6ty SB20 Tasmanian Championship 2021 - Day 1
by Jane Austin 31 Jan 2021 01:07 AEDT
30-31 January 2021
Defending champion Chris Dare has sailed Ambition into an almost unbeatable position in the 6ty degrees SB20 Tasmanian Championship.
Victorian Dare, sailing with his son Lachlan and international sailor Ben Lamb, won five from five races in the championship which is being sailed from Beauty Point for the first time.
Championship Race Officer, Peter Sluce, from the Port Dalrymple Yacht Club which is hosting the event, had almost perfect conditions to sail the fleet with a consistent 15 to 18 knots north to north westerly breeze, the order of the day.
Dare was happy with his performance and is enjoying sailing on the River.
"We sailed really consistently - the boat was going really quickly - we had to get ourselves out of trouble a few times, but that's always easier when you are going fast. We had a bit of tide to deal with and were able to work off the land a bit, but it's definitely a great place to sail," said Dare.
But Dare (five points) had to work hard today, keeping an eye on Rebellion (Stephen Catchpool) on 17 points, and Wedgewood (David Graney) and Karabos (Nick Rogers), both on 19 points.
SB20 National Champion Will Sargent (Taz Racing Team), is in fifth, losing his position in the fleet on two occasions with two untidy kite hoists, while Karabos took the top mark for a short ride in the final race of the day, which cost him places.
The day was not without excitement from the natural environment with a three metre tiger snake gracing the start line just before Race 4.
Lighter winds are forecast for tomorrow which will see a maximum of three races sailed.
Full results here.