IOM National Championship at Montrose Bay Yacht Club - Day 3
by Rob Gavin 18 Feb 06:37 GMT
15-18 February 2018
An engrossing day three of sailing in the Australian championship for the I0M radio controlled yachts has ended with the top three skippers neck and neck – Ross Bennett (WA), Paul Jones (NSW) and Scott Condie (NSW) all finishing on 45 points.
Sean Wallis (WA) is still in the hunt with 48 points, but Greg Torpy (Qld) is starting to lose touch on 75.2 points.
The day was sailed on mostly B Rigs, but strong winds accompanied a change in the late afternoon and, as a result, the shore-based skippers changed down to C Rigs.
Montrose Bay Yacht Club and the Risdon Radio Controlled Yacht Club are jointly hosting the nationals in which 52 IOM (International One Metre) boats have been entered, including boats from the USA and New Zealand.
"It was fascinating to see the tactics as skippers worked out how to best tackle the twin test of strong and variable winds, and a rising swell being blown in with them,"" event spokesman Rob Gavin said today.
The New Zealand challenge, which started to pick up momentum on day two, faltered on day three. Paul Johnson, on 109 points, is in sixth place and Philip Pryde could not find any luck at all.
Lisa Blackwood still leads the Tasmanian skippers with Rod Jackman challenging her for local honours.
A fascinating day of sailing on the River Derwent will round out the championships on Sunday, commencing 10.00 am with spectators welcome.