Living Colour 505 Nationals Day 2

9:32 PM Tue 17 Feb 2009 GMT

'Start - Living Colour 505 Australian titles 2009' Ian Guanaria

'Gruelling'. That was the word used by veteran competitor Earl Alexander when he got ashore after today's racing - and it well sums up the day for many of the participants in the Living Colour 505 Australian Championships.

As the fleet headed out under ominous skies and medium strength south easterly breeze, but with the promise of a gale warning later in the day, every one was wondering what lay ahead.

While the gale didn't eventuate until well after racing what made the day so tough were the heavy grey skies, inconsistent breeze strength and seemingly random shifts played havoc with all competitors.

In the first race, Sandy Higgins and Queensland's Adrian Finglas started early, got the first shift and easily crossed the fleet to lead to the top mark.

It was a battle then, for the minor places. Sydney's Michael Quirk and Simon Reffold were there, as was fellow locals Carter Jackson and David Page and Sandy's brother Mal, sailing with the man mountain Nick 'Camel' Johnson.

Boatspeed finally paid a third place for Carter and David, with Mal coming in fourth.

Race two was even more challenging. The breeze was shifting right and the early start trick didn't pay so well. At the top mark the first time there were 12-13 boats in very close company - some coming in on the greater pressure from the left. Some on the better angle from the right. Lottery ticket anyone?

As the pack sorted itself out Kevin Cameron and Matty Bowden got the best of the right hander on the next beat and led easily to the top mark. Leaving Sandy, Carter, Michael Quirk, Torvar, Mal Higgins and South Aussie Nick Duessin, sailing with Jono Bannister and Queensland/Victorian combination of Paul Mitchell and Sam Haines to sort out the minor places.

Sandy Higgins and Jordan Spencer - Living Colour 505 Australian titles 2009 - Ian Guanaria

Within this group positions changed by the second depending on the vagaries of the wind and it was never clear, who was where.

One thing that was clear, was that West Australian World Match Tour racer Torvar Mirsky, in a second hand chartered boat that he had sailed once, was lit-up and clearly one of the fastest boats out there. He and Kyle used this speed to get a good position on the final beat and did enough on the last run to hold second.

Quirk and Reffold had a good run to take third and Sandy and Jordan got fourth.

After four races - Sandy Higgins and Jordan Spencer are clear leaders with three firsts and a fourth.

Just behind them, tied for second spot are the consistent Kevin Cameron and Matt Bowden from RQ and Perth's Tovar Mirsky, crewed by Kyle Langford. Fourth are Carter Jackson and David Page.

Each of these guys well deserves their position because it was a tough day on the water for all concerned.

by Simon Reffold

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