Wild Oats X expected to cross Pittwater Coffs finish line at 1205hrs

by Damian Devine on 3 Jan 2011 Pittwater Coffs 2010.

The navigator of the 66 foot RP 'Wild Oats X', skippered by Mark Richards has made radio contact a short while ago and reported its ETA with Marine Rescue Coffs Harbour as per the Sailing Instructions, with an ETA of 1205hrs and is now 18 nautical miles from the finish.

They are currently traveling at 15 knots in 10-15 knots of SSE breeze. Hot on their heels, as he has been for the entire race is Bob Steel's TP52 'Quest', only three miles behind setting up an interesting finish as they enter the final leg of the race. Their reported ETA is 1249hrs.

There is a trophy awarded to the Navigator who gets the closest finish time to their final reported ETA with Marine Recue Coffs Harbour. It is held with high regard by the Navigators' of the fleet.

There will be a welcoming party of Coffs media, locals and tourists waiting for both yachts as they cross the finish line and make their way into the inner harbour. The yacht Club, volunteers and finish line are preparing themselves for the finish.

As reported earlier, the Cavalier 35 Colin Watson's 'Infinity' has retired into Forster Tuncurry. The crewman reported to have bumped his head when they ran into some difficulty at around 3am this morning is RPAYC member Bob Mander, who will spend the night in Manning Base Hospital under observation with a gash in his eye that required stitches. He is reported to be OK and all other crew are safe and well.

Richard Hudson, skipper of the Farr 45 'Pretty Woman' reported a short while ago that they were sailing in 20 knots of breeze just south of South West Rocks doing 11 knots.

He told us they were 'all a bit weary, after an interesting night where the wind at times peaked at 30 knots. We blew a spinnaker when we hit the back of a wave which kept us on our toes. It's been a great race so far and I'm looking forward to getting into Coffs Harbour for a cool mineral water. We'll see you in a few hours.' 'Pretty Woman' should be some time after 1400hrs.