Title favourite leads Australian Sharpie Champs

by Di Pearson on 2 Jan 2005 Gary McLennan/Ben Solly/Stewart Rose sailing Bowling for Burgers (VIC) capitalised on their win of yesterday in the Australian Sharpie Championships winning Race 2 and finishing third in Race 3 today to continue his lead at the Sail Melbourne event.

Conducted by Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, winds were in the 15-20 knot range that veered from south-east to south-west throughout the day and organisers got two races away after having to abandon a heat two days ago.

While McLennan, from the host club, is favoured for the title, Jason Heritage/James Davis/Sam Heritage (SA) are giving him a good run and remain second placed on Gingerbread Man after two more second places today to be just one point behind the leader.

Alan Tidy/Kevin Tidy/Sean Lawson (WA) sailing Beer and Pizza remain third after a third and a fifth today.

Heat 3 was won by Geoffrey McCloud/Mark Beaumont/Sam Flint (SA) sailing Pig Out, putting them in fourth place overall.

The Sharpies have a seven race series for which will continue tomorrow on a 12-15 nautical mile windward-leeward-triangle course on Port Phillip.


Provisional top five places after three races:


1 Bowling For Burgers
(Gary McLennan/Ben Solly/Stewart Rose) 5.00 pts

2 Gingerbread Man
(Jason Heritage/James Davis/Sam Heritage) 6.00

3 Beer and Pizza
(Alan Tidy/Kevin Tidy/Shaun Lawson) 12.00

4 Pig Out
(Geoffrey McCloud/Mark Beaumont/Sam Flint 13.00

5 All Scoubed Out
(Malcolm Higgins/Andrew Chisholm/David Higgins)
25.00


For full results and information: www.sailmelbourne.com.au