Howard Hamlin/Mike Martin in 8714 - Black Boat

Racing went well in ideal racing conditions in the 2nd and third races of the Grolsch Australian 505 Nationals, pre-warm up event for the Grolsch 505 Worlds..

Howie Hamlin, from USA, world 18 ft skiff champion, led at the top mark in race two in 15-18 knot southwesterly winds. Howie, and crew Ian Davidson, increased their lead steadily throughout the race, crossing the line in first position, 23 seconds ahead of Ian Barker, silver medallist, and crew Dan Cripps, from Britain, in Bodge It and Scarper.

South Australians Sandy Higgins, defending Australian champion, with Paul Marsh, in Sleek led the Australian contingent finishing third.

The gate starts are working exceptionally well, with over 100 boats starting without incident setting the fleet up for a fantastically even start in champagne starting conditions.

First 5 placings:

1  USA 8714 Black Boat -  Howard Hamlin/Mike Martin
2  GBR 8743 Bodge It and Scarper -  Ian Barket/Dan Cripps
3  AUS 8795 Sleek -  Alexander Higgins/Paul Marsh
4  USA 7771 Gummi de Milo  - Andrew Beekman/Ben Benjamin
5  AUS 8395 TIMAAY!  - Luke Molloy/Lucas Prescott

An even better start in race three

In race three, after an even better start with more than 100 boats on the water, Peter Chappell in The Fish, with hyper speed, led at the top mark to finish first over the line. Sandy Higgins was close behind in 2nd place and Howie Hamlin finished third..

Spinnaker reaches with the new larger kites and the solid Fremantle Doctor had the boats skipping across the waves.

The fleet was so competitive that after a two nautical mile beat, 20 boats converged on the top mark at the same time from different angles giving the International Jury some after hours work.

Barney Harris and Clayton James from USA, sailing Team Spot, were the recalcitrant boat and paid the penalty, after coming in on a port tack at the mark, and tried to make room for themselves among around 15 boats all on starboard.

First 5 placings:

1  AUS 8801 The Fish � Peter Chappell/Ian Davidson
2  AUS 8795 Sleek � Alexander Higgins/Paul Marsh
3  USA 8714 Black Boat � Howard Hamlin/Mike Martin
4  AUS 8395 TIMAAYY! � Luke Molloy/Lucas Prescott
5  USA 8762 Nice Wood � Dan Thompson/Andrew Zinn