Day 2- Racing at the Vectrix SB3 Nationals.

by Tom Rosoman on 27 Jan 2008 Australia Day brought the second days racing at the Vectrix SB3 Nationals. With three races, three different winners, one point separating the top two boats and the next three boats only a few points away the final days racing is set to be a real show down between the English and Australian crews.

Race Three: 4-7 Knots
The fleet basked in the sun until the wind finally filed in around 2pm. Jono Shelley made up for his mixed performance from day one by winning the first race by over one minute. Team PBR and the Home Team battled it out with the Home Team sneaking in to take second.

Race Three Top Five Positions: 1 GBR1, 2 Home Team, 3 PBR, 4 GBR2, 5 Sail McCrae

Race Four: 7-10 Knots
Just when it seemed the pecking order had been set, the fleet was mixed up in race four. The usual suspects were at the front of the fleet: Home Team, GBR1, GBR2, Sail McCrae and Oceanblue; but missing from the lead was current event leader PBR, finding themselves in the unusual position of following the fleet. That was until the last run when they hit a gust and went from zero to hero in one hundred yards to take the bullet, much to the disgust of several front runners who got caught in lighter airs.

Race Four Top Five Positions: 1 PBR, 2 Home Team, 3 OceanBlue, 4 GBR2, 5 Sail McCrae

Race Five:10-15 Knots
Confusion during the start sequence saw PBR sailing a different course to the rest of the fleet finishing last on the water. A redress appeal has been lodged and only time will tell if they will get average points. The lack of PBR at the front gifted the Home Team with the opportunity to catch up on the event leaders and they sailed an almost perfect race to cement their chances to ride away on the Scooter. GBR1, Sail McCrae and Oceanburo also relished the strong breeze finishing in this order.

For full race results and pictures please visit:
www.dartsailboats.com or http://www.topyachtsoftware.com/results/2008/sgw/series/index.htm