Sail Brisbane at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron - Day 2

by Suellen Hurling 29 Nov 2008 06:42 GMT 27-30 November 2008

Day Two of Sail Brisbane saw intense conditions with winds gusting to 29 knots for the SB3s on the Eastern course and up to 26 on both the Northern and Southern courses. The wind and sea conditions resulted in torn sails, broken masts, a cartwheeling Sabot, many “Moreton Bay Choc Tops” but fortunately no broken bones. The gusty and oscillating conditions saw survival skills as sailors dealt with short sharp waves.

The Laser Standard, Radial and 4.7 fleets who are racing at the Northern end of Waterloo Bay managed to brave the conditions. The top two places in the Standard have changed with Matt Coutts of New Zealand now leading after three wins yesterday. Matias Del Solar from Chili has slipped into second with Spanish sailor Javier Hernandez just one point behind in third.

Laser sailor, Greg Adams who played with the idea of retiring from the regatta due to a back injury decided to fight through the pain and continue racing. His dedication and determination now sees him leading the Laser Radial fleet just ahead of current ISAF Youth World Champion Gabrielle King.

In the 420 fleet local sailors Rhys Collins and Andrew Gough are now on equal points with fellow team members Sean Ott and Adam Lahey after racing to a third and first in yesterday’s races. NSW competitors Byron White and Jay Griffin continue to lead the way on eight points.

The results in the Sabot fleet have changed dramatically overnight with Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron local Lewis Brake and Brisbane Sailing Squadron’s Aidan Geek on equal points and leading the way. The leading Sabot and Optimist sailors showed considerable consistency in changing conditions.

Race 5 on the Southern Course was postponed due to the increasing conditions resulting in an earlier race for those fleets today. The Optimists, Sabots, 420s, 470s, 29ers and 125s will head out to their course area an hour earlier than originally scheduled.

The Hobie 16 fleet join Sail Brisbane today and will see 13 strong fleet attempt to sail five races today.

Shifty North/West winds are predicted today ranging from 25 to 35 knots ahead of thundery rain this afternoon. Not typical Queensland weather for this time of year and the Sail Brisbane regatta.

Click here for full results and here for more day two photos.