Skiffs revealing the light conditions at Combined High Schools Regatta

by Rod Carter on 20 Apr 2013 The 150 strong fleet of the Combined High Schools Championship have seen light conditions so far with 8-13knt breezes. This has allowed the skiffs dominate results after Race 3 of the event.

Overnight leader after Race 2, Jim Colley (Barrenjoey High School) sailing their 13ft Skiff 'Sheads' were OCS in Race 3, after failing to re-round the end of the start line. This has enabled Henry Makin and his crew (Avondale College) sailing their 16ft Skiff ‘Aristocrat’ to now extend a small margin on the chasing fleet. Brooke Smith (Avondale College) sailing a 49er ‘Pure Blonde’ is currently in second position and local sailor Jarrod Turner (Belmont High School) is in third in his 16ft Skiff 'TJS'.

Race Organiser were forced to postpone racing today as the expected change of a low pressure system off the coast whipped up strong winds and gusts of over 30knts were recorded before the start of Race 4. Conditions are expected to remain strong for the final days racing. This could see the leading skiffs struggle to maintain their advantage in the results.

Off the water, last night Race Organisers held a dinner and Q&A time with guest speakers Liesl Tesch (London Paralympics Gold Medallist), Lindsay Stead (AC boat builder), James Burman (Laser Sailor) and Karyn Gojnich (Director - Yachting Australia). The evening was hosted by Nix from the radio show ‘Sailing Chix with Nix.' Competitors got to hear some inspiring and motivating stories from the presenters and even had an opportunity to have a look and photo with Liesl’s Gold Medal.

Full race results, click here