WIND: SE-13-16 KNOTS

TIDE: H@15:53

COURSE:FOXTROT REVERSE

NUMBER OF BOATS: 34

Thrilling Finish Caps Breezy Afternoon Sail with Clear Skies and a Dodged Storm

There were a few clouds hanging about, but the skies were mostly blue and beautiful 15 knot sou’easter. What more could you want. They were the conditions that greeted another good fleet for the afternoons sail. Lurking about down Mt. Cotton way was a little storm cell which developed as the fleet was on their way home but it did the right thing and went west, leaving salt spray the only form of liquid on boats, skippers and crew. I jest, knowing there was plenty of “other” liquid!!

A running reach from the start boat to the Green Island western cardinal was a very nice, gentle way to start the race. However the beat to Hope Banks RM was quite different for many. It was a little work for the early starters and the larger, faster boats managed to lay the mark. A slight advantage, but handled well when it was the early starters who lead the fleet to nearly every mark of the course.  A port rounding at Hope and up to the floating red at St. Helena saw another comfortable run. Another port rounding and the breeze was back forward of the bow to the St. Helena southern cardinal. The tide was slack and provided no assistance all the way back between Green and St. Helena to the finish boat waiting just north of the harbour entrance. A 40 degree knock within a few hundred meters of the finish line provided some challenging moments, but was handled very well by all. 8 seconds separating 1^st and 2^nd in the Mono’s and 3 seconds between 1^st and 2^nd in the Multis. Very exciting!!!

Coming Up: The Peter Beard Memorial Trophy- Ekka Wednesday

Results

Closest to the line: 00:00-KERAZY-ANGIE!!!!!
Lucky door prize: KERAZY-SHANE (what a day!!)

Lucky Crew prize: IGNITION-ANTON-NICKY

PB