Given the forecast it was good to see 7 yachts line up for the downwind start to the race.  There were a few issues getting the countdown to the start accurate on some boats, mainly due to the already trying conditions, but all 7 yachts got over the start line without issue.  It was a very quick first leg but only 1 yacht tried the spinnaker and that was Gone Too Farr (Greg, Ronda and Andrew) – no surprises there!  It took a while for them to get it under control, to the alarm of Tingaround (Andrew and crew) who were just behind them and wisely steered low to keep out of their way! 

It was cosy round the first mark with Southern Cross (Greg, Lynne and Bill), HooRoo (Andy and Lou) and Serendipity (Dick and Scott) all arriving at the same time but all managed to get round without contact or issues (surprising given it was blowing a gale by this time).  Pass The Port (Paul and Lynne) kept high and consequently got round the mark in clear air.

By the second leg the wind had built to around 20 knots and the fetch (waves) had also increased which made this work a very unpleasant experience, particularly for those in the smaller, lighter boats (ie HooRoo).  However all 7 yachts persevered and ploughed on to the Palm Beach mark. There wasn’t too much close racing by this point though Gone Too Farr and Southern Cross reached the mark around the same time and were neck and neck at the start of leg 3.  Legs 3 & 4 were downwind which was considerably nicer than the upwind leg but will the wind continuing to build, it was an exhilarating ride with speeds exceeding 9 knots regularly!

Unfortunately after rounding the Sussex mark it was another work with the wind now over 25 knots (gusting 30 knots) and the waves also building and at this point HooRoo and Pass The Port decided enough was enough – mainly because it had become impossible to tack and the crews definitely weren’t having fun anymore, so both pulled out of the race (however getting sails down and getting back on their moorings presented more challenges!). 

The others continued on up to Kangaroo Point and turned the corner for another downwind leg to Tallyan Point.  During the work back out of Tallyan Point, Phil, on committee boat Sparrowfest, decided that it was just getting too windy and rough (for him and Ray as much as anyone else) and shortened the course so it would finish at Ernie’s Mark. Unfortunately the announcement came about 5 minutes too late for Southern Cross who also decided it way too unpleasant and had just dropped their sails and turned on the outboard, pulling out of the race.

The four remaining yachts, Gone Too Farr, Tingaround, Serendipity and Equinox soldiered on and finished the race, which in itself was an achievement. Huge thanks to Phil and Ray on the committee boat as it was a particularly unpleasant day to have to sit out in the Basin.

PBH Results: 1st Serendipity 2nd Tingaround 3rd Gone Too Farr 4th Equnox.​