Warm, sunny and very, very windy was the forecast for the first SIBYC race of 2017 but it didn’t stop 11 yachts logging in for the Inside Course, scratch start race.
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The race started on time with most yachts getting away together, the exception being Pass The Port (Paul, Lynne and Graham) who had to pull out before the start due to rigging issues.
It was all very close to the first mark with Southern Cross (Greg, Lynne and Bill) pulling out an early lead. Gone Too Farr (Greg, Chris and Dennis) and Sussex Inlet RSL (Silva, Macca and Jannette) were close behind, with HooRoo (Andy and Lou), sneaking ahead of Backchat (Steve, Jan, Caroline, Jacqui and guest crew Walter) and Cheeky Chick (Liz and Robyn) to get round 4th with Serendipity (Dick and Darren), Two Up (Paul and Lynne), Sapphire (Max and crew) and Tingaround (Andrew and crew) close behind.
The next 2 legs were theoretically spinnaker legs but only the foolhardy, ie Gone Too Farr and Tingaround, were game to give it a try in the building nor’easter, and in the end Tingaround also gave up with that idea too! And that was the end of any thoughts of spinnakers for the rest of race, they all stayed safety stowed down below (except of course for Gone Too Farr who couldn’t resist!).
There were some great tussles throughout the race with HooRoo, Backchat, Cheeky Chick and Serendipity all very close throughout the race and positions changing regularly. Sussex Inlet RSL also found themselves taking part in this tussle as they had some issues keeping all their crew on board!
The wind continued to build making the last couple of works a real challenge, 17–18 knots are challenging enough without the odd 25+ knot gust coming through!
The racing continued to be close right to the end, Southern Cross maintained their lead over Gone Too Farr crossing the line first and second. Backchat came next but only by a second from Sussex Inlet RSL. Next up were HooRoo, Cheeky Chick and Serendipity separated by only 35 seconds. Tingaround came next and a valiant effort from Sapphire who brought up the rear. Two Up retired and did not finish.
PBH Results: 1st Cheeky Chick, 2nd Serendipity, 3rd HooRoo, 4th Tingaround, 5th Gone Too Farr, 6th Southern Cross, 7th Backchat, 8th Sapphire, 9th Sussex Inlet RSL
CBH Results: 1st Gone Too Farr, 2nd Cheeky Chick, 3rd Serendipity, 4th Backchat, 5th Southern cross, 6th HooRoo, 7th Tingaround, 8th Sussex Inlet RSL.
The next race will be an Outside Course, handicap start, and don’t forget our regatta on February 4-5.
