Light and flukey

Competitors faced challenging conditions on day two of the Steve Jarvin Motors Sydney International Regatta

The nine fleets racing at the Steve Jarvin Motors Sydney International Regatta started the second day of racing today, Sunday, after being held ashore while the race committees waited for the breeze to come in and settle. The fickle easterly wind made for a tough day on the water with each course having to change their course positions multiple times.

As the morning fleets headed out to the course the eight knot easterly called for some tactical sailing. During the course of the day the easterly breeze built to 15 knots with the afternoon session of racing having a fantastic day on the harbour.

Both local and international sailors displayed some great sailing which placed them in the top half of their respective fleets after reaching the half way point in the regatta.

The large laser fleet sailed three races today with Tom Slingsby performing well to progress to the front of the fleet. Slovenian laser sailor Vasilj Zvogar showed great form, manoevering himself into second position overall with Chilean Matais Del Solar remaining in touch with the leaders to round up the top three. Andrew Murdoch and fellow New Zealander Michael Bullot, and Canadian Michael Leigh are on equal points for fourth place and will be keen to set the challenge for tomorrow.

France’s Martin Gaveriaux continued to dominate the RS: X Board fleet with two more wins to add to his previous two, firmly placing him the lead with Australian Michael Lancey remaining in second. Allison Shreeve continues to lead the women from Alisha Kawalla and Belinda Stowell.

In the Yngling fleet, Olympian Nicky Bethwaite and her crew Karyn Gojnich and Angela Farrell again finished all races held today in first with Katie Spithill mirroring her day one results finishing in second.

The 49er class had a reversal in positioning today with the young team of Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin climbing to the front with two firsts and a second today. Closely behind them is previous 49er World Champion Chris Nicholson, sailing Euan McNichol, who had a great day with two seconds and a first result for the three races today.

Victorian Sarah Blanck sailed well today to finish fourth and third in the two Laser Radial races which helped her up to the front of the fleet while overnight leader, Mexican Tanya Elias – Calles Wolf, is now placed second. Krystal Weir has improved her overnight results to move from eighth to third.

Queenslanders Mathew Belcher and Nick Behrens continue to perform well in the 470 men’s class. Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page closed the gap on the leaders with the Swiss team of Tobias Etter and Felix Steiger completing the top three.

Germany’s Kathrin Kadelbach and Frederike Ziegelmayer lead the women’s 470 fleet from Alana Slingsby and Tessa Parkinson who are sailing under the Fremantle Sailing Club burgee.

“Competition in the Laser fleet has been great at this year’s Sydney International Regatta. Sydney Harbour has again provided great conditions that really challenge everyone” commented Tom Slingsby today.

The forecast for tomorrow is for a fine, mostly sunny day with light to moderate northwest to northeast winds fresh near the coast in the afternoon. Racing continues tomorrow with the regatta wrapping up on Tuesday.

Results:

Yngling
1-Nicky Bethwaite - 4
2-Katie Spithill - 8
3-Nicole Douglas - 14

470
1-Mathew Belcher and Nick Behrens - 6
2-Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page - 9
3-Tobias Etter and Felix Steiger - 10

49er
1-Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin - 7
2-Chris Nicholson and Euan McNichol - 11
3-Will Phillips and Jon Newman - 14

Laser
1-Tom Slingsby - 8
2-Vasilj Zbogar - 11
3-Matais Del Solar - 12

Laser Radial
1-Sarah Blanck - 10
2-Tania Elias-Calles Wolf - 16
3-Krystal Weir - 18

RS: X Boards
1-Martin Gaveriaux - 4
2-Michael Lancy - 10
3-Josh Nixon - 11