A Class Catamaran Australian National Championships - Overall report
by Robert Griffits on 7 Jan 2015
Steve Brewin demonstrating a "High Four" on foils Julie Hartwig
http://www.juliehartwigphotography.ifp3.com/
After six races, we are half way along the proposed schedule of twelve races at the A Class Catamaran National Championships at Lake Cootharaba. A fleet of 50 boats are competing, with numbers down a little this year due to a clash with the International Moth Class Australian and World Championships in Victoria.
Currently the event is led by Brad Collett from Qeensland, from Stephen Brayshaw, Hamish Sinclair and Dave Brewer (all from Victoria) , with Steve Brewin from New South Wales in fifth position.
Collett, Brayshaw, and Brewin have each won two races , and they are sailing consistently at the top of fleet. Brewin's record has a blemish of a Did Not Finish after a capsize in race three. These three have mastered the art of foiling their boats with the technologies that have emerged from Europe over the past twelve months.
A little more than a third of the fleet have the lifting foils fitted to their boats, but it is quite a steep learning curve to master the art. Fortunately Lake Cootharaba is an ideal venue on which to improve technique. The winds have been consistent across both days of the regatta, with winds in the light to moderate range for the three races on day one, with a more adventurous 18 to 20 knots for Day 2. The waters are comfortably flat which is assisting with stability.
After a rest day today, racing will resume on Thurday, and conclude on Friday.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/130488
