Australian Laser National Championship - Choc tops and breakages

by Clare Murray on 30 Dec 2011 Australian Laser National Championship 2012 second day of racing, in Manly, was abandoned today after the third heat.

There were lots of breakages and choc top masts with wind building from 18 to 20knots at lunchtime to 25 to 30knots at 2pm with gusts recorded of up to 35knots.

Krystal Weir maintained first place overall in the radial fleet with a first place. Weir described the sailing conditions as carnage.

Tom Burton had a better day in the full rig with a first place followed by Ryan Palk in second.

'It was pretty tough and really windy. It wasn’t too bad going out to the race, at the start it was blowing about 25, but during the race it kicked up to 30 plus. It was pretty tricky racing.' Burton said.

'I was solid throughout the whole race. The guy in front of me made some mistakes which let me catch up and pass him. We were all going the same speed but it was the mistakes that let me win.'

Burton hopes yesterday’s sixth place will become one of his drops as the racing continues.

Ashley Brunning, who won both full rig heats on day one, suffered a setback when he broke his outhaul during the race.

Megan Darby continues to lead the 4.7 fleet after another heat win. Darby, who has only sailed in one event in the last three years (in the Tasar class), hasn’t been in a 4.7 since the Perth Nationals three years ago.

Darby is feeling competitive in the stronger breezes says she was a little uneasy in today’s wind.

'The waves were bigger than yesterday; you had to be really careful going downwind. I came close to tipping a few times.' Darby said. 'We’re starting a little earlier tomorrow so it might be a little bit lighter which will be interesting. As long as it stays windy I will be Event website