Hi All, Happy new year!

Just a reminder that Freeace 3 is still scheduled for Lake Cootharaba this month, just need some wind!

Forecast for this Sunday is looking less than hopeful at this point but lets see how the week progresses.

If there is no wind this weekend we are looking at the Australia Day Long weekend and will call the day closer based on best forecast, seems we can't be too picky this season!

The Lake Cootharaba has a few twists on the normal format, Firstly for the Freerace title the 1hr and 1/2 hour formats remain.

For 'on the day bragging rights, for the GPS crew at the pub' there will be separate ranking on the day for

* 2 Hours
* 2 Sec
* 500m

So there essentially could be a 'few races within the race', if it's cranking you could possibly even have a crack at a 100km record, low 2 hours would probably see you up near the best!

Register via Wind Wanders website, or via the Freerace Website, updates via Text, Mobile, Face Book, Sea Breeze.

You would have the think that chances are the Australia day weekend should be windy as we are over due!

Few reminder pics of what the lake looks like when it's windy here.

Cheers

Fingers crossed for you guys. I can't make it this weekend but for those who haven't sailed freerace at the lake it is a top spot for it when it fires.

Looking like we are going to be there - I will have to beat my pb of 1.46knts avg for 1/2 an hour

Jaye keen too and this time we have canmore gps each - sorted

Will show what progress we have achieved so far since race 1


Cheers
Morgan

Hi All,

Unfortunately no decent wind again this weekend, so no Freerace this weekend.

All eyes towards a windy Australia Day long weekend next weekend

just wondering when it will be posted if Freerace is on at Lake Cootharaba this coming long weekend or is the forecast not good ?

Morgan, you should go up to the lake anyway.
If the wind doesn't blow for the freerace, then take your Rio longtail around the course with the windsurfer one design sailors.

sounds like a plan Tony

Freerace this Sunday is looking unlikely based on current forecasts and maps.

Sunday in particular is looking very light at this point its looking like long board and SUP weather.

Will update SB, FB and Text Thursday night.

No chance, of decent wind this weekend for Freerace, so looking forward to next weekend...has to blow soon

Looks like we are being skunked again this weekend. Very frustrating this windsurfing game

I spent the afternoon rigged, loaded and ready for a big session in the 20knt winds at lake C today.....then I had a nanna nap in my van, cause it just didn't happen...
until I had to de rig close to 5 then the 5pm blow kicked!! between 5-6pm it was on!....frustrated ....nahhh that doesn't even come close to describing it...

Thursday night forecast will most likely be the deciding forecast...but yeah odd's are not good.

I've owned a new board for 2 months...it hasn't even got wet !...the last time I sailed was in Maui in Dec!....I'm happy I SUP so it balances it out a bit better.

Jonesy, get yourself a long board and sail with us at the longboard events. We've sailed everyday Australia day weekend, on Tuesday on the 111L and 7.8m in the morning we had the lake to our selfs most of the time.

On the current forecast there wont be enough wind for Freerace 3 at Lake C this Sunday 1st Feb.

There is fair bit of action around with the Low's forming off the coast at the moment, next week looks exciting! There is even suggestions of 30Knts!

So we will wait and see what Friday's forecast brings in case the action speeds up ahead of schedule!

If the race pushes out one more week I have a good chance of getting there

Select to expand quote

Surfinfreak said...
If the race pushes out one more week I have a good chance of getting there

........ and there may be some movement in the air

Just a reminder NO Freerace this weekend, Sunday the 1st Feb.

There may be some lucky sea breezes about over the weekend so enjoy if one heads your way...next week is shaping up as pretty awesome!

So seeing as we have just hit Feb are we missing Lake C or still having the next blat there? It would be a shame to miss out on this one. Wind is already looking sketchy for Sunday. See what happens but my guess is the cyclone is already losing strength and will push off towards NZ. All those not at work enjoy this week while it lasts. It's not been the best of seasons so far me thinks?

Lake C is still alive on the Schedule, but see the separate post about this weekend.

Basically if the winds allow we will be able to do both the Lake event and Sandgate this month, however Sandgate being more subject to tides we have only 2 weekends that suit, this Saturday we cant do due to no resources available, Sunday we can, with a Midday High hopefully the wind sticks around.
So Sandgate this weekend, Lake C next etc.

As they say in the terrorism media business, 'we are on a heightened state of alert' !, there is a real risk of wind happening on Sunday!

Lake Cootharaba is on the Schedule for this Sunday, Feb 15th wind permitting, reasonable chance too looking at forecast , updates later in the week.

update on status fter the 7pm BOM forecast tonight.

North of Fraser island currently is looking windy on Sunday, below there not so...lets see what the BOM says later.

Saturday looks better...

UPDATE:
Friday afternoon will be the final call, but we are looking at SATURDAY 2PM start as thatis the most promising.

Freerace 3 Lake Cootharaba SATURDAY Feb 14 is ON!

2pm start to allow some time to complete all Sat morn chores!

5pm results at the Pub.

No 2hr as hoped, due to lighter winds, Standard 1hr and 1/2 hr, plus the added 'race within the race' GPS results. Results all will count on the series leader board.
All competitors entries go into the end of season draw to win great prizes from, Severne, Starboard, Black Project and Flying Objects.

On line entries here, http://www.freeracequeensland.com/entry-faq-s.html

Sign on from 1pm in front of the sailing club.

The course was tested today with same conditions as expected as tomorrow, nicely powered up 100% on 7.5m lot of easterly in the wind so super long runs along the length of the lake , so not so choppy in this direction either, great fun.

Spread the word, see you up there.

Yesterdays free race was fun thanks guys and girls we had a blast.

Chief Photogragher was in the water having a sail so not many photos but a couple

Looking forward to the next one at Sandgate - cool bananas

Thanks for the pics Morgan and Anita. It's a shame I'm a submarine but guess I spent most the day like that. Dave and Kelly are honking along as usual.

Freerace Round 3 was held at the Lake with less than the promised 15-20knts.

Conditions were lighter than had been all week and we battled through in 12-16knts with a bit either side of that, so was a test of sailing light on your feet!

The good thing about the format though is because there is no set course it allowed Sailors to chase the wind gusts over the lake wherever they thought best...and when they were on you could punch up wind to gain some ground then run off the wind when things were light maintain a better average speed.
Certainly was a test of skill over brawn in the light conditions.
Well done Dave and Kelly, managing a decent hour speed in those conditions.

Thanks for the Pic's Morgan, and well done on your first 1 hr!

Also thanks to the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club for Rescue Boat availability and opening the bar for some nice cold ones after.

Two events to go, Sandgate (jetty to jetty also) and Hervey Bay, still anyone's game to win the series.

I think the scoring system needs a rehash. There needs to be more penalty for those not attending a round. It might need number of attendees +5 or something. I don't really know but if you look at Morgan that has attended 2 rounds in "C" but still in 4th place where he should be in 1st cause the other guys have only been to 1 round. Current system isn't rewarding with minimal numbers.
Cheers
Marty

Point noted Marin thanks, we are aware and looking at it, of course the maths equations totally change with a good turn up!