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Adelaide is one of the few places in the World to experience days without tidal movement, or a 'dodge tide' as it is called, and day three of racing was one of those days. Generally, a flooding tide helps the sea breeze build, by bringing cold water up the Gulf, but with no tidal movement, the sea breeze hardly got moving. So the fleet sailed in light wind, flat water conditions more suited to a European or US lake than the Australian Southern Ocean. As you would expect, it was those more accustomed to these conditions who shone.

The Super Danes

The first race, race 4 was won by SAUGMANN and RAMSBAEK. Affectionately known as the Super Danes, the pair were on the right side of a big right hand shift after the start and were second around the top mark behind Mike MARTIN and Jeff NELSON (USA). By the bottom mark, they were in the lead and never headed.

Both the Danish and US boats had great speed in the light conditions, but amazing height. Howie HAMLIN and Fritz LANZINGER (USA) sailed a great race, moving from eight at the first mark to third at the finish.

The second race, race 5 was more of the same conditions wise and performance wise. This time there was no big shift from the right, rather a lot of small shifts and a late left bend on the last work. Still off the start, the right side of the course was favoured, as the gate boat with Ebbe ROSEN and Olle WENRUP (SWE) were second around the first mark, behind Queenslanders Kevin CAMERON and Jeremy MANDERS (AUS).

Another Nordic Win

ROSEN and WENRUP, just like the Super Danes in the first race, moved into first by the bottom mark and were never headed. Second was the French team of Bertrand LOYAL and Laurent NEVO, backing up from their sixth in the first race of the day, making them the second best performer after the Super Danes, SAUGMANN and RAMSBAEK who climbed to third in the second race.

The sailors now have a day's break, before resuming on Wednesday. There are four more races remaining in the regatta and after one drop, SAUGMANN and RAMSBAEK lead the regatta from MARTIN and NELSON, and locals Sandy HIGGINS and Paul MARSH (AUS) in third.