The final day of the Peter Lehmann Wines Adelaide Laser Nationals had a somewhat relaxed feel to it. With two of the three fleets having their winners secured coming into the final day, everyone was just happy to be at the end of such a challenging event.
With another light forecast for the day, crews went out with the aim of waiting for breeze to ensure there was at least one good race. As Principle Race Officer Ross Wilson said “the last day is like the 18th hole in golf, everyone remembers it, so we would much rather have one good race than two not so good races”.
This was exactly what happened with some shifty breeze resulting in a delayed start and then a few restarts on the Radials course, so one race for each fleet was run.
In the Full Rig fleet Matt Wearn (WA) had already cemented his win of the regatta before the day but still sailed hard to end the regatta with another race win. He finished eight points ahead of Jeremy O’Connell (VIC) in second and 19 points ahead of Mitchell Kennedy (QLD) in third.
Two of the three rig divisions were decided heading into the final day. Photos: Dave Birss, Epsom Rd Studios.
The Radials were tight all the way to the finish line with Rhett Gowans (VIC) coming from behind to steal the win today from Caelin Winchcombe (WA) who held a small lead for the past few days. Ashley Stoddart (QLD) took out the Women’s Radials finishing in fifth overall with a 42-point lead over the second Woman Elyse Ainsworth (WA) who finished ninth overall.
Jack Littlechild (NSW) had also secured his win yesterday and still sailed strongly to finish first in today’s race. Finalising his impressive 32-point lead from Corey Riley (VIC) and Jackson Porter (WA) with Corey sneaking into second on count back.
Kristen Wadley (QLD) won the Women’s 4.7 title and placed 10th overall with another sturdy gap between second placed Paige Caldecoat who finished 17th.
Finishing just one race short of the planned 12 for the event, the sailors still received two drops out of their 11 races. Big congratulations to all sailors and a huge thank you to the volunteers from Adelaide Sailing Club and the race management team for running such a smooth regatta.
