Musto Skiff 2015 Australian Nationals at Mounts Bay Sailing Club - Day 1

Jon Newman taking the gun on the last race of day 1 at the Musto Skiff 2015 Australian Nationals © Steve Schneider

Fantastic weather, flat water and wind building up during the day. That where the ingredients for a fantastic first day out on the water. There were a lot capsizes but also a lot of flying downwind moments for the guys.

Today was the first day of the Australian Nationals, the warm up for the Worlds starting on Monday. You could say it's a training for the guys, but they we're all very serious about it. It was a good day starting with about 15 knots of wind and the wind was building up to about 20 knots gusting 25 sometimes.

Tom Conway the first European guy in the results on the end of the day said: "I haven't been out a lot because my family is here as well. So the first time I put up the kite I capsized straight away. But during the races it went pretty well. I'm really happy with the results, hope it stays like this"

There were about 30 boats on the start line for the first start. Thor Schoenhof one of the organizing guys was first at the downwind mark. While the wind was building up during the race Richie Robertson was fast and managed to make a win on the first race. Followed by Thor and Paul Dijkstra, but they didn't go through the finish line so John Newman and Marcus Hamilton took the second and third positions.

The second race was a bit harder at the start. First there was a general recall cause a couple of guys where over the line. The second time a ferry boat called the Captain Stirling want across the start line as well so the race officer decided to abandon the race. The 3rd time it went well, only one individual recall. Thor blitzed away from the start line again and he managed to stay in first position the hole race. Consistent John Newman came 2nd again and Denis Jones battled out with Marcus Hamilton and Richie to take the 3rd place.

Current National Champion John Newman took the lead in the 3rd and last race. Followed by the Australians Richie and Denis.

James Lewis did a fantastic capsize and fell over a gate buoy. The spinnaker was still going on. I think that's one of the most spectacular wipeouts I've ever seen.

James Lewis salute on day 1 of the Musto Skiff 2015 Australian Nationals - photo © Steve Schneider

Results after Day 1:

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