Monjon J24 Nationals at Sandringham Yacht Club - Day 3
by Simon Grain 7 Jan 10:50 GMT
4-7 January 2018
Race 8 & 9 winners Hyperactive - 2018 Monjon J24 Nationals – Day 3 © Luis Ferreiro
Day three turned most things right around. Gone is the light to medium Southerly, in is the 42 degree 20 – 25 knot Northerly. Jibs for everyone and for the first time in years code flag Y – life jackets today!
Initially felt with some foreboding by some, the hot Northerly belted the fleet all day, but wasn't the boat and crew crusher some expected.
Kirsty Harris sailing 'Hyperactive' cleaned up the first two races with a very, very close win from Simon Grain in 'Jet' and Brendan Lee in 'By the Lee' in the first and a convincing win in the second from Hugo Ottaway in 'Bruschetta VI' and Ron Thomson in 'Kicking'.
A little further back, places 5-8 finished in line abreast with a spread of only 5 seconds (on the score sheet – I would have thought it was less than that), another example of the close racing the class is providing. Thanks Craig.
Race Ten was taken out in grand and exciting style by class National President Ron Thomson in 'Kicking', you can see that here.
Filling the minor placings in Race Ten were Brendan Lee and Simon Grain.
In any windy day there are things that just happen. Three people that I know of went into the water – but hung on to be pulled back on board. Steve Wright in 'Tinto' had his bowman and kite pole go over – the pole didn't come back!
Starting in the strong winds where you might expect things to get a bit more ragged, it was quite the opposite for most competitors (not all) with no U flag today. See videos and Craig Wiley's comments here:
Being a windy day Luis Ferreiro, our amazing sports photographer was out getting some great action pics.
Go to www.sportsnap.com.au/portfolio to see yourself in action. Here is a small selection from today.
So what happened on the result sheet. Well quite a few changes, sadly for John Neville, yesterday's regatta leader, a less than a glam day, resulting in a fall from first to third behind new leader Hugo Ottaway and in second place Simon Grain. Still wide open, the first six places cover only 10 points and tomorrow sees some serious work still to be done for the title of National Champion 2018.
For full results click here.
Time also to say what a fantastic job the whole race management team is doing. The racing has been handled brilliantly with fair startlines and a mix of course length and structure. The protest committee has been busy with a few meetings over the last few days. From us to you – well done, thanks Guys and Girls of the Sandy team.