Souter stamps her authority on the compasscard Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship with a commanding lead

Australian Sailing Development Squad member Nicky Souter and her crew of Nina Curtis and Nicole Douglass, representing Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, have a commanding lead in the compasscard Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship, after finishing day two with another perfect scorecard of six wins.

PRO Mark Pryke set out to complete round robin two today, but with wind shifts of up to 180 degrees, which required the course to be relayed, a total of six flights (30 matches) were completed. The L flag was flying this morning as changes were made to the sailing instructions, allowing the PRO Mark Pryke to re-commence racing after dropping the AP, without having to go into a full start sequence.

Racing got underway at 1015hrs with a course being set just west of Clarke Island. For the start of racing, the breeze filled in from the NW at 8 knots, with gusts of up to 15 knots. With many eager to gain ascendancy over their rivals, several crews were OCS at the start of their matches and some incurred pre-start penalties.

The breeze swung quickly through to the south east at the end of Flight four, allowing four boats to put their spinnakers up shortly after their matches started. This change prompted the PRO to abandon those matches, relay the course and re-sail matches four and five of the flight. CYCA’s Amanda Scrivenor sought a redress from the Race Committee due to the wind shifts but the protest was dismissed.

For Nicky Souter it was another good but tough day on water. "The breeze was constantly shifting so we were kept on our toes all day. Everything seemed to go smoothly today. We seemed to get off the start ahead of our competitors and were able to maintain the lead all the way around the course”.

"We had to be careful to protect our lead in some matches as a large lead on our rivals, as they picked up a wind gust which brought them to within half a boat length of us at the bottom mark”.

"One of our toughest matches was the last race against Catherine Trew from the CYCA. She entered the start line from the wrong side of the course and received a penalty for the mistake. However the crew sailed really well and kept us in check all the way to the finish line.”

“I am looking forward to the racing in the semi finals tomorrow, coming from such a positive score in the round robins. However the scores are wiped out and the semis start with a clean slate – so anything could happen, but we’ll keep positive and let the good vibes continue to flow,” concluded Nicky.

Stephanie Hazard and her crew of Susannah Pyatt and Miranda Powrie, representing Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron also had a good day finishing with 5 wins from 6 matches.

"We had a pretty average day one with the crew new to their positions on the boat, and finished the day with only three wins. Today’s racing was better as everyone had settled into their spots,” said Stephanie.

"I felt that the conditions were less shifty than yesterday but we still had to have our heads out of the boat to pick the right side of the course. Our toughest matches were against Nicky Souter and Katie Spithill.”

"We are looking forward to consolidating our position at the conclusion of the round robins tomorrow and hopefully get a chance to make the semi finals. Thanks to the Race Committee and umpires who made good calls all day,” concluded Stephanie.

Tomorrow’s forecast is again for shifting 10-15 knot nor’west winds in the morning with 15-20 knots expected late in the afternoon, which will again test the patience and skill of competitors and the race committee.

For results of Day Two Round Robin and a full list of competitors go to cyca.com.au

(Written by Jennifer Crooks on the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia website: cyca.com.au)