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Members of the Bateman's Bay Sailing Club on the NSW South Coast, Rob and Nicole DOUGLASS have sailed Chukkel consistently well in conditions that have included varying wind strength, Darwin's big tides and 31ºC heat, not to mention the huge line up on the starting line.

With placings of 2,6,3,6,12,9,6, they have a net score of 32 points, 24 points clear of their nearest opponents. In addition, the second and third placed boats having a maximum 132 points race on their scorecard, resulting from an OCS and BFD. Although allowed as discards, it does not allow for further major glitches in their results.

Japanese husband and wife team, Ikuya and Norika TANAKA, sailing Kai Ona, are in second place overall with 56 points from placings of 8,2,5,132,1,1, while former World Champions Martin LINSLEY and Nick GREY (AUS) from the Australian Defence Forces Sailing Association in Canberra are on 69 points with ADFSA 02.

Current Australian champions Craig MCPHEE and Kevin KELLOW from South Australia are fourth in Code Flag Z, and have notched up placings of 5,31,1,13,47,6,17 for 73 points.

Another former World Champion, Rick LONGBOTTOM and his crew John FORCE (AUS), also representing the Australian Defence Forces Sailing Association in Canberra, are fifth in standings in ADFSA 01.

Four points back in sixth place are Phil and Chris DARBY (AUS) on Sailing Ultralite, just a point ahead of the British team of Dan VINCENT and Hamish WALKER, sailing RNSA 01, 'specialists in port-tack, pin-end starts' according to local sailors. They have a scorecard of 19,11,6,1,8,132,40 and are still regarded as dark horses in the fleet.

Best placed of the local Darwin fleet are Ben NICHOLAS and Thomas WINTER (AUS), sailing Darwin Shipstores. After seven races they are eighth on 95 points.

The Championship has attracted Tasar crews from Britain, Japan, the USA, Canada and most Australian States and Territories.

The series began last Sunday with a 15-20 knot morning breeze and hard sailing in the still hot Darwin weather, with the breeze easing during the day. Monday's racing was mostly in lighter winds, while Tuesday saw delayed starts and then some drifting conditions that saw many boats in the back half of the fleet unable to finish race seven within the time limit. In fact, only 65 of the 131 starters finished.

Today was a lay day for the 262 sailors and the many volunteers assisting Darwin Sailing Club conduct the event.

Top Ten After Seven Races