A great day for the Aussies in Weymouth at the 2009 Skandia Sail For Gold Regatta; at the end of Day One they hold the overall lead in the 470 Men, Laser and 49er classes. Michael Blackburn an Australian Laser legend with a couple of World Championship wins of his own under his belt, is here as coach to fellow countryman Tom Slingsby who bulleted both of today’s two races. Andy Rice from Sailjuice.com chatted to Blackburn after racing to find out more….

 

 

 

Race 1 got away under a Black Flag after a General Recall on the first attempt. 15 - 18 knots of breeze from 045. Course set close to shore producing shifty conditions for the sailors.

 

Nathan Outterage led around the top mark for the first time but finished the race in thitd place behind Spaniiards Iker & Xabier in first and the UK's Evanns & Hiscock in second.

 

Big news is that the regatta favourites the Italian Sibello brothers retired from this race after the first downwind leg.

 

Videos of race 1: