2015 Paper Tiger Nationals kicked off on a sunny Tassie day
by Travis Woods on 5 Jan 2015
Race 2 Action at Lauderdale Travis Woods
The 45th Goodall Designs / Boatnames.com.au Paper Tiger Nationals kicked off on a sunny Tassie day, at the Lauderdale Yacht Club, on Friday 3rd of January.
The day began with the Invitation Race, allowing competitors to blow out the cobwebs, which was taken out by Bryan Anderson (Fly’n Bry’n). this was followed by the inaugural Dash for Cash speed trial, with the Tas PT president Sean Keady (Sssmokin Billy) taking home the kitty, much to the amusement of the heckling spectators on the beach.
Saturday 3rd saw the real action commence, with Race One held in a perfect, if somewhat challenging, 15-20 knot sea breeze. After a race-long tussle, it was Bryan Anderson again prevailing, over Mark Wiggins (Firestorm) and Greg Williams (Shadow Boxing) with a late charge into third position.
When the consistent sea breeze mysteriously disappeared soon after the start of Race Two, it signalled a long afternoon for the fleet, as the wind shifted and faded, extending the race into the early evening, and frustrating the committee and sailors alike. The top 10 opened a significant gap on the fleet, with positions changing regularly. However, it was Luke Stout (Go’n Wild) who sailed to a convincing win, followed by Jason Dunsmore (Unknown Zone), and the ever consistent Bryan Anderson in third.
Sunday 4th began bright and early with a 10am start for Race Three, and a solid 15- 20 knot SW breeze. Lauderdale veteran Rob Cracknel (Mac Attack) quickly built a substantial margin at the front, but suffered an untimely capsize in the gusty conditions on the final lap, and was replaced at the front by another local, Bruce Rose (The Apprentice). The podium was completed by Sean Keady and Greg Williams.
Race Four commenced in similar conditions to the morning race, with a large lead pack swapping positions on the first lap. The inconsistent breeze, was abruptly replace by a fresh SE sea breeze, which provided a big wind shift, catching out many sailors on the right side of the course, and triggering a spate of capsizes.
The change in direction provided some exciting reaches, but little in the way of tactical opportunities. None of this was enough to unsettle Bryan Anderson, who took another win, from Mark Wiggins and Bruce Rose.
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