Audi Winter Series R8 - Chilly and tactical

'Broomstick played host to a Canadian film crew from World of Wonders TV while racing' Peter Andrews

With winter now officially here and Race 8 being conducted on the first day of winter, a fleet of 152 yachts took to the water amidst dark clouds and a chilly light wind.

As the start time drew nearer, the sun started to poke through the clouds, and light west to sou-west breeze provided sufficient wind to commence the race. A full course was sailed but yet again light breezes ensured that crew work, good communication and tactical racing were needed.

The crew aboard Broomstick played host to a Canadian film crew from World of Wonders TV (WOW). Having spent Saturday with the Youth Sailing Academy at the Kellett Shield, today provided the WOW crew an opportunity to showcase just how diverse sailing can be - from the YSA Elliott 6s to the larger yachts of Division A.

Division A, Vanguard - Andrea Francolini&copy Photo

The winner in Division A was Vanguard (Dick Cawse), closely followed by Quest (Bob Steel) second and You're Hired third (Geoff Morgan & Andrew Banks.)

In Division E, the Flying Tiger 10s are having great success in this Division achieving a second and third place. First placed was Matthew Fisher's Greengate (which is a Magic 25) , followed by Neil Hamilton and Brian Wood's Balmain Tiger in second and Bruce and Neil Tavener's Ophir in third.

Michelle Warner, a trim on board Balmain Tiger said 'It was a great race today. These wind conditions are perfect for the Flying Tiger 10s. Balmain Tiger is such a fun boat to sail on especially in the Audi Winter Series when there are light conditions.'

In Division H, Paul O'Connell's Katinka took out first place - Paul O'Connell_-_http:--www.katinka.com.au

In Division H, Paul O'Connell's Katinka took out first place, with Robert Breit's Shemozzle second and Leon Ratner's Jagged Edge third.

Commenting on his first place, Paul O'Connell said 'Our six regular crew were all onboard today, and the crew work was exceptional. We changed our minds five minutes before the start of the race as to how we were going to work through the course and we ended up starting closer to Point Piper than to Shark Island. We were well positioned at every mark, which ultimately put us in first place.'

Other division winners were Tim Casey's St Hillers Quest (Division B), Gerard Kesby's Nocturne (Division C), Peter Sorensen's The Philosopher's Club (Division D), Rob McConchie and Brad Allen's Wave Dancer (Division F), Terry Rhodes and David Nevell's Wild Blue Yonder (Division G), Mark Durran's Cocomo (Division J), Brett Hart's Viking (Division K), and Geoff Masters and John McCuaig's Contentious Issue (Sydney 38's).