Leaderboard shake-up in Ronstan Cherub NSW State Championships

Beynon Telford and Matt Hall power away in "The French Tickler" - 2016-17 Ronstan Cherub NSW State Championships Round Two Carol Stephenson

Nicole Barnes and Ollie Jones took over the series lead with 1,1 2 results over the three races of the Round. - 2016-17 Ronstan Cherub NSW State Championships Round Two © Carol Stephenson

Saturday’s short course racing was sailed in a fresh 15-20 kt north-easterly breeze that made for frantic racing in the narrow channels of Sydney’s Upper Harbour. The 33 strong Cherub fleet put on a spectacular display with close boat for boat racing throughout the fleet.

With 33 Cherubs on the start line there was close racing throughout the fleet - 2016-17 Ronstan Cherub NSW State Championships Round Two © Carol Stephenson

Barnes and Jones sailing “Enough Rope”, recovered from a poor start in Race One to sail their way progressively through the crowed fleet, overtaking the early leaders Tim and Chris Harrington on the last lap of the course. In Race Two they took the lead early recording a big win from the early series leaders the Lancaster brothers, Brett and Ryan, from Belmont 16ft Sailing Club in “Causin Haavik” with Alison Chapman and Andrew Stephenson from Drummoyne in “Action” third.

Brett and Ryan Lancaster are still well in contention for the series just one point behind the leaqders. - 2016-17 Ronstan Cherub NSW State Championships Round Two © Carol Stephenson

Sunday’s long format race was sailed in a more moderate 12-15 kt south-easterly and grey skies. Davin Conigrave and Jess Stephenson from Drummoyne in their new Bartley Mk 1 Cherub “On Top” mastered the tricky shifting breeze to score a great win form Barnes and Jones followed by Chapman and Stephenson in third.

Davin Conigrave and Jess Stephenson on their way to a great win in Race Six. - 2016-17 Ronstan Cherub NSW State Championships Round Two © Carol Stephenson

At the halfway point of the series the leaderboard is very tight with Barnes and Jones now leading by a single point from the Lancaster brothers with Chapman and Stephenson a further point and a half back in third. Barnes and Jones also lead the Junior Division from two Drummoyne crews, Emily Ward and Daniel Barnett in second with Emma Harrison and James Padgett in third.

Gordon Marr and Rupert McEvoy sit in third place in the Cadet Division after the first two rounds of the series. - 2016-17 Ronstan Cherub NSW State Championships Round Two © Carol Stephenson

In the Cadet Division, Belmont’s Lateisha Bower and Jarod Turner lead form Maddy and Ben Davis from Drummoyne with Gordon Marr and Rupert McEvoy from Vaucluse in third.

The third round of the series will be sailed in early February 2017, split between Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club and Vaucluse Amateur 12ft Sailing Club.

Morgan York and Kurt Sullivan in "Hooters" chase down Charlotte Henly-Smith and James Bloomfield in "Liquor in Public" - 2016-17 Ronstan Cherub NSW State Championships Round Two © Carol Stephenson

Nathan and Connor McNamara enjoyed the shifty condition on Sunday. - 2016-17 Ronstan Cherub NSW State Championships Round Two © Carol Stephenson

Overall Results: