IOM National Championship at Montrose Bay Yacht Club - Day 2
by Rob Gavin 17 Feb 07:33 GMT
15-18 February 2018
2018 IOM ® National Championships - Day 2 © Rob Gavin
Hobart's extreme weather conditions that played havoc on Wednesday with the start of the International One Metre (IOM) Nationals at the Australian radio-controlled yacht championships eased somewhat yesterday.
Sailing from Montrose Bay Yacht Club, the most popular class of radio sailing, the IOM championships have 52 entrants from every Australian State, as well as New Zealand and the United States.
As the nor-westers moderated skippers switching from the smallest "C" rigs to "B" rigs at lunchtime, and remaining on that configuration for the remainder of the day.
After seven races the interstate champions are starting to assert their dominance with Paul Jones (NSW) in the lead on 21 points ahead of Sean Wallis and Ross Bennett, both from WA, tied on 25 points each.
Greg Torpy (Qld) and Scott Condie (NSW), each on 27 points, round out the close top five skippers battling it out to become the 2018 Australian IOM Champion.
Top Tasmanian skippers Lisa Blackwood (69 points), Rod Jackman (74 points), and John Cole-Cook (84 points) look off the pace for National honours, but are competing for local honours.
New Zealanders Philip Pryde (55) and Paul Johnson (64 points) are finding their feet and showing class as they close in on the leading group.
Competition was due to start today at 10.00 am, continuing through to 6.00 pm. Racing continues on Sunday until 1.00 pm.
Conditions are expected to remain windy today, but should moderate through Sunday.