Sunday 4th DF65 South Aussie State Champs. We got to the Lake Mawson 8.30am. The local team had already set up and scrutineering was already underway. We checked in both Bruce and my DF65's no problem. We powered up boats and sealed up covers.

The wind was from the North as kind of predicted with a westerly swing forecast by lunchtime, temperatures forecast in the mid 30's which was my greatest concern. I stayed in front of the effects heat on me by keeping ice on my wrists and neck between each race all day. Briefing and at 10.15am Seeding race one and two under HMS. Simon who beat me yesterday won his seeding race easy. I had a good lead until I picked up small piece slime weed and managed to hold on in the light for 4th, still a keeper. A course swing, a little more breeze, good start in R2 and managed a win. Simon 6th so was up a couple of points. Another huge wind swing as predicted, course swing and we locked into this South West direction for the rest of the day. Although the wind was touching on the top end of A+ for the rest of the day it never went over. Plenty holes and shifts across the course at all times meant picking the way up the mine field was crucial every time. R3 and coming second, jibing at the bottom mark and manage a close 1st. The rest of the day I got good starts and normally got around ( or hit the top mark, then 360 turn) first or second, would hold this to the bottom as a good solid downwind. Second windward others would split so I ran defense with a safe cover and one or two might slip around the edges. With the small chop (silimary to our Tauranga lake chop) it was very easy to stall, or not make a tack and go into irons so great care was required. Race six and Simon got weed pushing him into B fleet and unfortunately taking a couple of races to get back. My uncle Bruce sailed the perfect race and joined us up in A fleet. Bruce just missed by one boat staying up with us for a 2nd A fleet by one boat, so sailed 3 races in a row in the heat of the day. Race eight and local Tony White was getting closer on points. With time running out Race 9 was going to be a key race between us. If Tony won I could be in big trouble. Everyone's starts were sharp now after two days of racing and everyone wanted the right half of the line so dropped in the boat end for a safe start and tacked onto the shift aiming straight at the top mark on Port by myself. Tony got stuck towards the back of the pack off the line. With the wind at very top end of A+ tacking was dangerous and expensive so I decided to continue to the layline and take the hit. I bent away from the pack putting me well down the fleet but four places in front of Tony. I sailed her safely home for 6th would be enough with Tony in 10th.

Price giving with the local council present supporting the local sailing club and event. Click on Gerhard's link below to Photos. Mega thanks to all the officials, Race Officer and all the club members that helped to made this happen :) :) :) thank you, thanks robnelsonboats.nz for making fast sails. Hope the sunburn overnight was not too hot... We rushed home for a Sunday evening family reunion were i got to catch my three cousins and all there kids and partners. A great night and yummy food, thanks heaps. It was so great to see everyone :) https://www.facebook.com/groups/465209320596521/permalink/1575780349539407/?mibextid=Nif5oz

National Ausse Website report - https://radiosailing.org.au/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=340&cntnt01origid=35&cntnt01returnid=129

National Aussie website results- https://radiosailing.org.au/index.php?arcade=results&eventid=2293

Gerard has heaps of great videos and photos