Aussies warm up for Mirror Worlds at UK Nationals

10:35 PM Mon 27 Jul 2009 GMT

'Day 3 Hitting the Start line - 2009 UK Mirror Nationals' Anthony Galante Click Here to view large photo

Australian has sailed well in the 2009 UK Mirror Nationals as they prepare for the 2009 Worlds which start in Pwllheli, Wales. A fleet of 81 gathered for the warm up event with six Australian boats in the fleet. Day 1 welcomed the fleet with a two meter swell and 18-20 knots which presented a challenge for the competitors and sailors alike. The Australians revelled in the breeze, especially Paul Taylor and son Austin who finished second. 19 boats retired on the day and the fleet was taken off the water following an emergency with one of the British boats.

Day 2 provided a fresh breeze which again pleased the Australian boats. Liam Wilson and Jessica Stout scored a second in the first race of the day in their boat Amazing Albany and the Taylors mirrorworlds2011.com sailed into third in the last race of the day.

The Australian Team before the Opening Ceremony - 2009 UK Mirror Nationals - Anthony Galante Click Here to view large photo

Victorian Anita Scott-Murphy and nine year old son, Ben Cruise, the youngest sailor in the fleet hit their straps on day three scoring a 12th in the first race of the day in softer breeze. A 8-10 knot breeze proved difficult for the Australians as the British sailors revelled in the lighter conditions. Taylor managed a second in the first race of the day, however, got buried at the start in a couple of races and was not able to make in-roads into the fleet and slipped from second overall to eighth overall by the end of the heats. Wilson and Stout in Amazing Albany finished 12th and Scott-Murphy and Cruise were 21st. Other Australians were Lawson Taylor and Mitchell Sainty in 46th, Tom and Brittany Henderson in 47th and Rex and Andrew Henderson in 67th.