Race 3

After spending the day waiting for breeze the B14 fleet were rewarded with 18-22knots (gusting to 25) from 1800. Race 3 got underway at 1630 & the usual carnage ensued for this strength of breeze. Best off the start line was Matt Searle/Bell Bell (GBR725) at the boat end of the line and, after keeping tabs on the fleet who were all headed for shore on starboard tack, they rounded the first mark in the lead. The other UK team of Pank/Barber (GBR746) were close behind and Gosford boat, Teaz (AUS356) sailed by Peter Ray/Gareth Wells were chasing them. Searle/Bell were slow to drop their kite at the bottom mark allowing Pank/Barber & Ray/Wells through. Fells/Cunningham (GBR758) capsized at the bottom mark as did Hansen/Ellis (AUS362). The Bancroft team (AUS357) fought their way back into contention up the 2nd work and the next downwind leg saw Fells/Cunningham begin their move back to the leading group.

A feature of the race was the incoming tide which caused several boats to have near misses rounding the top mark & many left their gybe too late to come into the bottom gate. The Bancrofts & Fells/Cunningham capitalised on the mistakes of others to sail their way into 2nd & 3rd, behind Pank/Barber. Ray/Wells ditched it at the bottom mark the last time & subsequently slipped back to 8th place after a solid race in the top 3.

Race 3 places;

1. Snatch, Pank/Barber (GBR746) 2. Buggar the Bone, Guy & Rhys Bancroft (AUS357) 3. AT&T, Tim Fells & Dave Cunningham (GBR758) 4. The Nude, Richie Reynolds & Lissa McMillan (AUS368) 5. Sprint, Searle/Bell (GBR725) 6. Raymarine, Nils Jolliffe & Jon Branch (GBR728)