News

Overnight leader and championship favourite, Lisa Blackwood, faced a series of setbacks, starting with a blown-out main sail that left her missing some racing while she carried out repairs. As the wind strengthened, Blackwood also encountered rudder issues that further hindered her performance. Despite her early dominance, these troubles saw her drop down the rankings.

Ted Stevens, who had sailed consistently throughout the day, capitalised on Blackwood’s misfortune, overtaking her in the overall standings. With steady performances across multiple races, Stevens now leads the championship by a slender 4 points, taking a crucial advantage heading into the final day of competition.

Meanwhile, Kyle Stewart moved up the leaderboard after a relatively strong day on the water. His consistent results have placed him in striking distance of the podium, with third-place finisher Michael Hickman currently occupying a precarious position. Stewart will need to fend off Rod Marshall, who also showed strong form and could challenge for a podium finish as well.

As the day wore on, the racing became increasingly about survival rather than strategy. The strong winds caused many boats to nose-dive downwind, forcing competitors to focus on maintaining control in the harsh conditions. By the end of the day, it was clear that the sailors were battling not only the competition but also the fierce elements.

Looking ahead to the final day, lighter winds are expected, which could shift the dynamic of the racing. With the leaderboard tightly packed, the top contenders will continue to fight for the title in what promises to be a thrilling finish to the championship.