Flying Fifteen Australian Nationals at Melbourne - Day 3

Day 3 of the Fifteen pre-worlds combining the Australian National Championship started in Port Philip Bay with race 4 in a 10 knot variable south-westerly breeze. Barry Parkin made no mistake this time and led from start to finish. Alan Bax was second with Grant Alderson of Australia third and Aaron Goodmanson from New Zealand fourth. Mike Hart and Steve Goacher finished tenth and eleventh.

For race 5 the wind strengthened. It paid to start on the left but there was a shift shortly after the start which favoured boats on the left. This was a day for the home hemisphere with a tussle between Grant Alderson and Aaron Goodmanson which Alderson won. Mike Hart and Richard Rigg were third with Steve Goacher and Phil Evans fourth. Barry Parkin was ninth.

There was a strong breeze and good swell so that the sailors enjoyed a spectacular run home on the surf.

Andy McKee and Maf Smith are dominating the Classic series with top 20 results!

With one day remaining the race is very close. If one race result from those completed is discarded Alderson, Hart and Parkin lead in that order with Bax and Goacher a little behind. It’s all to play for tomorrow. Strong winds are forecast.

The local hospitality is proving to be first class. While the UK suffers a big freeze some of the visiting competitors are complaining of sunburn – it’s tough at the top.