Wireless Communications International 505 World Championship at Adelaide Sailing Club Day 4

by Jordan Spencer 6 Jan 19:26 GMT 2-7 January 2025

Nathan Batchelor & Sam Pascoe on Wireless Communications International 505 World Championships Day 4 © Christophe Favreau

Conditions for day 4 of the Wireless Communications International 505 World Championships were windy. The forecast was for 20-25kn South East -South Freshening to 30 knots late in the day.

We expected the strongest part of the breeze to be further offshore. And for the most part, that was the case, however, the strong wind pushing against an outgoing tide, led to very lumpy and challenging conditions on the water.

In the trough of a wave on Wireless Communications International 505 World Championships Day 4 - - photo © Christophe Favreau

Race 6 started with the wind at 175, the course length was 1.4nm. The first start was abandoned after a large shift. There were two separate wind lines across the course, with the wind at the top mark 150 and at the bottom 200. The course was moved further out to sea and set again at 175. The fleet started in plenty of wind, 18-20kn+. Most of the fleet started mid gate in right phase pressure. The pathfinder and a couple of friends headed right. The leaders emerged from the early mid line, tacking to port on a big left shift. Initially Chris Nicholson and Charlie Wyatt looked good, but Peter Nicholas and Luke Payne went further gaining a big lead ahead of a chasing group of 6 boats. Pete and Luke looked untroubled until most of the way up the second beat when they seemed to have an issue. They still lead at the second top mark, but were passed by several boats on the run. Nicho and Charlie breaking through with their first win, followed by Nic Baird and Eric Anderson and Jan Saugmann, and Camel Johnston.

Peter Nicholas & Luke Payne on Wireless Communications International 505 World Championships Day 4 - photo © Christophe Favreau

Race 7 started in slightly lighter winds, maybe 15-20kn with the top mark at 165. Length was again 1.4nm. The fleet was evenly spread across the gate. The early starters again seemed to gain the advantage, particularly those that went in deep to the left corner, as they found a big left shift. Nic Baird and Eric Anderson led around the top mark, chased by Nicholas and Payne, plus a fleet of boats. The breeze picked up on the second beat and Baird and Anderson extended their lead. Again, near the top of the beat there was a big left shift, which closed the fleet on that side of the course down on the leader slightly. The final run was a challenge, gybing in big winds and flat water loading up the boats and challenging rudders. Howie Hamlin and Andy Zinn who had charged through upwind to gain second capsized, Nathan Batchelor and Sam Pascoe who were in fourth broke their rudder. The action behind left the leaders untroubled. Post race, Baird and Anderson said the conditions were a lot like what they sailed in at home, just a little lighter winds, and the water was warmer. Second was Nicholas and Payne, with third being Chris Nicholson and Charlie Wyatt.

The strong performances of Nicholson/Wyatt and Baird/Anderson on the day saw them jump up the leaderboard. But the overall lead is still held by Nicholas and Payne. They have a 6 point gap on locals Sandy Higgins and Paul Marsh. The challenging conditions led to many retirements yesterday, much of it because of broken gear. The wind is supposed to abate tomorrow, but there is still plenty shaking the trees late at night as this report is being written. Tomorrow is our final day.

Full results can be found here.

Thank you to our major sponsors: