Sail Port Stephens Day 6 - Trophy series continues for record fleet

by Sail Port Stephens Media on 21 Apr 2012 So far Sail Port Stephens 2012 has been a light wind sailing event, with the rain earlier in the week shutting the wind down. Today there is quite a divergence between the weather models.

One of them is suggesting the north easterly sea breeze will come in early, reaching 15 knots offshore around midday and building possibly up to 25 knots.

However another model paints a much less exciting picture – with some soft rain and light and variable winds for most of the day and that’s no fun.

Time will tell but the quicker the sun appears and the cloud layer burns off the better it will be.

The NSW IRC Championships will continue offshore with three very high quality divisions scheduled to sail two windward leeward races (usually two up and back legs) with the first warning signal at 1125am. Yesterday the fleet raced on a course area north of Cabbage Tree Island and they will be there again today.

The hot fleet in the Performance Racing Divisions 1 and 2 will be sailing windward leewards on Salamander Bay, they will sail up to three races with first warning scheduled for 1055am.

The Performance Cruising fleet will be starting off the d’Albora Marina wall at the same time. They are expected to sail a passage course exploring the western end of Port Stephens. With the ocean swell gradually moderating, they are likely to be offshore tomorrow.

The Elliott 7 Sports boats Australian Championship continues today with three windward leewards scheduled, also with a 1055am warning signal.

News, results and photos at www.sailportstephens.com.au