| SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA-(17-12-2005) The 2005 Sydney International Regatta (SIRs) started racing today on Sydney Harbour with 220 entries from all Australian states and from internationals from 13 countries. Sydney turned on a bit of everything weatherwise with the morning fleets racing in a 10 knot nor’ east breeze. After a dramatic summer storm crossed the harbour the afternoon racing wrapped up in a 20 knot nor’ west breeze. A number of the fleets had multiple general recalls during the days racing with a couple of boats retiring from the regatta after sustaining damage.
Dual Olympian Anthony ‘Nocka’ Nossiter leads the Finn class from British sailor Ed Wright with New Zealand’s Nik Burfoot in third after two race today.
Hungarian board sailor Aron Gadorfalvi leads the boards from Australia’s Number one ranked board sailor Jonathan Bonnitcha.
Australia’s Tornado team of Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby lead world number two ranked Leigh McMillan and William Howden from the UK and fellow European team Iordanis Paschilidis and Trigonis Koscancinos from Greece currently placed third after two action packed races today.
Moth foiler Rohan Veal from Victoria leads the Moth class from New South Wales sailor Scott Babbage with two bullets from today’s races.
The Yngling class is being lead by match racing champion Nicky Souter and her crew of Angela Farrell and Sarah Wilmot with Athens Olympian Nicky Bethwaite with her crew of Karyn Gronjnich and Helen Impey in second.
470 men’s class has Queenslanders Mathew Belcher and Nick Behrens currently lead New Zealand’s Geoff Woolley and Mark Overington by two points after three races today and fellow Queenslanders Lauren Jefferies and Rike Ziegelmayer lead the women’s fleet.
Australian Athens Olympic representatives in the 470 men’s class, Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page, have swapped to the 49er class for this regatta and are leading from local Woollahra Sailing Club member Clynton Wade Lehman and Tai Elloitt currently in second on a count back from Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin.
A strong representation in the Laser fleet has Queensland’s Brendan Casey leading from Canadian David Wright with Kevin Lim from Malaysia in third. Tom Slingsby is currently placed fourth after two races today.
Victorian Laser Radial sailor Sarah Blanck leads the fleet with Zac Skulander in hot pursuit and Miranda Powrie from New Zealand in third.
SIRs racing continues for the next three days on Sydney Harbour.
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