Alex McKinnon was out on the water for the Brighton Land Rover 2017 Etchells Victorian State Championship. It is being staged out of the Royal Brighton YC, and Day One started in light breezes.

Whilst the AP went up first thing due to the light winds, the first race got away on time in the end. You could say that it is tradition for the first race started to end up with a general recall, and so it was to be this time as well!

The first race was held in 6-10 knots, with the breeze averaging the axis, which was 170 degrees, and out to a range of 1.5nm.

Thank you sponsors! Land Rat from the Brisbane Fleet are superb travellers – John Warlow, Curtis Skinner and Mick Patrick using up more leave passes to go yachting – cheers team! – Brighton Land Rover 2017 Etchells VIC Championship © Alex McKinnon http://www.alexmckinnonphotography.com

The wind would build to around 18kts for the second race and the range was extended slightly to 1.6nm. The wind swung with the clouds, resulting in four course changes, with the axis moving from 165 to 200 and back to 175 degrees.

Team Magpie flew in for the event – literally – Reigning AUS Champs Graeme Taylor, Steve Jarvin and James Mayo show some of that winning form. – Brighton Land Rover 2017 Etchells VIC Championship © Alex McKinnon http://www.alexmckinnonphotography.com

This ensured the Wilson brother’s Race Management team had their work curt out for them with those axis changes at each mark rounding…

by Alex McKinnon