Australian Nationals start well for Brewin.
After a windless rainy day resulted in a practice race cancellation, the Australian Nationals Day 1 get underway in a decent breeze at South Lake Macquarie, NSW. 3 Bullets for Stevie Brewin on his Exploder.
Bob Griffiths reports on day 1
Sailing finally commenced today in the Australian National Championships on Lake Macquarie. The weather person had suggested that an 18 to 20 knot easterly breeze would blow across the sailing course for the whole day, but today’s data confirmed that weather prediction still remains an inexact science.
We had quite torrential rain, which successfully killed off any wind, and made the rigging up process somewhat unpleasant. For 2 hours, the most exciting thing was watching the AP being raised and lowered in synchrony with the cloudbursts that came and went across the water.
After a two-hour delay, the first race commenced, with a gentle wind blowing in from the NNE. The Race Committee was determined to try and start three races in the day, and the first one was a short length, two lap affair. The wind picked up as the race progressed, and clocked a little into the North East. The flat waters of the lake combined with the new wind afforded excellent foiling conditions, and the race was completed rapid time.
Steve Brewin recorded the first of his three wins for the day. He has put an enormous effort into boat development and training over the past few months and his efforts have clearly paid. For the record, Steve is sailing an Exploder 15 platform, a Fiberfoam mast, a Brewin deck sweeping sail, a sealed trampoline, with the latest generation Exploder rudder (a “T “ foil), and a Z 10 centreboards. Brewin is one of Jakob’s test pilots. He likes to sail boom less.
David Brewer, from Victoria, was second, and Jack Benson from Darwin was third.
Races Two and Three were sailed in northeast weather system wind of about 12 knots, plus 3 in the gusts’ and minus 5 in the lulls. The wind was still patchy, and there were some significant oscillations. Water and sky were grey, but water and air temperature remained pleasantly warm.
Steve Brewin was the model of consistency, to win both Race2, and 3. David Brewin recorded another second in Race 2, and a seventh in Race Three.
Nathan Outteridge was quickly reacquainting himself with an A Cat to finish third in Race 2, and fifth in Race Three. He is likely to become a stronger force as the series progresses. Darren Bundock was second to Steve in Race Three, and Queensland’s Adam Beattie was third.
At the end of Day one, the top five positions overall were as follows:
- Steve Brewin: 1,1,1. (3 points)
- David Brewer: 2,2,7. (11 points).
- Darren Bundock: 5,5,2 (12 points).
- Jack Benson: 3,6, 4 (13 points).
- Matt Homan: 4,4, 6 (14 points).
Nathan Outteridge is sitting sixth overall. Unfortunately James Spithill was unable to sail today.
All of the leading boats used the deck sweeping mainsails, and this feature is likely to become the new gold standard. Steve Brewin’s performance today in both light and moderate conditions strongly suggested that we no longer need a boom.
The forecast tomorrow is for 20 to 23 knot winds, and truck loads of rain. The proposed twelve race series should afford plenty of fine sailing. The sun is due to reappear on Thursday.
Photo - Team SLMASC
