Victorian Etchells and 9er Championship at Royal Geelong Yacht Club - Day 2

Matt Kirby, Tim Clark and Tony McKenzie for Moe Szyslak Experience enjoying some more water time © Alex McKinnon Photography

The second day of racing at the Etchells 2019 Victorian Championship, and the 2019 Victorian 9er Championship (comprising the 29er, 49erFX and 49ers), turned out to be much more than was expected. Kevin Wilson, the Principal Race Officer for the Etchells Fleet summed it up best by saying, Well, we had a bit on today. None of the weather models gave any indication of the impending wind strength that arrived this afternoon. Pre-start, the wind started building up to 12-16 knots, and by the time we were ready for our first start of the day, the wind was ranging from 18 to 26 knots, from an average of 250 degrees.

The first race got away at 1300hrs, and the Etchells fleet headed towards the weather mark, which was 1.5nm further up the track. Half way up the work, a dust cloud could be seen on the hill. The anemometer on the start boat still had the wind sitting around 1924 knots, which is still under the cut off limit for racing. Then there were then a few gusts of 26-27knots, but the Souwester buster that came through a little later was of up to 35 knots in its gusts.

Some of the fleet after rounding the top mark. - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

Should'a Gone Left skippered by Peter Coleman and his crew Ben Lamb and Ben Morrison-Jack making their way to the weather mark for the first time. - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

Most of the fleet had rounded the weather mark when the change reached them, and this caused a number of boats to breach under spinnaker. One boat temporarily had a crewmember in the water. He returned to the boat, and immediately joined his crew in bailing out their boat. Another boat had a crewmember injured. He was taken to hospital, and is now receiving the best of medical care. All our thoughts are with him and his crew.

Odyssey from NSW skippered by Jill Connell, with crew Gordon Maguire and Wade Morgan - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

South Australian boat Fumanchu skippered by Mark Roberts and crewed by Chad Elsegood and Matthew Johnston, just ahead of Wicked skippered by Rodney Hagebols, which is crewed by Amanda Hagebols and James Hannah, all on their way to the top mark - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

Kevin Wilson decided to shorten the race as the fleet approached the leeward mark for the first time. AP over H was hoisted, thereby telling all boats to go home after the finish. Racing was then subsequently cancelled for remainder of the day.

There were only 13 out of the 26 boats that started finished the race. Magpie, skippered by Graeme Taylor, with his crew of Richie Allanson and James Mayo, took first place by just one second. Taylor said later, Beautiful conditions for us today out there, and yes, a bit windy. Everyone will have some amazing stories. Calling off the race at the leeward mark was a good thing. Glad I am not the Race Committee, as its hard to keep everyone happy.

The kite keeping Voodoo Spirit very busy. Skippered by Guyon Wilson and crewed by Ben Ramage and Frank Bucek - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

Smoking Gun - skippered by Nick Gunner and crewed by Bruce Shand, and Simon Gunner - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

Second today was Tango, which is skippered by Chris Hampton with his crew of Charlie Cumbley, and Sam Haines. In third place was Triad 2, which is skippered by John Bertrand with crew Billy Browne, and Glenn Ashby. At this stage, Magpie is leading the series by just the one point over Tango. A further eight points astern in third place overall is Jean-Claude Strongs 1435, which has Tom Slingsby, Marcus Burke and Kate Devereux crewing on board. So yes, as always, there is no shortage of names out amongst the Etchells fleet.

After three races the Etchells have a series, but with one more race tomorrow everyone will have a drop, and so the leader board could well see some changes. Three races are scheduled for the Etchells tomorrow (one more than in the Sailing Instructions), which will make a full series, and the start has been moved forward to 1000hrs. A full list of results can be found at here

The crew on The Moe Szyslak Experience had a very wet day. - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

Delilah skippered by Jamiee Wall and Luca Vuat from SYC having a good wash - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

The 9er fleet had slightly different start to their day. Their racing was scheduled to get under way at 1000hrs, but instead they were held back ashore under the Answering Pennant, as everyone waited for the breeze to come in. The 49ers first race got under way at 1200hrs in about 1315 knots, and this continued to build throughout the first race, reaching 1620 knots by the end. They ran on an axis of 250 degrees.

The 49ers managed to get two races in today. The length of the second race was extended from 1 NM to 1.1NM as they finished the first race in only 24 to 25 minutes. When they started the second race the wind was about 18 knots. It kept on building and was in the 20s by the time they reached the top mark for the first time. On the second beat the wind started to reach the mid 20s with a top gust reading of 34 knots.

Yeah Baby Skippered by Oscar Henderson and crewed by Patrick Distefano working hard with the kite. - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

Brothers Sam and Will Phillips took out both races. This gives them a three point lead over the local boat, Sic Em Rex, which is skippered by Oliver Manton and crewed by Jack Lloyd.

The top end of the 29er fleet, which started at 1205hrs, was having a ball, whilst the others were finding it more challenging. The 29ers only got the one race in today, before being sent back to shore with the increase in wind pressure.

HH skippered by Oscar O'Donoghue and crewed by Rupert Hamilton on the way to the finish for a win in the first race of the day - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography

There was only a report of a broken mast. Their race was won by HH, which is skippered by Oscar ODonoghue, and crewed by Rupert Hamilton. They have come over from Tasmania to compete this weekend. Hamilton said, We are enjoying our racing here, and looking forward to tomorrows action. Second was Foamfast from the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, and this boat is skippered by Ethan Hosking.

The 9ers have 12 races for a full series, and already have one drop included. Four more are slated for tomorrow, as per their Sailing Instructions.

Results after Day 2:

GB skippered by Hayden Brown and crewed by Mackenzie Bird on the way to the finish for the first race of the day - photo © Alex McKinnon Photography