Tornado Worlds: Light winds for Races 1 & 2
by Sail-World NZ/Suellen Davies 5 Jan 2019 02:00 PST
5 January 2019
Day 1, Int Tornado Class 2019 World Championship presented by Candida, Takapuna Boating Club, January 5, 2019 © Suellen Davies
In contrast to Friday when strong winds caused the cancellation of practice racing, the first two races were sailed in the 2019 Tornado Worlds presented by Candida, in light winds before a new offshore breeze arrived.
Sailing off Takapuna Beach, Race 1 was sailed in a 3-6kt northerly breeze, which died and gave way to a south westerly breeze providing good racing.
The Australian crew of Brett Burville and Matt Putman won both races and lead the series overall from Rex and Brett Sellers (NZL).
The 23 boats racing from eight nations, launched from Takapuna Beach and made their way out to the start line in a light 3-5 knot northerly.
Race 1 was scheduled to start at 1300 hours, however with the fleet struggling to make it out on time, and the oscillating breeze preventing a course from being laid, the AP was flown to signal the start of a long wait.
Race Officer Megan Kensington attempted to get the first race away, however with the 6 knot consistent lower limit, she was forced to blow up two attempted starts before finally getting the fleet away at approximately 1500 hours.
The majority of the race saw 6 knots from the north, however with just one and half legs to go, the westerly came in, completely changing the dynamics of the race. Brett Burvill and Matt Puttman from Australia fought their way around the course, and eventually came out on top to take the first win of the championships.
Race 1
1st - Pretty Burvill & Max Puttman (AUS)
2nd - Zdenek Pavlis & Muchaela Pavlisova (CZE)
3rd - Rex Sellers & Brett Sellers (NZL)
Race 2 saw more consistency with the breeze and after a quick course change, the fleet was on their way in an 8-10 knot south westerly.
Burvill and Pittman were at the pointy end of the fleet again this time hustling with Jorg Steiner and Michael Gloor from Switerland. But the Aussies were too strong, and backed up their Race 1 win with a second gun for the day. Rex and Brett Sellers were third again.
Race 2
1st - Pretty Burvill & Max Puttman (AUS)
2nd - Jorg Steiner & Michael Gloor (SWI)
3rd - Rex Sellers & Brett Sellers (NZL)
Overall after two races
1st - Pretty Burvill & Max Puttman (AUS) 2pts
2nd - Rex Sellers & Brett Sellers (NZL) 6pts
3rd - Zdenek Pavlis & Muchaela Pavlisova (CZE)
For full results click here
Racing gets underway on Day 2, Sunday January 6 NZT at 1300hrs