ISAF SWC Melbourne Big Breeze And Close Shaves. Nacra 17 Highlights

the Nacra 17 funals were a “survival” course at the ISAF SWC Melbourne. In the end both the Nacra 17 and 49er FX Races proved to be a battle with the elements for most crews, as winds gusted above 25kts making for a real test of boat handling. Darren Bundock and Nina Curtis (AUS) best survived the war of attrition that determined the outcome the Medal Race in the Nacra 17 Multihull class. The New Zealand crew of Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders were clear leaders and the most windward boat as the fleet flew away from the start line. The Kiwis dropped back into second around the first mark and Bundock and Curtis, sailing their first regatta in the class, marched through the fleet. In the end the experience of the Olympic dual Silver medalist in the Tornado catamaran showed through, as Bundock eased his charge down the final run, whilst the other competitors engaged in various on the water gymnastics — either capsizing, or the catamarans going airborne in the now 25kt breeze. On the final leg to the finish, in heavy gusts, Bundock and Curtis opted to just sail off a single trapeze and “cruised” through to the finish, without a spinnaker. Following them in a similar mode was second place getter Euan McNicol and Lucinda Whitty (AUS)