tide, it was bound to be a big first day on Queensland's Waterloo Bay.

Sailing from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, the event is being held over seven days with a variety of wind conditions predicted.

With 26 entries the rigging lawn at the Royal Queensland was calm prior to what was a day of Russian roulette as to who was going to break what, in a strong 25 knot southerly.

Only two 14s finished the windy Invitational and it was none other then Brad Devine sailing with Ian Furlong to take the race win. Devine and Furlong are coming off the back of four Australian championship wins, and are on the hunt for their fifth. The heavy air prediction for the regatta means conditions are in their favor.

'We have never been on the bay before together but we got around and finished, we are looking forward to a great regatta, plus the boat and settings felt good for the windy conditions today' said a speed weathered Furlong.

With the media boat and all other craft required to assist various boats, the Bay was left open for Devine and Furlong to push the limits of their 14.