The final day of the Formula Nationals was completed today in Hobart in a typical sea breeze weather pattern, one which we have waited for all week. With winds quite light around 7- 12 knots, sailors worked there way up to the start line in the Derwent River and got away to another clean start. Nelson hit the line with speed and was away at the pin, as was Parker. McGain was nowhere to be seen. After mistakes with the starting flags from the boat, McGain realized the fleet had started, still relaxing at the pin end of the line, McGain headed out on port tack well behind the fleet. Nelson was gone on the left side of the course, but McGain using his superior board speed quickly picked up pace to move onto the weather mark in first place with Nelson close behind and Parker within striking distance. Game over, McGain secured the championship with this win, while Nelson hung onto second and Sam Parker finishing clear in third.

Race 11 saw much the same conditions, but a slight increase in strength scared sailors to use smaller sails as most expected the breeze to quickly pick up in strength. The wind remained the same as race 10, with McGain flying at the pin on his 11.5, he was away and gone. Sam Parker sailed a perfect first upwind to round second while Mike Nelson rounded in third. McGain finished clear of the fleet taking his eleventh straight bullet in the event and leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that Phil McGain has made his mark on the Australian Formula scene. Sam Parker finished in second and Mike Nelson stayed in third place.

Anna Davis from Victoria was an easy winner in the Womens division.

Final places for the event saw a close fight for second place behind Phil McGain from NSW, with Nelson moving up from 5th to second on the final day, Steve Charles from Tasmania having trouble in the lighter winds on the final day moved back into third, Sam Parker proved with his consistency he’s one of the top Aussie sailors, finished in 4th and Local boy Dave Morehead in 5th, once again showed the rest of the country that Tasmania is a force to be reckoned with in Formula.

1st Phil McGain, NSW

2nd Mike Nelson, NSW

3rd Steve Charles, TAS

4th Sam Parker, NSW

5th Dave Morehead, TAS

6th Brett Morris, NSW

7th Mark Trollope, NSW

8th Sean O’Brien, QLD

9th Rick Murray, NSW

10th James Cooper, VIC