Sailing Magazine
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Malcolm Osborne reports
With it being apparent that there is insufficient wind at the scheduled
start time of 09:00, the start time for day three of the 2014 Tera World
Championships was set for 10:00. At this time, conditions were the same
as on previous days – flat calm.After 12:00, the usual signs of a build
south easterly breeze were detected and a course was set and the fleet
was called out on to the water. But before a race could be started,
there was a sudden wind switch, when an initially strong northerly berg
wind put in an appearance. The course had to be swung 180º, which took a
while with the trapezoidal course configuration. The Tera Pro fleet
started, but then the wind faded and started swinging to the south west,
even before the Tera Sports could start. This race for the Tera Pro had
to be abandoned. The next development was the south easterly wind making
a return appearance, forcing yet another 180º course change. This time,
the wind held to allow for races to be completed (just).
Race 5 of the event was held in a consistent 8 – 9 knot wind. In the
Tera Pro fleet, once again it was James Hellstrom scoring a race win,
chased by Jason Gray. A new face appeared amongst the leaders, when
Sarah Jane Deary got through and held on to 3rd place. In the Tera Sport
fleet, Arin Long and Benji Daniel were leading down the final run, with
Michaela Robinson close behind. Arin had to do a two turn penalty for a
rule 42 infringement (imposed by the on water International Jury). He
dropped a place as a result. Up the final beat to the finish, he engaged
Benji in a tacking duel and succeeded in crossing the finish line back
in first place. These maneuvers allowed Michaela to sneak through and
Benji had to be satisfied with third place.
In race , held in a wind a knot or two less, the Tera Pro fleet was
initially lead by the Zimbabwe boats of Christopher Crawford and Niki
Hiripis, but James Hellstrom and Jason Gray overtook up the second beat.
Unfortunately, the wind then died and the race was finished in drifting
conditions. Jason was in first place past mark 3, but was overtaken by a
following bunch in the next leg. James took the lead to the finish and
other new names appeared amongst the leaders when William Annesley (ZIM)
crossed the finish line in 2nd place and Megan Robinson (RSA) got 3rd
place, ahead of Jason Gray. The Tera Sport race was shortened at mark
two, with Arin Long once again in the lead, followed by Benji Daniel and
Taalia Naidoo..
Overall after 6 races, with one discard, the Tera Pro fleet is still
lead by James Hellstrom, ahead of Jason Gray and Christopher Crawford.
In the Tera Sport fleet, the leader is Arin Long, ahead of Michaela
Robinson and Benji Daniel.
