Zhik Combined High Schools Sailing Championships at Belmont 16ft Sailing Club - Day 2
by Rod Carter 13 Apr 2023 04:22 NZST
Div 4 start - 2023 Zhik Combined High Schools Championships Day 2 © Redhotshotz - Chris Munro
Local sailors Connor Radford and his crew Jayden Palmer (Merewether High School) sailing their Flying 11 'Helter Skelter' have kept their form streak going with another two solid results in today's races to be outright leaders at the halfway point. Radford who finished second in last year's event is hoping to go one better.
Conditions were a little more favourable with the winds coming from the NW. Race 3 saw the 68 strong fleet sail in a 12-16knt breeze with Marshall Day (Macquarie College) sailing his Cherub, adding another win on corrected time. In second place was Joel Beashel (Morisset High School) sailing his 16ft Skiff 'Knighton Group,' with F11 sailor Connor Radford in hot pursuit finishing third. Christian Spencer (Newcastle Grammar) sailing his 29er who wore the leader's jersey today found consistency difficult and has slipped back to third overall.
Race 4 saw the breeze freshen at times to 18knts troubling some of the sailors before the rain clouds rolled in and the breeze eventually faded to 8-10knts. Joel Beashel who comes from the famous Beashel sailing pedigree went one better in Race 4 to eventually win the race. The minor placing saw Tom Hughes (The Illawarra Grammar School) and Jonah Griffths (Barrenjoey High School) sailing their Open Skiffs in second place and third place respectively.
While the overall scoreboard may look like Radford and Palmer is doing it easy at the front, they have had to work hard to maintain their advantage. With 4 races remaining, the chasing pack have them well in their sights.
Special thanks to the event sponsors Zhik for their ongoing support of the regatta, who will be present over the last days to support the event.
Full results here