Flying Fifteen supremo and former world champion Nick Jerwood, sailing with his son, match racing champion Matthew and boat owner Brian de Vries, set the pace on the first practice day on Perth’s Swan River with two firsts – the second shared with Justin Scott.

A quick look at the entry list reads like a “who’s who” of the yachting world, with champions from other classes scattered throughout the fleet.

Flying Fifteen class jumper Nick Jerwood scored a clear win in Practice Race 1

Redline Racing’s Alex Landwehr and Patrick Vos, with an impressive match racing pedigree on the world stage, teamed up with Sam Monkhouse to register second and sixth placings in the two races. Former world youth champion in Laser radials Conor Nicholas added some local knowledge to Justin Scott’s team – good enough to share first place with Jerwood in race 2.

Former dinghy champions Rod Beurteaux and Denis Jones, Laser champion Zoe Thomson and the much

Jerwood under pressure in Practice Race 2, declared a dead heat with Justin Scott.

traveled Graeme Spence all added a touch of glamour to the Viper fleet, which already has many illustrious names in its ranks.

Today’s racing was in very light conditions, but with a cyclone now active on the north west coast of Western Australia, weather in the south of the State is going to be unpredictable during the next week or so, making for some interesting times on Perth’s Swan River.

Hosts South of Perth Yacht Club have put together a strong team, headed by Tasmanian Race Officer Nick Hutton, to manage the event and has planned

Justin Scott’s crew powered up in the light breezes.

a few interesting social activities to keep visitors entertained.

Practice Day 2 is due tomorrow, with racing proper scheduled to begin on Monday.

Full results at: http://www.topyacht.net.au/results/sopyc/2018/vipwlds/vipwlds/SGrp1.htm

Strip view shows the closeness of competition in the 25-strong fleet.