Melges 32 Australian Championship - Tiger Hunting down Hunn for title

by Heath Walters on 16 Mar 2014 Andrew Hunn Voodoo Chile leads the Melges 32 Australian Championships at the conclusion of day two’s racing on Sydney Harbour. Chris Way’s Easy Tiger III fought hard to remain within three points of Hunn followed closely by defending National Champion Greg Prescott 2 Unlimited a further two points behind.

The Middle Harbour Yacht Club PRO Phil Yeomans set the race course in a Light 10- 13 knot N-NE breeze, tacticians were working hard dealing with typical Saturday traffic on Sydney harbour, dodging ferries in addition to picking the wind shifts near North Head.

Today’s big movers in the Corinthian division were the Panther Crew, the seventy five years young skipper Stephen O’Rourke showed the young guys how to do it, finding their form with a solid third place result in race six. The crew work on Panther is a family effort, including son in law Burke, and grandson Justin. Steve commented 'I was very happy with the results, I’m racing without my good mate and tactician, Moth National Champion of 1969 Dave McKay (still celebrating that 1969 win)'. The Panther team are learning and building on their achievements, looking to peak at Hamilton Island race week later this year

Queensland boat Barry Cuneo Envy Scooters have performed consistently during the regatta. Barry is a strong supporter of the Royal Queensland Young Guns youth Program. The Envy Scooters Melges 32 team includes program members, 29er sailor Charlie Wyatt and Laser sailor Will Bates, along with Club Coach and mentor Adrian Finglas as tactician.

The fleet sponsored by Gottifredi Maffioli Ropes, Quantum Sails and Magic Marine will need to be on the ball for day three. The forecast is a light and fluky breeze swinging from the north to the south, south west. The fleet is compact after seven heats so it looks like the result drop will be key at the end of the day.

At the start of DAY 3 Phil Yeomans reports that AP over H hoisted for the Melges 32. Sydney has a large storm cell approaching. Lightning has just set off alarms at MHYC.