Tough Conditions for the start of the SLAM Combined High Schools Champ

by Rodney Carter on 14 Apr 2014 The opening two races of the Combined High Schools Championship have seen moderate to strong conditions so far with the fleet sailing in breezes from 16-22knts.

Race 1 saw a number of boats misread their course maps and try to finish a lap early. ‘Hydromatic’ sailed by Stephen Hancock (Hills Grammar School) had a brilliant first race to finish second on corrected time. The multihull division continues to perform well in the tough conditions posting some solid results with Caleb White (Hobie 16) and Nicholas Hord (Taipan 4.9) finishing in the top five in race one.

A highlight of race one was a spectacular crash which saw the day end early for Nathan Edwards (Newington College) sailing his I14 when he was hit and his boat started to sink.

Race 2 saw some similar names at the top end of the fleet. Will McKenzie (St Johns Nowra) sailing his Hobie 16 and Jess Grimes (Merewether High School) on her 29er both sailed well to gain fifth and fourth respectively. Caleb White’s Hobie 16 managed a third while Henry Makin finished second.

However, the day belonged to Reilly Tasker (Bulli High School) sailing his MG14 with a perfect score of two bullets in today’s racing. Last year’s champion Henry Makin (Avondale College) sailing his Cherub is currently sitting in second place overall with Caleb White’s (Mackillop Senior College) Hobie 16 in third.

Similar conditions are expected for the remainder of the regatta. With the chasing fleet not far behind, this regatta is far from over.

Full race results click here
http://www.topyacht.net.au/results/2014/chs/combinedhs/series.htm