Australian Nationals resume on day 4 in testing conditions

After a day off due to torrential downpours, a window of opportunity opens for the race officers to squeeze a few races in.  Bob Griffits reports

Day 4 International A Class Catamaran Australian Championships.

 Racing resumed today on Lake Macquarie, after the disruption to the racing schedule, by strong winds, which had resulted in the cancellation of racing during the past two days.

The forecast had it that strong winds would once again force the cancellation for a third day, but the winds had significantly abated by early morning. This was somewhat surprising, as the winds were predicted to blow strongly for most of the day, and abate only in the latter part of the day.

A window of opportunity in the weather pattern enabled three races to be sailed today.

After six races, Steve Brewin has consolidated his position at the top of the leader board, finishing the day with one first place, and two-second places. He has now scored four firsts, and two-second places, for a total score of eight points.

Adam Beattie is placed second overall with 16 points, after finishing the day with a first, second, and a third.

Matt Homan sits in third place overall, on 23 points, following fourth, fifth, and six positions today.

The first race of the day started in patchy cloudy skies, with a breeze blowing out of the south at about 15 knots and gusting beyond. The breeze had built to about 19 knots by the end of the race. There were several boat capsizes, and a number of competitors abandoned the racing due breakdowns or body fatigue. With the top mark located close to the windward shore, the land topography funnelled through multiple wind bullets of variable intensity and direction.

Conditions meant that foiling downwind was still a reasonably controlled affair. The race was completed quite promptly after just two short windward return laps. The honours belonged to Adam Beattie, ahead of Brewin, with Stephen Brayshaw in third.

The winds had strengthened a little more by the start of the second race, and were once again punctuated by some fierce gusts. The retirement rate escalated, with broken gear, and some injured bodies. Jack Benson, who had been in third place overall leading into the day, was forced to retire during the second race due to injury.

Nathan Outteridge mastered the conditions and his boat to win the race from Brewin, with Beattie third.

The wind had built up to twenty (something) knots by the start of the third race of the day, and continued to increase during the race. Apparently as everyone had been working hard and were now feeling very fit, it seemed that a longer three lap windward return race was in order. This race became a test of skill, boat and gear strength, and body endurance. Brewin endured to win from Beattie, and Brayshaw once again third.

I believe that there had been some tentative plans to have some further racing in the afternoon, but this notion was quickly revised with the continuing wind speed escalation, which latter toped 30 knots.

One Exploder A13, exploded both beams after the end of the last race, and the dismembered pieces of boat, and rig were towed back to the club.

Nathan Outteridge spent several episodes separated completely from his boat during the racing, but he was safely retrieved.  (Do the sealed trampoline boats drift away faster when they are on their side)?

Tomorrow is the last day of the regatta. Winds are forecast to be in the vicinity of 10 knots, and the sun is speculated to return, but after the wild weather this week we will just have to see what turns up.