RNZYS WINTER RACE 7

Saturday, August 9th 2008

For the first time in ages the wind was not blowing 35 knots! With Need for Speed, Dirty Deeds, Epsom Salts, Hard Drive and Vroom making up the 8.5 division and Helvetica, Taiping, This Way Up, Drumbeat, X Factor, Exodus and Sun Dreamer making up the Open Division, a fine start of 12 boats has ensured a strong winter fleet making the multi-hull fleet one of the largest divisions in the Squadron’s programme.

The race started in southerly light conditions with Sundreamer unexpectedly tacking back towards the start line when the rest of the fleet was going the other way. Conditions were light and flukey, most of the fleet heading off towards Bayswater. Helvetica made the first cunning tack over towards the wharves together with The Need for Speed and Dirty Deeds, and all three became famous from that early decision.

The breeze slowly filled in from the South and in light and shifty conditions the fleet slowly sailed down the harbour. It was almost warm. Because of the light conditions we enjoyed the rare experience of sailing amongst a few of the keel boats going the same way. Conditions remained light right out to Northern Leading. A relatively simple course meant one tack around Northern Leading and a long reach back to Resolution. By this stage the cheeky trimarans Helvetica and Need for Speed were being tracked down by Taiping and Dirty Deeds. Various choices were made between screeches and gennakers with a slowly increasing southerly breeze. Some interesting choices had to be made at the end of the container wharf due to the usual tidal swirls before heading over to Bayswater.

Sundreamer was making a late minute charge but there was still quite a long way to go. Taiping caught Helvetica and Need for Speed. Dirty Deeds also finally caught them both as well. Taiping extended the lead to finish 7 minutes in front of Dirty Deeds but there was then a very close finish for 2nd, 3rd and 4th.. Need for Speed was first on handicap in the 8.5 Division and Helvetica 1st on handicap in the Open Division.

There is just one more race for what has been a really excellent series with a wide variety of conditions. Its all on in the open division for handicap honours with Helvetica and Taiping on equal points and X Factor and Exodus not to far behind also on equal points. The last race is the big decider. In the 8.5 m fleet Dirty Deeds a has had a good series and is ahead on line and handicap. The series prizegiving is on Saturday 23rd, so it would be great to have a big multihull turn out at the squadron for that so see you all then.
Matthew Flynn Exodus.


See full results here