AAPT ready to make her move

by Lisa Ratcliff on 1 Apr 2004 After a mild night at sea, daylight has revealed a similar line honours order in the FKP Sydney Mooloolaba fleet, but it could all change today with Skandia sailing into a quiet patch south of Tacking Point, averaging just 3-4 knots of boat speed in a 4 knot westerly.


Sean Langman's AAPT, which is averaging 8 knots of boat speed, will be aware of Skandia's position and this is all the bait he needs to hunt the 98-footer down and to close the eight mile gap that currently separates them.


Based on the 0705hours position report, George Snow's Brindabella has slipped behind AAPT but should still be in sight of the 66-footer with only two miles separating second and third.


On AAPT's line is Indec Merit (Ian Treleaven), which is fourth in the fleet some eight miles astern of AAPT and averaging 11 knots of boat speed, as is the Volvo 60s' nearest rivals Michael Cranitch's Broomstick and John Woodruff's Volvo 60, Seriously TEN.


Skandia's skipper Grant Wharington this morning reported an uneventful but extremely pleasant night with most of the crew staying in their shorts in the mild conditions.


While he couldn't see much at daybreak this morning, due to a heavy fog that was enveloping his super maxi, he believed the nearest boat was about 15 miles astern. Following this morning's position report, he will no doubt be reconsidering his race plan.


Official web site: http://mooloolaba.cyca.com.au