The fat lady has sung at the Ronstan International 505 Australian Championships and she sings for Michael Quirk and Simon Reffold. The boys won convincingly after posting a second in the first race of the day, race 7  and their main opposition had their worst day of the regatta. The Jackson/Spencer combo had to beat Quirk/Reffold in the remaining races and took a few more risks than normal, none of which paid. They have now dropped to equal second, tied with the star of the day yesterday Kev Cameron and Ken Webber. These boys won both races in the continuing flukey and shifty winds.

Day 3 of the Ronstan International 505 Australian Championships saw a two race day in 5 - 12kns of wind. Again treacherous conditions prevailed with big pressure and directional changes. The first race, race 5, saw some big shifts, particularly up the first beat. Unfortunately for some, you could be 50 metres from a boat and miss out completely. One boat that didn't miss the pressure was Ryan Menzies and Joel Castle, the young lads were first around the top mark, with a bunch behind. The lads went right on the first run, when the pressure came from the left, causing a reshuffle. At the bottom it was Kevin Cameron and Ken Webber, also prominent were Dan and Daryl on People Bank young Nick Deussen and Jonno Bannister and moving through the field after a poor start was Quirk and Reffold. It's never easy on this course, but Quirk and Reffold have made it look easy, they continued to move through the field, again taking the lead from People Bank, which they held down the final run to the finish. Nick and Jonno picked up third.

The second race, race 6 was more of the same. Quirk and Reffold lead to the top mark, but everyone had a go at leading at some stage. Nick and Jonno were close, the boys on People Bank got it at the Wing Mark. Jackson and Spencer grabbed it on the last reach, with People Bank and Earle Alexander and Ian Gregg pinching first and second with a left hand flyer on the next beat. Jackson/Spencer Took the lead back on the last run, Quirk/Reffold moved back to third behind Earle and Ian and that's the way it stayed till near the finish, when Quirk/Reffold hung 100m metres further right, picked up big pressure and angle and took the win, from Jackson/Spencer and Kev and Ken who just appeared out of nowhere.

In Victoria where the Ronstan International 505 Australian Championships are being hosted, you often hear chat about having four seasons in one day, day 2 proved that statement. The committee were keen to get three races in and heading out to the start, it looked like perfect sailing conditions, 10-15 kns in blue skies.

The Ronstan International 505 Australian Championships got underway yesterday in difficult conditions. Sailed out of McCrae Yacht Club at the bottom of the Eastern side of Port Phillip Bay, the 5oh's are planted firmly in a prime Victorian holiday destination. Unfortunately the conditions suited the holiday makers and not the sailing, perfect blue skies, white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and no wind.