Audi Winter Series Sydney 38 Race 7

by Brooke Paton on 29 May 2008
Fourteen Sydney 38’s turned up for another winter Sunday on Sydney Harbour to work hard spotting breeze, shifting bodies and calculating how to be in the right place at the right time.

Racing started in approximately eight knots or less of breeze as we saw Uplift catch the 'main' fleet start mark and an individual recall made for Ichi Bandit.

On the work to the laid mark off Roberstons Point, the fleet was kept together for a close mark rounding with Transfusion, Ichi Bandit, Zen and The Goat followed closely by the other 38’s. After rounding the mark, with kites hoisted, a quiet little rain squall came through and took what little wind we had to leave the 38’s struggling to fill a kite and gather speed. Transfusion took the right side of the course, which unfortunately did not pay this time.

While we struggled with kites, the main fleet started towards us very slowly making it more challenging to round the Bradleys Head mark with pace.

The kite run continued to Cannae Point with the yachts hunting for the best breeze across the sound. The Goat rounded the mark first then Zen, followed by Ichi Bandit with an increasing separation on the fleet.

As the first three Sydney 38’s approached the finish line the shortened cause signal was sounded. Zen crossed the line first, seconds before Ichi Bandit then in third The Goat. Fourth was Utopia by 23 seconds ahead of Rush.

After a very trying day for all competing, we saw Zen finishing first, The Goat second and Icom Utopia took out third after Ichi Bandit, who had not heard the individual recall, finished OCS.

With now only seven races left in the series it is still anyone’s to take, and with conditions like last Sunday it is great training for sailing in no breeze!.

Happy Sailing and see you all out there on Sunday.