The final race of the 505 Australian Championship, also the final race of the 3 race 505 pre-worlds series, was held April 9th. Scheduled for 11:00 am rather than the 2:00PM of the other races, the start was postponed until the wind filled in. Though the race started in a full trapezing breeze, it was lighter than the other races.
The fleet was quite bunched at the first mark, with both sides of the beat working well, at the expense of the middle. The first 6 or 7 boats were able to break away on the first reach - a little broad - as boats were forced to go up to protect their air. Among the lead group were three Swedish teams, and the reigning world champions Jeremy Robinson/Bill Masterman. Robinson/Masterman won the race, while top teams like Bergstrom/Westerdahl, the Nicholsons and Hamlin/Lewis were not in the lead group, and struggled to fight their way back. Bergstrom/Westerdahl got up to about 7th, with Hamlin/Lewis not far behind. The Nicholsons were not able to get back into the lead group.
Despite two less than spectacular races at the end, the Nicholson's held on to their lead in the Australian Championship, winning the event again. Bersgstrom/Westerdahl won the pre-worlds with two bullets and a 7th.
Ali Meller