|
David Clark, Andrew Smith and Mike Hughes sailing Fifteen from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron took the bullet in race one of the Audi Etchells Queensland Championship on Moreton Bay yesterday.
A fleet of 35 Etchells took to the start line for day one of the Queensland Championship with all crews dealing with light oscillating breeze and strong tide in what could be a preview to the Australian Championship in January.
“The conditions were tough! I have never sailed on Moreton Bay before but it would seem the rumors are true. It’s a hard place to sail, challenging, tough, and you have to think!” David Clark said after the race.
“We had to change modes all the time to keep up with the velocity changes in the breeze, and managed to pull off a win which we are really happy about,” he added. “This puts us in a positive frame of mind for the rest of the regatta now”.
Originally from New Zealand, Clark raced with the Kiwi team in the 1987 Americas Cup and then with the Australians in 1992 after gaining dual citizenship.
Bowman Mike Hughes, and Clark campaigned for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in the Soling and although missing out on a team position, have continued racing together in Etchells.
Middle man Andrew Smith and Clark have been racing Etchells together “for years”. “We make a great team, we have an awesome time racing together whether we win or lose,” said Clark.
Race 2 saw the breeze decrease in strength considerably making conditions tough for the fleet. The high humidity caused havoc amongst the crews with most requiring more water to get them through the hot and sticky conditions.
Brisbane Fleet members, Racer XY, sailed by Jason Muir, Matt Chew, Paul Wyatt and Adrian Finglas used their local knowledge to cross the line in first position for the second race.
“It was really shifty out there and if you weren’t at the port end of the line at the start you were basically out the back door due to the massive shift at the start,” said Muir.
Racing continues today with two heats scheduled. – Suellen Hurley/Peter Campbell
Close Window »
|
