Wireless Communications 505 Pre-Worlds at Adelaide Sailing Club - Day 1
by Jordan Spencer 30 Dec 2024 15:33 PST
30-31 December 2024
505 Pre-Worlds Day One © Christophe Favreau
Day 1 of the pre-worlds, named in honour of the former great of the class and Australian Sailing, Sir James Hardy, commenced today in variable winds. Based at Adelaide Sailing Club, there were three races sailed.
The gradient breeze was a light S-S/Easterly. With the tide coming in from the start of racing, hopes existed for the South West sea breeze to kick in as the cold water came up the gulf. Unfortunately, the low cloud cover didn't burn off till the third race and it took until then for the wind to freshen.
Race 1 and 2 were sailed in 6-8 knots, with plenty off passing lanes created by pressure and direction changes. The lighter winds suited the lighter crews. But the first race saw complete mastery from sailing legend Howie Hamlin and his crew Andy Zinn. They sailed a perfect race holding of a flood of talent that kept changing as the snakes and ladders of the race rotated positions. Nathan Batchelor and Sam Pascoe finished second, with multiple World Champions Mike Holt and Carl Smit in third.
In Race 2, local sailing icon Malcolm Higgins sailing with his son Angus took the win. The Higgins name is as big as it gets in the South Australian sailing scene and the father/son combo's win was very popular. In all three races today Malcolm and Angus were the first boat out of the gate, (505s' start utilising a gate start) and it worked for them. In second was another South Australian sailing icon, Robbie Duessen celebrating his birthday with team mate David Snoad. Third were multiple World Champions Mike Martin and Adam Lowry.
Race 3, the wind started to freshen, increasing to 12 knots making sailing a lot more fun. The wind moved right to the seabreeze direction of 210, but interesting the heat winner made most of their gains on the left. This time the heat was won by Sandy Higgins, sailing with long time partner Paul Marsh. It was no easy win, as the pair were pushed all the way by Sandy's brother and nephew, Malcolm and Angus. Third were multiple World champions Mike Holt and Carl Smit. Mike and Carl were also the most consistent on the day and are leading overall by 1 point from Mal and Angus.
The James Hardy pre-worlds conclude today with hopefully three more races and then racing proper starts on Wednesday.
Results can be found here.