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Day One - Barloworld Mercedes-Benz Couta Boat National Championships

'C97 and others, some well below the top mark - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals' © Alex McKinnon

Alex McKinnon was on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula to capture the always entertaining Couta Boat action.
Nick Williams took Line Honours in first two races in an emphatic display of both the manhandling that these vessels require and also skill in working with the wind, waves and tide in these less than ultra-manoeuvrable craft.

Robbie Hiam, the Commodore of the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, pretty much summed up the first day of racing for this highly sought after title. ‘What a good day we just had. There was 20 knots blowing, one torn sail, one broken bowsprit and even one sunk boat. Lovely stuff and we had so much fun out there.’

C14 Surprise and C92 Whisper work uphill together - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals - © Alex McKinnon

‘It certainly is a hive of activity here, with junior sail programmes being conducted for those not in Hobart and loads of families enjoying the sun and water from beachside, too.’

Coutas making a splash at their national titles - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals - © Alex McKinnon

‘In all honesty, many thanks to Barloworld for the continued support of Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club and the Couta boats in general. They really make a big difference’, Hiam finished with.

C97, C2003 Romy and C86 Wagtail are all some of the fastest Coutas out there - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals - © Alex McKinnon

C41 Phoenix and C08 Nepean where Phoenix ultimately climbed over the top of Nepean - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals - © Alex McKinnon

C1999 Rhapsody and C2003 Romy - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals - © Alex McKinnon

C127 Matilda and C118 Sorrento - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals - © Alex McKinnon

Looking back up the course at C90 Kathleen Mary and the fleet - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals - © Alex McKinnon

Arthurs Seat forms the backdrop here at the Couta boat racing - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals - © Alex McKinnon

C03 Darney impressive with their hiking and C2011 Salacia in the background - Barloworld Couta Boat Nationals - © Alex McKinnon

by Alex McKinnon

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