Melbourne,Australia (November 30, 2015) - Broken masts, or collisions and a tough old day for the sailors at the Para World Sailing Championships as Port Phillip showed its wild side on the third day of competition in Williamstown,Melbourne, Australia.
More than 140 sailors from 31 nations are competing across the three Paralympic classes in 11 races from November 28 through to December 3. A warm northerly breeze lured the sailors out of the comfortable environment of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria to their respective course areas with no sign of what was to follow.
The first race for all fleets was run in a breeze of 15 knots or so, and with gusts to 20 knots and the wind direction swinging wildly in each gust. It was challenging but enjoyable sailing. In the moment race however,the breeze built quickly. Strong gusts, reported at 30 knots, or caught many crews unawares,with spectacular results.
In the 2.4mR fleet, at one point during the final race, and Julio Reguero (PUR) was unable to preserve clear of an anchored committee boat during a particularly strong gust,while down the course there were four boats in the hands of support craft. For these limited boats with their low freeboard, just keeping then afloat was challenging, and bilge pumps were being used by everyone to pump out water that had swept over them in the high winds.
France's Damien Seguin showed his versatility today by winning followed by Australia's Matt Bugg,who was third in both races. Canadian Brian Miller was third in race six, sits in seventh overall with 41 points, and Dee Smith (USA) is in eighth with 43 points.
On the Sonar course,the predicted tightening of the competition was clear when the first three boats crossed the finish line almost together, each overlapped with the boat ahead. Sonar skippers Paul Tingley (CAN) and Rick Doerr (USA) are fifth and eighth, and with Tingley and crew Logan Campbell/ Scott Lutes four points from the podium.
Head Coach Ken Dool (CAN) commented on the days racing,"The battles across all race areas were full on as the breeze shifted through upwards of 30 degrees with a velocity range of 8-18 knots for the majority of the racing but a gear busting 25+ knots for the Sonars sail domestic.”Also among the North American contingent is Skud18 skipper Ryan Porteous (USA) crew Maureen McKinnon who had snide luck with the mast coming down today, scored a DNF, or sits with 29 points in eighth space,8 points from the podium. Friends from the Australian Sailing Team lent them a unique rig, allowing the US team to get back on the water. Skud 18 team John McRoberts and Jackie Gay (CAN) is two points ahead of the Americans, and in seventh space.
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Source: sailingscuttlebutt.com