505 World Championships - Final Day

The final day of the Wireless Communications International 505 World Championships was crazy. Racing started early at 11am. Two races were planned. The weather was beautiful, the breeze in the morning was easterly, straight offshore. The forecast was for 15-20kn from the South East but fading. At the top of the leaderboard Peter Nicholas and Luke Payne led by 6 points from Sandy Higgins and Paul Marsh, with a further 5 points to Howie Hamlin and Andy Zinn. If two races were sailed a second drop would count. This would benefit the leaders, Nicholas and Payne’s, position.

Race 8

For the start of race 8 the wind was at 130 degrees, ESE. and 10-11kn. For most of the first beat the boats to the right looked strong, but as we closed on the shore, it bent left. Rounding the top mark for the first time, Chris Nicholson and Charlie Wyatt led Sandy and Marshy. Howie Hamlin and Andy Zinn, and Pete and Luke were deep. With the marginal strength breeze, half the fleet were reaching downwind and half were running. On the second beat, Sandy and Marshy moved to the lead, Nathan Batchelor and Sam Pascoe were flying and moved to second. Mal and Angus Higgins worked up the middle to get to the front as well. There were plenty of passing opportunities on the final run with Nicholas/Payne splitting to the other from Higgins/Marsh and looking very threatening, but a late right shift killed that hope. Sandy and Marshy won, just holding out Batchelor/Pascoe and Mal and Angus Higgins. Nicholas and Payne scored a 12th.

Race 9

Into race 9 Sandy and Marshy led Nicholas/Payne by 5 and it was down to the two leaders. The double drop basically meant whoever beat the other would win. The race started in 8kn with the wind at 180. By the bottom mark the first time, it was a thumping Sou’wester and there was carnage across the course. At the start, the two leaders matched raced. Nicholas has competed on the World Match Racing Tour, but Sandy won his first match racing event as a teenager. Both were very confident and it was awesome. Nicholas/Payne did gain control on the first start, but it had to be abandoned. For the second, Higgins and Marsh got a nice spot early on the line, with Nicholas/Payne in a tough spot mid line. At the first top mark it was tightly bunch, with Nic Baird and Eric Anderson leading from Nicholson/Wyatt. Sandy and Marshy were fourth. Pete and Luke were tenth. By the bottom mark Sandy and Marshy were second and Pete and Luke had moved into the teens as they took big risks. By now the wind was thumping. The title was in reach for Higgins/Marsh, only breakages or a capsize could ruin their party. On the final run, they sailed extra conservative, giving up places to reduce risk. And then, they won! The local crowd went crazy for their local winner.

Sandy Higgins and Paul Marsh sail 505’s at Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club, the home of the first, home Australian World Championship win in sailing, when Sir James Hardy won the 505 World Championships in 1966 and became famous. Sir James and the Hardy family have supported Sandy and Marshy throughout their sailing life. Hardys Wines are a major sponsor of this 505 Worlds, and with the passing of Sir James in 2023, it all ties together so neatly and we now have a successor. Congratulations Sir Sandy and Sir Paul.