In the worst incident of the day, Italian Gianfranco Sibello, crewing for his brother Pietro, had to be rushed to hospital with a suspected fractured or broken arm. At the time of writing, Sibello was with doctors in the X-Ray room waiting to hear his fate.

Apart from the injury, this will be a major blow for the Sibello's who were leading the series, and leading today's opening Race 8, which they were obviously unable to finish or compete in the second race sailed.

Race Officials reported that the incident occurred on the last leg of the race on which the Sibello's had a good 200 metre lead in the 19-20 knots of breeze with relatively flat seas.

Both John Harris/Euan McNicol (NSW) and Mark Turnbull Nick Partridge (VIC) were OCS's for which it is believed both are protesting the Race Committee, and could affect the results.

Placegetters in Race 8 were Chris Nicholson/Gary Boyd (NSW) 1st, Denis Jones/Simon Sutherland (WA) 2nd, Jason Beebe/Phillip Manning (QLD) 3rd.

In Race 9 today, breezes had eased to the 11-15 knots, which increased to 30 knots as the tailenders finished the race, causing Race Officials to abandon a planned further race.

Most boats had spectacular capsizes today, Chris Nicholson's so spectacular that he broke his rudder, Jake Newman (RGYC) broke his mast, as did David Maiden (NSW) whilst leading the race - a bitter disappointment for both.

Results from Race 9 are: 1st Turnbull/Partridge, 2nd Harris/McNicol, 3rd Luca and Manuel Modena.

Progressively, after two race drops with two protests pending, Nicholson/Boyd lead with 19 points, from Turnbull/Partridge on 23 points and Sibello 24 points. In 4th place is Harris/McNicol with 32 points, Ben and Marcus Tardrew (VIC) in 5th with 33 points.

Race organisers at Geelong abandoned racing for the rest of the day due to conditions.

With the series finishing tomorrow, Race Officials at Royal Geelong YC may attempt to finish four races if conditions allow.

Source: Di Pearson