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The event, partnered by Porsche Centre Brisbane, is being hosted by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. Alessandro Marega, from Italy, is second with Anthony Nossiter, from Australia in third. There are 72 sailors from 14 countries taking part.
The Brisbane of the last few days has not exactly been the Brisbane in the brochure with strong winds, heavy rain and the temperature reduced from the normal 28-30 degrees to 19-20 degrees. It was still not that cold, though not exactly pleasant, and very wet.
Two races were sailed on Sunday afternoon on Bravo course area, outside Green Island, a 75-minute sail from the club. It was tough just to make the start line and only 46 sailors finished both races. The forecast of 15-20 knots and higher gusts was not far wrong.
Short steep waves made for some tough upwind sailing and then when the tide turned, the wind increased for the final race for some great downwind sailing. It was not a day for the faint hearted, but everyone returned to shore with a smile for a day well spent.
By the time the fleet had reached the course area the wind was in the mid-20s and gusting but moderated in time for race 1. Germany’s Jan- Dietmar Dellas led at the top mark from the left side, ahead of Britain’s Lawrence Crispin and Joe Spooner from New Zealand.
Crispin had taken the lead by the gate but Marega passed him upwind to lead round the final top mark. Pedersen had started badly and was fighting through, and was up to second at the top. He then took the lead at the bottom of the run to lead into the finish from Marega, with Australia’s Brendan Casey in third.
Little by little, the wind started cranking. It became more challenging with each passing minute, until for many it was a battle to survive. By the top of the first upwind in Race 2, the wind was up to 25 knots with the Finns like balls of spray flying downwind.
This time Nossiter led round from Australia’s David Ellis and Pedersen. Pedersen found second gear downhill to take the lead and eventually a second race win. Nossiter crossed in second with Maerga third.
After two races, Brendon Hogg, from New Zealand is in 34th.
“Today's competition was definitely a step up from what we've been doing," he said. "Having 60 boats out there, probably some of the 60 of the best Finn sailors in the world, and I think they showed it today, because that was hairy ass downwind.
"That last downwind was the most scared I've ever been in a Finn. I thought I was going to send it down the mine a few times. I'm very glad to make the finish without a swim. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.”
Nossiter said: “That was a great day's sport out there. I feel like a master though. Quite spent, quite exhausted. The boys were hiking all the way in. Unbelievable. It was windy in the second race and the righting moment was good for that. A bit of power upwind, hung in there downwind, so I was happy with second best in the last race.
"And early days, we'll just keep working at it, and we'll carry on, and it's great to see everyone out there crossing the tacks and hanging in there, and plenty of smiling faces, even when the pins are hurting.”
Pedersen commented: “The day was hard. It was very windy when we got out, and the wind dropped a bit. I think I had the worst start of the whole fleet in the first race, so I started all the way in the back. So, it was a hard race to work my way back. I had good speed on the downwinds, so I managed to catch up and win the race on the last downwind leg.
"The second race was probably a bit more wind. It was getting more when we rounded the first top mark. It was very shifty out there, so it was hard to see which side was paying off. But nice day. Norwegian weather.”
Conditions are expected to moderate over the coming days with the sun returning, temperatures increasing, and a bit less wind. Racing continues on Monday with two more races scheduled and the event runs through to Thursday.
Results after two races
1 NOR 1 Anders Pedersen 2
2 ITA 1103 Alessandro Marega 5
3 AUS 221 Anthony Nossiter 9
4 AUS 11 Brendan Casey 11
5 FRA 111 Valerian Lebrun 11
6 ESP 100 Rafael Trujillo 13
7 NZL 111 Karl Purdie 14
8 AUS 2 Rob McMillan 20
9 POR 21 Filipe Silva 21
10 USA 16 Rodion Mazin 25
