After floating around for a good hour the B14 fleet, now 5 strong were recovered and ready for action on Day 2. The wind was blowing from South West at 3 to 23 knots.

The Phantom heading upwind sailed by Steve Miller and Claire Cerutty menaced Strait4devils sailed by Adrian Beswick and Clare Cromarty around the course for the first three races of day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

 

 

 

Race 5 got underway at 1300 hrs. Bondi Tram shot through off the start and got a handy 20 metre lead over the fleet. Phantom had a slow start but headed right and tacked back onto a massive winner. The rest of the fleet headed left and got into pressure and came back strong.

Good Question on the pin end and tight, The Hitcher sailing off the line with pace and Strait4devils dive into the second day of racing at the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

 

At the top mark Phantom rounded 1^st from Strait4devils in 2^nd and The Hitcher in 3^rd. Phantom shot away after rounding the top mark with speed. Bondi Tram carried a massive gust to catch the front runners. 

The Hitcher (Foreground) chasing down Strait4devils and Phantom in race 5 of day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

Hang on Boys! The Hitcher sailed by Robbie Hunt and David McAully rocketing downwind in the first of 4 races at day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

 

Meanwhile there was a Hunt Duo capsize with the Hitcher sailed by Robbie Hunt and new Crew David McAully along with Alex Hunt and Grant Atherton on Good Question.

Oops! The Hitcher sailed by Robbie Hunt and David McAully questioning their new "I'm not getting wet" position in the first of 4 races at day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

 

Good Question on its ear sailed by Alex Hunt and Grant Atherton trying to recover the boat kite up in race 5 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

Second lap was much the same; Strait4devils was hard on their tail but couldn’t close the gap by enough to be within striking distance. The final results were Phantom 1^st by about 10 seconds from Strait4devils in 2^nd and Bondi Tram in 3^rd position. The Hitcher limped home after their capsize and Good Question came through in 5^th.

 

RACE 6

Race 6 got underway with The Hitcher off the line with speed.

Fleet view: The Hitcher sailed by Robbie Hunt and David McAully hot off the line in race 6 at day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

The fleet worked the middle of the course after initially heading left. The Hitcher got around the mark first from Strait4devils and Phantom. After gybing The Hitcher went belly up after scoring a wineglass on their hoist, by the bottom mark Phantom had caught up to Strait4devils after passing the capsized Hitcher.

Strait4devils and Phantom Duelling up the second work in the 6th race of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

Strait4devils and Phantom tack for tack up the second work in the 6th race of the Tasmanian State titles. Bondi Tram in the distance. Photo: Earl Westbury

But by the last lap Strait4devils had managed to just hold off Phantom but they got through on the last gybe to claim the win whilst they floundered on the RHS of the course. 

Phantom sailed by Steve Miller and Claire Cerutty fly through to take the win in heat 7 on day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

Bondi Tram cruised through to get third well ahead of The Hitcher in 4^th. Good Question pulled out of the race after the crew fell ill.

 

Race 7

Race 7 got underway after Good Question had exchanged crews, the now father son combination of Alex and Quentin Hunt were ready to race. Quentin was sporting a PFD 1, blue denim jeans and black explorer socks.

Good Question sailed by Alex and Quentin Hunt in the 7th race at day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Note the stylish wares involved in sailing a B14! Photo: Earl Westbury

Hot off the line was Strait4devils and The Hitcher after flying along the line to the pin with speed. By the top mark The Hitcher had got in front after playing the LHS of the course and getting on a massive winner, close behind was Strait4devils and Phantom rounding out the top three. Strait4devils managed to get their sheet under the pole and nearly capsized which let Phantom through. Rounding first at the bottom was Phantom after The Hitcher had to drop their kite early. Bondi Tram and Good Question closed the gap on the front runners after carrying the breeze down with them. Phantom got through the second lap unscathed but was unsure how many laps had been carried out. Strait4devils took advantage of their poor numeracy skills and get up the inside of them with speed. By the top mark Strait4devils had pulled away from Phantom to get about a 300 metre lead. Heading left downwind they again fell into a hole only 200 metres from the finish. Phantom flew in from the right to take the win by 10 seconds from strait4devils. Bondi Tram got through for third from The Hitcher in 4^th and Good Question retired after falling well behind.

 

Race 8

 Race 8 got underway with Good Question and Strait4devils getting away with speed. The Hitcher dropped their bundle on the start line after letting the main sheet go on the gun. Good Question rounded in 2^nd position from Strait4devils in 1^st.

Good Question rocketing downwind after a dominating first work in the 7th race at day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

Third place was Phantom after trying to get back into it out the right of the course on the upwind. By the bottom mark Strait4devils rounded first from Phantom and Bondi Tram. The Hunt combination rounded the bottom mark together and fought their way upwind. Strait4devils held off Phantom for a second lap, desperate to get a win for the day. By the bottom mark on the second lap strait4devils was about 150 metres in front of Phantom. Phantom got a great lift on their rounding and managed to close the gap within a boat length. By the top mark Strait4devils had managed to protect what was left of their lead from Phantom who was closely followed by The Hitcher after a great upwind out Left. Strait4devils hit the right downwind to ensure their win from Phantom who got their first 2^nd for the day.

Strait4devils Flies downwind to take victory in heat 8 at day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

The Hitcher was without spinnaker for the last downwind and let Bondi Tram through to take 3^rd position. Good question finished after a capsize on the second downwind.

Bondi Tram sailed by Stephen Mitchell and Briony Van Galen chase down The Hitcher in heat 8 on day 2 of the Tasmanian State titles. Photo: Earl Westbury

The PRO’s start crew carried out an impeccable race schedule throughout the last two days heading into the final days racing. Thanks to PRO Chris Keil, Malcolm McAully and Matt Westbury for their tireless efforts.

PRO Chris Keil, Malcolm McAully and Matt Westbury on the start boat at the B14 State Championships. Photo Earl Westbury

 

Photo Gallery: www.photobucket.com/B14-Tas-States2012

The final two races will be sailed tomorrow with the first start at 10:30am.

Progressive Results (1 drop):

1^st Strait4devils: 9 points

2^nd Phantom: 12 Points

3^rd The Hitcher:  23 Points

4^th Bondi Tram: 23 points

5^th Good Question: 38 points