Dunstan and Jarvin to fight it out in the finals

12:03 AM Tue 8 Sep 2009 GMT

'Dunstan crosses the line just in front of Chapman to take a close win - pic by Tom Spithill - 2009 Australian Match Racing Championship' Tom Spithill Click Here to view large photo

Day three of the Australian Match Racing Championship came down to the last flight and remaining matches as RO Ted Anderson finished off Round Robin Two and the re-sail of Round Robin One.

For three teams it was make or break in the last flight. Chapman defeated Waterhouse putting him on equal points with Gordon and Walker. Walker lost both his matches including the re-sail with Michael Dunstan. from the first round robin leaving him on nine points.

With three skippers tied on nine points, RO Ted Anderson and Chief Umpire Phil Mostyn referred back to the rule book to break the tie. The tie saw Walker advance to the semi finals as third ranked boat and Chapman as the fourth ranked, with Dunstan and Jarvin clear ahead in first (13 points) and second (12 points) respectively. Gordon unfortunately missed out on the top four and came in fifth rank.

The semi finals started next with Michael Dunstan as top skipper electing to race David Chapman leaving Seve Jarvin to face Evan Walker.

In the first match between Jarvin and Walker, Jarvin received a pre-start penalty and Walker led off the line. Jarvin made a late dash on the last downwind leg by trying to exonerate his penalty by giving Walker a penalty. But Walker held a half a boat length lead to the finish to take the first match.

Dunstan and Chapman had an aggressive pre-start with Dunstan receiving a pre-start penalty. Dunstan led off the line and managed to build just enough lead to undertake his penalty turn. But Chapman kept the pressure on him, narrowing Dunstan's lead down to half a metre for the closest finish of the Championship so far.

In the second flight of the semi finals, in Match One, both Jarvin and Walker got off to an even start with both boats exchanging tacks on the first upwind. Jarvin was first to the top mark and held a one boat length advantage on the downwind. At the bottom mark, Walker tried to get inside Jarvin but there was not sufficient room to do so. There was contact and Jarvin protested giving Walker a double penalty. Walker was unable to recover giving Jarvin a clear win.

In their second match, Dunstan got the upper hand of Chapman in the pre-start forcing Chapman over the line early and therefore having to return to the start line. Dunstan extended his lead throughout the race to take a comfortable win and advance to the final with a score of 2-0.

Jarvin and Walker with one win a piece had to sail a third and final match to decide Dunstan's opponent in the final. Walker had a slight advantage off the line but Jarvin managed to pick the first windshift and develop a small lead. Walker kept the pressure on the entire match but Jarvin sailed safe to take the win sealing his place in the final. Leaving Walker and Chapman to fight it out for third place in the petit finals.

Jarvin commented on his day, 'We have improved every race especially our downwinds, with bowman Graeme Sutherland keeping us in phase with the wind. Our semi finals with Evan (Walker) were very close I think our teams were very even. On the last race we managed to develop a little speed edge to take the win.' On sailing with his father, Steve Jarvin, 'there's a lot of arguing but he is doing a good job! So I am happy,'' said a jubilant Jarvin.

For the rest of the afternoon, the teams ranked 5th to 9th started a mini round robin to decide their final placing's. They managed to get in three flights leaving two to be completed in the morning with the petit and major finals to follow.

Today's forecast is for 13-18 knot westerly winds with the wind becoming variable in the afternoon.
The Australian Match Racing Championship is being hosted by The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in conjunction with Yachting Australia.

Walker Leads Jarvin in race one the semi finals in the 2009 Australian Match Racing Championships - pic by Tom Spithill - 2009 Australian Match Racing Championship - Tom Spithill Click Here to view large photo

For more details and to follow the live results in today's finals go to www.rpayc.com.au/2009-australian-match-racing-championships.html

by Tom Spithill