Sunday 12 September 2010

Freshie Racing Report from the Hahn River International, Korea

by Travis Keay

The Freshie Racing Team is currently in Korea competing in the Hahn River International Match Race. In unusual conditions we are currently on flood alert waiting on further news if we are able to head out racing today. The rain hasn’t stopped since we arrived in korea on Wednesday and together with 7 metre tides at sea the current is very very strong.

After competing 9 flights, we are currently in second position behind New Zealand’s Reuben Corbett. In light conditions and challenging current we won 4 out of 5 races.

Our race against Corbett was full of drama with him miss-judging the tide and receiving a penalty for a collision. He was able to out sail us on the first up-wind leg before we made up huge ground with more pressure in the left on the final down-wind leg. Corbett however was able to hold us out by 2 boat lengths.

The organising authority has had a tough time dealing with the conditions but has done their best. All other fleets where cancelled yesterday except for the match racing. They were concerned for the safety of the smaller yachts as the current could potentially sweep them away. Hopefully we get to race later today and it stops raining for tomorrow the last day of competition.

Freshie Racing would like to thank Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, North Sails Western Australia, Zhik, Ron Tough Yachting Foundation and Peter Chappell for their great support.

Freshie Racing is Peter Nicholas, Travis Keay, Luke Payne and Jay Halligan.

Freshie Racing