Sail Port Stephens 2011 - Sunshine and breeze for final day

by Sail Port Stephens Media on 17 Apr 2011 The final day of Sail Port Stephens 2011 dawned fine and clear and with good breeze.

There was a collective smile on the Race Committee’s faces this morning as they briefed the Performance Racing and Cruising Divisions skippers and competitors.

With the NSW IRC Fleet sailing an offshore course and the SB3's continuing their National Championship at Salamander Bay, the Performance Racing and Cruising fleets were assigned the inshore course 8, starting in Nelson Bay, then to Salamander Shores, Pindimar Mark, Corlette Mark and back, to the finish line in Nelson Bay.

The starts for all three divisions were clear, the breeze coming in at around 10-15 knots and with the sun shining, there were smiles everywhere. A great job by the Race Committee and officials to get the three divisions away in tide.
On the breakwater wall, which had a great start line view, the various teams had their supporters and as the starter's guns fired, the gathered crowd cheered as the yachts cleared their respective start lines.

In the Performance Racing Division Wasabi, (Bruce McKay) was first across the start line. Marta Jean, (Steve Rae), Iota (John McNamara), Menace (Niven James) and current Series leader, Steven Ford’s modified Sydney 39Cr Fathom were closely bunched as the group opened a gap back to the rest of the fleet. Wasabi obviously enjoying the gusty conditions opened a sizeable lead on the rest of the fleet as they headed towards the Salamander Shores mark.

The Cruising Division 1 start was led by Dances with Waves, Jim Thomas’ Beneteau 40.7. She seemed to have a jump on the fleet but eXcapade (Noel Gough), Bear Necessity (Andrew Dally), Tailwind (Shaw Russet), Joie De Vie (Peter Byford) and Margaret Rintoul V (Graham Mobuckson) were quickly in pursuit. Bear Necessity popped her blue kite, however Amante (Dennis Cooper) and Tailwind did not as the three sailed in close company towards the first mark. Good Form (Joachim Fluhrer) and Antipodes (Greg Newton) joined eXcapade, who had dropped back but was now hoisting her kite.

This fleet too headed towards the Salamander Shores mark, as grey clouds started to appear in the sky.

The Cruising Division 2 start was led by Negotiator (Wayne Taylor). Saga (Patrick Hurley), Navita (Mark Wharton), No Regrets (Ian Billington) and Kahoona (Derek Sheppard) were sailing together.

The sun appeared as the fleet rounded their first mark at Salamander Shores. The breeze continues to build and the word from the race course is that ‘today’s a great day for sailing.’

*A full report and results, including the SB3 Nationals and the NSW IRC Championship, will be available at the end of racing.