The CYCA’s Evan Walker has come out swinging at the Australian Open Match Racing Championships, hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club on their Beneteau 7.5s, leading on points after the completion of round robin one in yesterday’s tough conditions.
With cold winds averaging 16-20 knots and gusting up to 26 knots from the north west, the six teams were asked to change down from a genoa to a smaller jib following the first flight. One more flight was sailed before the race committee instructed competitors that spinnakers were banned altogether, the ban lasting the remainder of the round robin.
The two CYCA teams, skippered by Walker and Tom Barker, took a little time to settle into their new crew combinations. In the unforgiving breeze and short, steep chop on Port Phillip Bay, strong crew work became essential.
Nick Deussen’s team from CYCSA decided to wash the top of their mast in a wild broach in the early flights, whilst other competitors also kept race officials busy with a few minor breakages. As the wind built in line with the forecast, and spinnakers were packed away for the day, tighter racing and more focus on tactics resulted.
Walker lost the first flight to the host club’s Michah Shuwalow but went on to win the next four, the closest against the RPAYC’s Katie Spithill, fresh from victory in the Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship on Tuesday.
Barker also enjoyed a strong first day, finishing with three wins to be third behind Spithill after round robin one.
As predicted by CYCA coach Jenni Bonnitcha, the teams haven’t returned to the water today with 40 knot W/NW winds blowing on the Bay. Strong winds are also forecast for tomorrow, Saturday, day three of the four-day grade 3 regatta.
The teams competing are:
• Cruising Yacht Club of Australia – Tom Barker
• Cruising Yacht Club of Australia – Evan Walker
• Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia – Nick Neussen
• Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club – Katie Spithill
• Sandringham Yacht Club – Michah Shuwalow
• Sandringham Yacht Club – Ben Strong
For full results go to www.syc.com.au/ – Lisa Ratcliff/Jenni Bonnitcha
