Sydney Harbour Regatta - Protests change outcomes as final day arrives

by Di Pearson on 8 Mar 2015 2015 Sydney Harbour Regatta - A few protests overnight have skewed the leaderboard in Division two of the Premier Class at Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s 10th anniversary Sydney Harbour Regatta which concludes today.

Yesterday’s results showed Howard Piggott’s Beneteau F40, Flying Cloud, leading Phil Dash’s sistership JustADash just one point behind.

Following the protest against the race committee that the Race one course was shortened incorrectly, the jury found the race committee shortened the course, but not in accordance with the rules. As a consequence, Race one was abandoned, reversing the result in Dash’s favour, with Piggott now one point behind.

Other protests will be heard today and the full results will posted on the official race site along with the others that were heard last evening.

If competitors thought the light north-east and east-nor-east winds of early yesterday were tricky to sail in, today is expected to be even more difficult. Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson said: 'Putting all the information together from various forecasts, I predict a light southerly from 11 or 12pm and a sick easterly later – typical autumn conditions.'

Thompson said the IRC fleet sailing offshore 'will be trying their luck on the Macquarie Circle (off South Head) today.'

The predicted conditions will sort out the wheat from the chaff and could change up the results dramatically. Temperatures are expected to soar to 30 knots on a partially cloudy day.

Among the classes sailing over the weekend are the J70, Yngling, VX-One and Cavalier 28’s holding their NSW Championships, 5.5 Metre, Super 30, Melges 24, Adams 10, J24, Production, Historical 18, PHS classes and the IRC yachts on an offshore windward/leeward course.

Competitors and friends will join up again after racing back on the sands at Middle Harbour Yacht Club for a night of dancing to live band Peppermint Jam and a relaxing dinner and drinks.

For all information click here.