Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship - Race 3 underway

3:47 AM Wed 13 Jan 2010 GMT

'North Star - 13 (Julian Plante, Nick Garland and Hannah Nattrass and Michael Dunstan) dockside before the start of racing - Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Murphy & Nye 2010 International Etchells Australian Championship competitors breathed a sigh of relief after the very hot conditions of the last 24 hours were alleviated by a southerly this morning.

Principal Race Office Ross Wilson set an initial course with a two mile first beat to allow the Etchells to stretch their legs.

As the fleet left the dock the breeze was approximately 10 - 12 knots at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club.

Out on the Lake, eagerness at the start was again evident, causing several general recalls.

The breeze was now 12 to 13 knots, the sunny skies disappearing and the weather was becoming overcast.

The breeze shifted and the Etchells crowded the Committee Boat end of the line.

PRO Wilson pulled the pin and set about relaying the start line.

A clean start and those Etchells that chose the Coal Point shoreline gained a big advantage as they lifted out of the bay. Competitors who started on the pin end and hugged the eastern shore got hammered; the first Etchells off the pin end was 20th at the mark.

At the first mark John Bertrand and crew Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey were first to round. Yesterday Bertrand said he would take third any day, he has obviously changed his mind and today he and his talented crew look as though they are out to win.

Todd Wybom (Seven 50) rounded second, making his first appearance in the 'top ten club. He was followed in quick succession, by Graeme Taylor (Magpie), Absoulte Pearler (Peter McNeil), Steam Packet 7 (Adam Beashal), Barry (Damien King), The Boat (Jake Gunther), Iron Lotus (Tom King) and Tusk (Brad Sheridan).

The breeze was at 13 knots, the sky overcast as the fleet headed down the course under spinnaker.

The race Committee has just moved the top mark to the left.

The boats on the western side of the Lake are cotinuing to do best.

More to follow.

by Rob Kothe and Al Constable

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Murphy & Nye 2010 Etchells Australian Championship - Race 3 underway

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