AUS Nationals starts

Still smarting from their recent Cricket draw with England, the Aussie sailors prepare for their Nationals. John Dowling reports.

The Australian nationals start today at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron with a severely depleted fleet due to Covid. Only 28 boats equally split between Open and Classic will be on the start line in Moreton Bay at Brisbane. Several practice races were held yesterday in perfect 12-15 knots and small chop.

The Classics will see Landy testing the new Exploder shape hulls for the first time and the latest Landenberger sail. Initial thoughts are that the hulls might be a little less buoyant than the last generation and might suffer in bigger chop downwind. No fought Landy will have that sorted with technique soon. Ian Michie showed bursts of speed and will improve on his showing at the last Worlds. Andy Landenberger and Leon McNeil also showed speed.

In the Open fleet the usual practice race fixing went on. James Clarke will tell you he was fast and Stevie and Bundy will have to work hard to stay in front of Adam Beattie and Matty Homan on the Latest DNA F1x and Mischa sail.

The bullshit stops when the flag drops this morning. Photos showing the very clean deck layout of the new Exploder Classic.