Champagne sailing - Day 1 Vectrix SB3 Nationals
by Tom Rosoman on 26 Jan 2008
Day One Leaders from Vectrix SB3 Nationals. Tom Rosoman
Champagne sailing conditions for Day one of the Vectrix SB3 Nationals
The first days racing at the inaugural Vectrix SB3 National championships lived up to all the hype during the last few months. A quality fleet, with top international crews battling it out against crews from Melbourne, Hobart and Queensland.The British sailors have arrived with serious intentions to drive away on the Vectrix Scooter and have the advantage of more time in the boat, this however was not evident from the two event favorites GBR 1 and GB2.
Race One was sailed in 4-7 knots and was always going to be interesting as this was the first time many of these sailors had lined up against each other. The race was lead from start to finish by team PBR, skippered at the last minute by Leigh McMillian. Second place was local boy Brendan Garner and Third Wagop, skipper by Mike Mclean. The surprise from race one was the two pre regatta favorites, 2 times runner up at Skandia Cowes week Jono Shelly being OCS and the other British Team skippered by Andy Hazell DNF.
Top Five Results Race One:
1 PBR, 2 Home Team, 3 Wagop, 4 Oceanblue, 5 Tasqua Youth
Race 2 saw around 9 – 13 knots of breeze and the boats one design nature resulted in one of the closest finishes seen in Keelboat racing for some time. Team PBR, GBR1 and 2 and Brendan Garner all finished within two seconds of each other, highlighting the caliber of the sailors competing. On returning to shore race winner McMillian said “Every second counted in that one, and we really didn’t know who had one!”
With three races forecast for tomorrow the early favourite is now McMillian, his performance will be easy to measure as event leader he will carry the black Vectrix kite. However with so little separating the fleet it’s all to play for.
Talk in the bar from sailors to climb the ranks tomorrow are: Guy Bancroft (Sail Mcrae), Mark Dagge (OceanBlue) and Kai Timm.
Race Two Top Five Poisitons:
1 PBR, 2 GBR1, 3 GBR2, 4 Home Team, 5 Sail McCrae
For Full Race results and pictures please visit:www.dartsailboats.com or http://www.topyachtsoftware.com/results/2008/sgw/series/index.htm
For more information please contact Tom Rosoman (Dart Sailboats) -
info(at)dartsailboats.com
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