2019 International WASZP Games - Day 3
by Marc Ablett 25 Jan 2019 19:02 NZDT
22-28 January 2019
What an unbelievable day of WASZP racing, the most intense and competitive day on the water we have seen so far in the 2 years since the boat was launched.
Due to racing being cancelled on Day 2, the back end low pressure system created a very puffy 20knot southerly. Unfortunately it claimed a few scalps on the way to the startline with series leader Tom Trotman having an issue and return to shore, he was quickly back out on the race course however, with great help from the shore team.
The day was a case of snakes and ladders with the one-design nature of the boats coming through, positions 1-10 were shuffling all the time, with many competitors making huge gains and losses. Former Laser radial WORLD CHAMPION Tristan Brown had the most consistent day with a 2,2,1 sky rocketing him up the leaderboard. Bruce Curson from New Zealand was also loving the fresh conditions, scoring a 4,1,2.
It has blown the leaderboard wide open, with the exception of Rory Hunters consistency and being able to drop an 18th. 2nd through to 6th are separated by just 6 points and with everyone pushing the limits it created some absolute mayhem at bottom mark rounding's and finishes. Sometime there were 10-15 boats arriving at a gate at the one time, however if one boat made a mistake it caused a domino effect, with the puffy conditions causing big angle changes there were many close port and starboard clashes.
The closest came at the finish of race 6 when Pierre Leboucher crossed in front of Norwegian Sivert With-Svane and the pair just missed contact by millimetres. All the action is featured in the highlights video thanks to Hartas Productions and Photography by Drew Malcolm.
Results so far can be found here.