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7:48 PM Sun 4 Jan 2009 GMT
Heat 6: Long time rivals and good friends Anthony Anderson of Victoria and Brad Devine of WA are locked in a close points tussle for the Australian Championship in the International 14ft class on the Swan River.
Anderson and his 101kg, 6'4" crew Phil Chadwick sailed their boat Ray & the Crazy 88s to an 11 second victory today over defending champion Brad Devine and crew crew Ian Furlong in Royston Vasey.
Today's race was a welcome respite from yesterday's visit by the Fremantle Doctor and its 25knots plus bullets with the fleet enjoying a 12-18 knot sou'west seabreeze.
"That was the best race we have had," Anderson said. "We got a good start with good clear air, good speed and good height.
"We recalibrated the rudder foils and it made a positive difference to the boat. The change is only small, a degree or two in the angle of attack but it makes a difference.
"Previously we have been a little too aggressive with the foil angle."
Anderson is like virtually the entire I14 fleet and carries adjustable horizontal foils fitted within 300mm of the water level down the rudder blade. The foils provide lift upwind, which translates to increased speed and higher angles of sailing, while downwind the foils can be adjusted to lift the bow which reduces the chance of nosediving under the big kites.
"Today was good but Brad has too much of a break (on the points table)," said Anderson.
Devine finished third today about 30 seconds behind second placed Archie Massey in George 1st, who is the current World Champion.
In tomorrow's final heat the championship is wide open for three skippers in Anderson, Devine and Massey, with Victoria's consistent Mark Kristic chasing hard.
South Australia's David Hayter and crew Matt Low finished fifth today, within 2 min of the heat winner, and are also fifth on overall points.
Conditions are expected to be light to moderate which may suit Massey but all lead boats have shown excellent boatspeed, have first class crews and finely tuned boats.
The stage is now set for a classic showdown on Melville Water to decide the Australian Title in the Int 14 class championship.
Heat 6: Ray & the Crazy 88s (A Anderson/ P Chadwick VIC) 1; George 1st (A Massey/ D Wilsden UK) 2; Royston Vasey (B Devine/ I Furlong WA) 3; TBA (M Kristic/ A Wilson VIC) 4; Sage Automation (D Hayter/ M Low SA) 5.
Progressive results: Royston Vasey 1 (8pts); Ray & the Crazy 88s 2 (11); George 1st 3 (12); TBA 4 (18); Sage Automation 5 (28).
by Neil Patchett
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Lord Howe Island Windy Point, NSW
