Festival of Sails - Cruising divisions all smiles after day three
by Stephanie Hobbs on 27 Jan 2013
Festival of Sails 2013 - Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Geelong (AUS): Horizon Sprint (Sm 50) Teri Dodds
http://www.teridodds.com
At Festival of Sails, the Club Marine Cruising Series divisions and Coca Cola cruisers took to Corio Bay in fine and sunny conditions yesterday with a cold but moderate south-easterly breeze blowing them around the track in good time.
Most donned wet weather gear for the passage race, some even wore beanies to stave off the wind chill.
Bryan Dorman’s Sympatico, the Beneteau Oceanis 58, led off the mark and continued to hold pole position as the fleet headed into the channel.
The crew recorded a top wind speed of 20 knots and clocked a fastest boat speed of 10.5 knots as they raced to their first win of the series, and to top spot on the overall pointscore.
It was a pleasing result that boat captain Garry Simmons and the crew are hoping to repeat today, the final day of competition at the 170th running of Geelong’s famous Festival of Sails.
Republica, skippered by Ignazio Parolini, is in second place on eight points, followed by Malcolm Mitchell’s Caledonia in third place on 11 points.
In Cruising division B, Barnstormer, a Bavaria Match 42, was a little too eager and jumped the start.
Horizon Sprint, a Radford 35, claimed the win in conditions that skipper Frank Hammond described as perfect, citing crewman Bruce King as an invaluable local specialist.
'The result was terrific, we’re over the moon,' Hammond said.
John Newbold’s Primitive Cool trails by two points in second place with a tally of 10, while Valiant, skippered by John Newbold is third on 14.5 points.
More than pleased with their first place result in the Club Marine Cruising Series division C, Circe the Southern Ocean 12 M, skippered by Colin Johnston completed the course with a corrected finish time of one hour and 46 minutes. Johnston said he and his 'A-team' crew had a great sail. As for today’s final day, their aim is to have a good time and if they win, they win.
Johnston and his crew have a four point lead in the series, over second placed Seduction, skippered by Richard Nichols on seven points. Moneypenny, skippered by Langford Spence is in third place with nine points.
In the Coca-Cola Cruising Series non-spinnaker division, Salt Whistle, a Northshore 340 finished in first place, their second victory of the series. Trybooking.com is in second place on five points, followed by Jonny B Goode on nine points.
Full Results here Festival of Sails
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