New Zealand has reclaimed the top positions at the end of racing on the third day of the National Championship. The Open fleet sailed four races today and are now half way through their series, and half to final selection for one of the five places in the NZ Worlds team. Leonard Takahashi-Fry of Murrays Bay BC had two bullets and a second placing to take a six point lead over Isaac McHardie of Hamilton, with Nathaniel Deverell of the Bay of Islands in third.
While Leonard is looking reasonably safe on eight points, the remaining top ten positions in the fleet are very close, we have two days of racing to go so expect to see some intense competition for the podium placings.
Conditions were sunny, the wind continued to come from the north east at a very pleasant 9 – 12 knots, and the sea state had a light chop. Temperatures were warm and it felt like summer had returned for the day.
With these lighter winds, the large Easter tide became a big factor in tactics for the sailors and for many sailors making the bottom mark was a real challenge. The Race Committee had their work cut out for them too – having to take into consideration the tide for mark laying, and keeping out of the shipping chanel on a day when there were a number of shipping movements, in fact one of the early races in the day had to be abandoned as the course encroached on the shipping lane.
In the Green fleet all sailors completed their course and finished racing in the early afternoon. The Tahitian sailors have taken the lead – Vaite Delvallet being ahead of Romain Vigneron on count back, with yesterday’s leader, Henry Gibbs of Queen Charlotte YC in third.
The last flight of the Open fleet came to shore in the late afternoon sunshine and we captured a few images as they came to shore.
Tomorrow the weather forecast is for the north easterly to continue up to 15 knots and possibly with rain coming through in the afternoon.
For full results in the Open and Green fleet go to the Results tab.
Go the the link to Ocean Photography or Supporter's Gallery on the main menu for more photos taken by roving cameras.
