Pittwater to Coffs race - Five retire in eventful night

by Damian Devine on 3 Jan 2011 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht race - morning of day 2 update.

After an eventful night at sea that saw five retirees from the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht race, the 44 remaining boats in the fleet are now spread across 73 miles on the morning of Day Two, as they make their way towards the finish.

Early on the first night the Hick 35, 'Brand X' , was the first retiree when she was dismasted after a heavy gust hit the fleet around 8pm, south of Port Stephens. She headed back to Newcastle and is now safe in the Harbour. Then followed 'Wonderland' with sail issues and 'Katinka' reporting steering damage. Both are safe in Port Stephens and Newcastle respectively.

Just before midnight, two more boats added to the retiree list with Craig Ellis' 'Future Shock', sailing in the shorthanded Division returned to Newcastle whilst 'Imagination', a Beneteau 47.7 retired to Port Stephens to bring the total to five.

Colin Watson's 'Infinity', a Cavalier 350, reported they had difficulties at Seal Rocks sometime around 3am this morning.

One injured crew who's status was reported to be a bump to the head but was reported as comfortable and is OK. They are currently under sail heading North towards Forster Tuncurry. A vessel is standing by in case assistance is needed.

All crew have been reported as safe.

Further north, 'Wild Oats X' is holding onto the lead but they have not been able to shake off 'Quest' after light air slowed them down overnight between Forster and Port Macquarie. At 7:30am yacht tracker had 'Wild Oats X' five miles in front of 'Quest' with 52 miles to go in the race and sailing at 10 knots. Obviously the race record is safe for another year as the winds softened overnight for the two front runners.

A further seven miles back is 'Shortwave' with 'Pretty Woman', the Farr 45 skippered by RPAYC's Richard Hudson, sailing a good race to maintain contact with the front of the pack. She is a further four miles behind her in fourth place.

Predictwind.com has reported the breeze at 10-15knots from the South West between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour for today. Tactically, the majority of the fleet have been sailing within the Rhumb line, riding the surf line in an attempt to get out of the strong Northerly current and stay within the narrow corridor of breeze.

The battle just behind the front runners continues with the 40 footers in their own duel with 'Kerisma', 'About Time, 'Minerva', 'Anger Management', 'Elleven', 'Shaya Moya' and the defending IRC champion Bruce Staples' Farr 40 'Witchcraft', with a good jump on his rivals motoring along at nine knots.

With 'Future Shock' out of the race, the three remaining boats in the Shorthanded Division are within sighting distance of each other and subsequently are pushing each other with winds picking up as they head into the final 100 miles. With no luxury of additional crew for watch duties, there has not been any pillow time for these sailors since the start of the race.

The handicap honours have been constantly changing overnight and with the fleet bunched it still is anybody's race. With breeze expected to freshen as the morning grows on, the bulk of the fleet are expect across the finish line by early this evening. Current IRC standings have 'King Billy' leading from 'About Time' and 'Witchcraft' whilst in PHS it's 'Carats n Kilos', the Hick 30 and smallest in the fleet leading from John McConaghy's ' Second Time around' with the ID 35, 'The Real Thing' under the helm of Garry Holder in third.

To follow the yachts in the race http://www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au and click on race updates/yacht click here