Nacra Nationals 2013 - Breeze and drama back on for Day 4

by Wes Bailey on 4 Jan 2013 The Nacra National Championship 2013 returned to its gusty nature on the fourth day of sailing with only two races completed in the afternoon as carnage and capsizes continued to mar the competition off the Hervey Bay Sailing Club.

Day four of sailing at the Nacra nationals saw the return of the strong wind conditions from earlier in the week. A single session of sailing was held in the afternoon, with two races completed. Gusts on the course got stronger and longer as the session wore on and the carnage and capsizes continued. Nine races have been sailed now and once ten races are sailed a second drop comes into play.

In the second race of the day for the F18s, a port-starboard incident between Mal Richardson and Adam Beattie resulted in Richardson protesting Beattie following a collision and the protest being upheld. Beattie was disqualified from the race. Leading into the final day of racing in the F18 Infusion class is Mick Guinea on 20 points with Dale Mitchell second on 23.5 points and Warren Guinea close behind on 24 points.

In the Nacra 5.8s, the return of the strong breezes saw the result tighten with Scott Sandilands and Shane Russell both on 19 points. Matt Caldwell and Bruce Potter are still placed third on 21 points.

Geoff Horsley still sits clear at the lead of the Nacra 16sq fleet on 17 points with Jared Potter still in second on 22 points. Corey Holden is in third on 33 points but is only two points clear of Mark Colecliffe in forth.

In the Nacra 4.5s Richard Cullum is on 10 points three points clear of Phil Robins in second. Karl Brazier has moved back into third on 29 points..

Friday morning’s final session of racing looks set to be windy. With results so tight in most divisions, the scene is set for an exciting day on the water.