Melges 32 Australasia Cup Series - Team Girdis win first leg

by Heath Walters on 24 Aug 2011 Melges 32 Australasia Cup Series.

With 30 knot winds shutting out the days racing yesterday there was a real buzz of enthusiasm around the dock as the crews got to the boats this morning.

After tuning the rigs to their heavy air settings, the crews ready to go were slowed by the PRO Dennis Thompson hoisting the AP and holding the fleet on shore as the breeze strength continued to climb.

Kym Williams and his crew set out at noon for an 'Expession Season'. Running past the Hamilton Island Yacht Club a number of times without a problem, perhaps to the disappointment of the spectators who were hoping for a crash or two.

This encouraged the committee to start the racing in the Dent Passage.

With some close tactical racing up the first beat to keep out of the tide, Gus Reid's 'Max Star' rounded in front and set off for the bottom mark in a ball of spray and sail. Second was Steve Girdis 'Funnel Web' followed by Desperado. Half way down the run Max Star tipped it in, letting the lead go and finished with a third.

The following races were won by the unstoppable Team Girdis who has won this first leg of the Australasia Cup Series.

Series Results [OD] up to Race 8 (Drops = 1)

Place Ties Sail No Boat Name Skipper Sers Score R8 R7 R6 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1

1 323 FUNNELWEB Stephen Girdis 11.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 [5.0] 4.0
2 582 DESPERADO Noel Leigh-Smith 13.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 [5.0] 1.0 2.0
3 USA158 MAXSTAR Angus Reid 18.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 2.0 [4.0] 2.0 2.0 1.0
4 BOW320 ROCK N' ROLL Kim Williams 23.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 [5.0]
5 GBR700 PANTHER Stephen O'Rourke 39.0 7.0C 7.0C 7.0C 7.0S [7.0F] 4.0 4.0 3.0
6 183 PLANIT Anthony Passmore 42.0 7.0C 7.0C [7.0C] 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0