WIND: SE-E-SSE-4-11 KNOTS

TIDE: H@18:50

COURSE: DELTA REVERSE

NUMBER OF BOATS: 35

Nail-Biting Finish as Winds Play Tricks on Skippers

If you had of been watching some of the forecast wind predictions for this week, you may have thought that the chances of another cancellation was on the cards with numbers in the 25+ range. However the majority of the stronger wind was out to sea and thankfully left the bay more user friendly. I say that only based on the very gentle breeze provided, but not on the way it challenged all skippers and crew with many knocks and lifts and the huge hole that sat 500 meters from the start line.

As the fleet headed to Lockyer Light (on a gentle beat), the wind line was hovering right there, just there, so close! Patience paid off and gradually it filled in from the SE and gave some forward momentum past Lockyer and up to the Green Island rec. mark. So far the biggest problem was what tack to use on the first leg. A steady running reach all the way to the floating red at St. Helena where a port turn saw the fleet make the most of the flooding tide and make its way between Green and St. Helena, past the western cardinal to the finish line set as far SE as possible to provide a beat on the final leg. It produced some fantastic close sailing and even closer finishers. 5 seconds separating 1^st and 2^nd . A credit to all!!

Coming up: EKKA Wednesday – The Peter Beard Memorial Trophy-14/8/24

Results

Closest to the line: 00:00-SALACIA-STEVE, KERAZY-SHANE/ANGIE

Lucky door prize: BROADSWORD-DAVID

Lucky Crew prize: McMOGGY-ALASDAIR

PB