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HOGS BREATH Hobie Cat Nationals WA - January 2 - January 7, 2006
Nedlands Yacht Club - The Esplanade, Nedlands - Perth WA
Quick Links:
Day1 Day 2
Day 3 Day 4
Day 5
NATIONAL CROWNS STILL UP FOR GRABS
With the final day of the 2006 Hogs Breath Café Hobie Cat Nationals
being held at the Nedlands Yacht Club on the Swan River in Perth to
be sailed tomorrow, two National crowns are still to be decided.
After another easterly wind start to the day, the race committee
decided to wait for the predicted southwest winds, which did arrive
finally, but later than expected. Three heats were sailed today in 8
– 12 knots of wind that also had some Southerly swing in it later in
the day.
Victorian Ron McDonald has virtually guaranteed himself the Hobie 17
crown today with two wins out of three heats. McDonald and the
entire fleet except West Australian Barry Sanders sailed through the
finish line whilst the start boat was on station during racing in
heat two of the day, handing Sanders the win. McDonald really only
needs to turn up tomorrow to take the National crown home with him.
The same can’t be said for the Hobie 16 and Tiger fleet.
In the Hobie 16 fleet, locals Darren Smith and Natalie Hill secured
one win out of three heats today but New South Welshman Mick Butler
and Susan Etherington are storming home with the proverbial “wet
sail” with another two wins today and a third to move into second
place overall. Smith and Hill’s lead has extended to seven points
but one slip and the National crown could be gone. Another New South
Wales team, Brad Sumner and Belinda Walkom could of blown their
chances today with a twelfth in heat two of the day. Local sailor,
Cam Owen and Susan Ghent had a great day on the water with two
seconds and a ninth to make some ground on the leaders, but their
charge may have come to late.
The Hobie Tiger National crown will also be decided tomorrow after
today’s results. Former World Champion Steve Fields and Peter
Dubbelaar from New South Wales made up ground today on young
Victorians Lachy Gibson and Josh Furgill with two heat wins out of
the three heats sailed but the Victorian team steadied in the last
heat of the day to snatch a win to remain on top of the leader board
by two points. Two Victorian teams will also sail tomorrow to decide
third place. Michael Burdack and Craig Greenaway have a two-point
lead over Scott Lovig and Abdrew Zchimroski and will have to stay in
front to hold off their compatriots.
With a similar forecast tomorrow, up to four heats can still be
sailed, so the National crowns in the Hobie 16 and Tiger class are
poised to go down to the wire.
Full event details, webcam and results are available on the event
website
www.hobiecat.asn.au/nationals2006 .
January 7, 2006
Day 4 Report
After the layday yesterday, the breeze decided to come in from the
easterly direction again this morning so the waiting game started
again from 10.00am this morning.
The only morning action on the water was the Hog’s Breath Café power
skiff with Myles Wood and Worst News Hughes towing the biscuit
behind it for an hour or so. Stack of the day went to Emma and
Lucinda who went off together with both sets of legs over their
shoulders!!!! Great look girls!!
By the time the wind arrived in the mid-afternoon blowing in at 8 –
10 knots from the west, Hoops decided to go for it & squeezed in
three races for the afternoon / evening (getting back to shore after
6.00pm is not good as it eats into beer time – hence the “Tool of
the Day” award to Hoops!!).
In the 17 fleet, Ron McDonald continued his superior form with 2
wins for the day, but had a slip up in the second heat of the day
with all except Barry Sanders crossing the finish line during the
race, so copping a DSQ for heat 2 of the day. Ron just has to turn
up tomorrow to virtually guarantee himself the National crown.
The 16’s title still won’t be decided until tomorrow as the results
today still didn’t go the way Darren Smith & Natalie Hill wanted
them. Mick Butler & Susan Etherington continued their great form
from Wednesday and continue their charge at National crown with 2
heat wins, but Dazza & Nat stole the other heat to keep the
contenders at bay, but not far enough away to say the title is
theirs. Cam Owen & Susan Ghent had a great day with 2 seconds to
gain some ground but unfortunately a title may be asking too much
for them. Big Brad & small Belinda may have blown their chances with
a 12th in heat 2 of the day, but as always time will tell.
The good news for the backmarkers was that Big Al & Preeds were
finally able to secure the beer win for the day over their arch
rivals, the Davis twins. Tastes bloody good!!!
The Tiger crown won’t be decided until tomorrow either as Lachy &
Josh had to watch Steve & Peter sail past for 2 wins today. The
young Victorians were able to snatch a win in the last heat of the
day, but like the 16’s, will have to battle it out tomorrow to
secure the title. Michael Burdack & Craig Greenaway also had a
decent day today & have quietly slipped into 3rd position but have
Scott Lovig & Abdrew Zchimroski not far behind so they will have to
keep their form to hold Scott & Abdrew at bay.
So it all leads to the final day tomorrow. Wind predictions are the
similar to what we got today & remembering no starts after 3.30pm.
Stay tuned folks – it’s going to be a flash finish!!!
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