Australian B14 National championships Day 2 - “Weight Doesn’t Matter”

Sailors were greeted with rather un-Sydney like cool southerly and sub 20o degree temperatures. Racing got underway at 1400hrs in 8-15knots (apparently). The days racing had multiple winners showing a great quality of the competition.

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The first race went to the local crew Richie and Lisa sailing in The Nude after some tight competition from Guy and Lachie sailing OMFTB and Andre and Craig sailing Octopussy. Steve Miller and Lauren Bird sailing Phantom were absent after their rudder pin sheared off on the way to the start line.

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OMFTB approaching the top mark with The Nude and Rocket Ship in close persuit

Race 4 demonstrated to the fleet that weight doesn’t matter (poms take note) as the Tasmanian crew of Cole and Clare sailing Cromarty Engineering took the win ahead of a weight conscious Guy Bancroft. Cole and Clare are still sporting the original alloy wings. The result was devastating for the Tassie crew of Robbie and Dave sailing The Hitcher who lead the entire race but lost out on the last lap following an intensive covering strategy of a split fleet.

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Cromarty Engineering off the line with pace

In race 5, newcomers to the class Rick Plain and Alice Walker sailing Bang Bang sailed a perfect race to secure the win from Guy and Lachie in OMFTB and Ritchie and Lisa in the Nude.

Overall OMTB currently leads the fleet on a tidy 6 points, 4 ahead of The Nude on 10. Octopussy rounds out the top three a further two points adrift. With the racing tight and leaders board varied anything could happen in the final three days of racing. Stay tuned for more updates as racing continues at 1400 hrs tomorrow. Results below.

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Tassie Boats keeping close together in the competition

Off the Water Shenanigans:

Rumours are going around the boat park suggesting that “All the cool kids” lift their rudders on the downwind to reduce drag. This new technique originated after one rather gullible Canberran took the conversation seriously after the Cole was marking lift heights on his centreboard and continued to suggest that he was going to begin marking his rudder to pull that up also. The response from the unnamed Canberran was “Shit, that’s what we have been doing wrong”. There is no doubt that in due course such rumours will spread across the seas to the remaining B14 sailors to ensure that the trend continues.

The Cromarty Engineering crew have had a massive recovery after snapping a wing yesterday and are looking hot to trot leading into day 3. Recovery techniques for Cole have included body slam massages from his crew Clare to ensure optimal performance leading into day three.

Part 1 of the Buggar the Bone extravaganza commenced after racing with the visiting UK expats coordinating a barn dance evening after a serving of steak sandwiches and a good soaking from “Friends of the Fridge”. Once the weather improves (over 25 degrees) round two of the Buggar the Bone Extravaganza will begin with a State of Origin style stand up paddle board competition between Tas, Vic, ACT, NSW and UK.

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Leaky leads the way with his mum in the barn dance.

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Photos thanks to Malcom McAully and Sophie Hunt