Unsettling challenges at SLAM Combined High Schools Championship

by Rod Carter on 15 Apr 2016 At the SLAM Combined High Schools Championship, the start to today’s races was delayed as the weather forecast failed to materialize, and unsettled conditions meant different challenges throughout the two scheduled races.

Race three saw overnight leader John Cooley (The Scots College) sailing is 29er ‘Frontline’ continued his good form posting a second place with ‘Cat Scan’ a Flying 11 sailed by Rhiannan Brown (Central Coast Grammar) third. However, the light conditions meant the skiffs dominated the results with Tom Crockett (Whitebridge High) sailing his 16ft skiff sailing away to comfortable win on corrected time.

Unfortunately, the foiling A-Class catamaran of Lachie White (Merewether High School) who was running second overall coming into the days racing, found the light conditions tough going in race three and four and has now dropped off the podium and is in seventh overall at the end of the day.

In race four, Tom Crockett again streaked away for the win making it two bullets on corrected time. Closely in pursuit was John Cooley and further back in third was the ever consistent Max Paul (St Aloysius College) on his 29er.

Overall, John Cooley maintains his lead over his rivals but only a few points separate the chasing fleet in the top 10. With discards coming into play after tomorrow’s racing the results are wide open. Races five and six are scheduled for tomorrow.