1996 Worlds: Race 5
Race started on time, on the alternate course, further south and east from Townsville Sailing Club. After recent first beat experiences, more of the fleet tried to start early in
the gate. The Nicholsons started quite early in the gate, and were well punched, when
they tacked, they barely crossed several other boats. Their tack put them on the port tack layline, and all the boats (many) that continued left were badly overstood. The leaders hoisted their spinnakers and sailed below a long line of port tack boats reaching into the mark. The Nicholsons lead for most of the race, but Bergstrom/Westerdahl got inside Nicholsons at the gybe mark of the second triangle, filled their spinnaker first - the Nicholsons spinnaker flogged once before filling - and went on to win the race.
Though similar in direction to yesterday, it never blew as hard, though it was trapezing all the time.
Ali