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Sail-World.com : Wild Oats XI holds lead in Pittwater Coffs Race
Wild Oats XI holds lead in Pittwater Coffs Race
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At the first sked in the 29th annual Pittwater vto Coffs Harbour race just completed Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI is still is in front of Grant Wharington’s Etihad Stadium just off Lake Macquarie with Black Jack a little way back in third place.
At this morning's weather briefing, BOM Forecaster Rob Webb discussed the southerly change reaching 25/33 knots during the evening with the seas about a metre, rising to 2 to 3 metres later.
The Southerly is moving fast and should hit the fleet as they reach the Hunter region. He said it would the breeze would swing to the South West before the Southerly change really kicks in.
This morning pre-race line honours favourites 'Ethiad Stadium' and 'Wild Oats XI' were both looking forward to the race with Grant Wharington owner/skipper of 'Ethiad Stadium' saying that they were 'pretty excited about finally getting to race after the disappointment of the Hobart.
‘This is my first Coffs race so it's great to be here and really looking forward to the challenge against the Oats.' And when questioned about the race record of 18 hrs 29 mins 14 secs, Wharington said, 'I haven't given it much thought really but it's certainly within our reach if the conditions are right. We'll just do our best and see what happens.'
Ethiad Stadium draws 7m and with the entrance to the Harbour being 6m at low tide, the Race Committee made the decision to offer the alternate finish line outside the Harbour entrance as an alternative, if the massive boat can't make it in to cross the line inside the Harbour.
The same alternative was offered to 'Wild Oats XI' and 'Black Jack' who both indicated that would be OK to finish inside the harbour. Wharington said the offer 'was much appreciated but if we can get in there we will but obviously the boat comes first.'
Mark Richards, skipper of the 100ft Wild Oats XI commented before the race 'We're looking forward to it. With Grant Wharington out there it should be a bit of challenge for us, it's not going to be a one horse race and it’s always good to be part of the Coffs harbour race.
We've got about two-thirds of the crew that went to Hobart and we've just added some extra guys and some young guys so they're looking forward to it.'
Speaking of the forecast, Ricko said,' Unfortunately we'll probably stay ahead of the Southerly but we'll get to sail back home in it which won't be much fun, but that's just the way it is.
And on the race record being in their sights he added 'Yeah look you never know, with the forecast we got, if we get those westerlies through the early morning we can cover some serious miles in this thing so we'll just see what happens.
But where looking at an early morning finish so it could be close.' We should be right to finish inside the harbour with 5.5m draft we've done it before but if not; the race Committee has given us the alternative to finish offshore. which is great. We're looking forward to getting into Coffs Harbour to see the locals. It's always good.'
by Damian Devine
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http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=65030
8:14 AM Sat 2 Jan 2010 GMT
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2008 Pittwater to Coffs Race
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