Weather doubt for Final Day Aust Winter Etchells
The strong wind warning forecast gusted in overnight to place some doubt on the final day of the 2008 Musto Australian Winter Etchells championship off Mooloolaba later this morning.
'2008 Musto Etchells - grey and wet, www.questphoto.net'
Peter
Duncan www.Questphoto.net
Wind recorders situated north and south of the racing venue constantly recorded gale strength gusts for a six hour period to dawn this morning.
Double Island Point Lighthouse recoded a peak of 39 knots while Cape Moreton Lighthouse also recorded a top of 39 knots at different times.
The wind strength which continued to torment the stars on the National Flag has already exceeded the official forecast and the angry appearance of the southern horizon suggests there could be some rogue squalls embedded in the windy appearance of the clouds.
Both race officials and the 54 crews were advised of the wind warning last night and elected to play the waiting game.
However the breeze has arrived and while officials monitor the strength of the gusts to comply with the upper limit rule the crews prepared to face a possible bruising encounter on the wind tortured waters.
Naturally the lighter wind sailors are not too happy with facing a possible torture test while the championship leader Mornington Yacht Club skipper Graeme Taylor and crew mates Grant Wharington and Simon Gorman who have proved the speed in light and moderate winds remain keen race in their more favoured fresh winds.
But the decision to race hangs in the balance as rain scuds blotted out the eastern horizon while the shore dump continued to build along the almost deserted Sunshine Coast beaches.
by Ian Grant 
Duncraig, WA
