Leaders emerging at the 40th Tasar Nationals

by Stuart Templeton on 2 Jan 2013 Race day two provided some great sailing conditions with a moderate South Easterly breeze at the Southern Diesel and Marine 40th Australian Tasar Titles at Victor Harbor in South Australia. Five races have now been completed and early favourites are emerging.

Mike Karas and Molly Jackson representing Seattle Yacht Club in the USA continue to lead the pack, together and on equal points with Rob and Nicole Douglass representing Jervis Bay Sailing Club in NSW. NS14 sailor Hugh Tait from NSW, stalwart Rick Longbottom from the Defence Sailing Team, and Pete Ellis and Charlotte Birbeck from VIC round out the top five.

The extremely close racing saw the fleet push the start in both races with seven boats over the line to receive a Black Flag Disqualification (BFD) in each race. The days racing proved to be successful for the event sponsors competing in the fleet. Rob McMillan from NB Sailsports is sailing his first Tasar event with his six year old son William and were second around the top mark in race 4 and managed to hold onto a fifth in a building breeze. Alistair Murray from Ronstan finished day two with a seventh and a eighth.

Stuart Templeton and Nicole Kidman from Oogy Wawa Productions had a great second race once the breeze built and came across the finish line in sixth only to be one of many victims of the BFD. Race Officer Robert Rogerson ran a very professional program with minimal delay for a very busy day on the water for the race committee.

Competitors and their families enjoyed a New Years Eve celebration last night hosted by Victor Harbor Yacht Club. Racing continues tomorrow following a programmed rest day Oogywawa website