LIGHT HEADWIND FORECAST FOR YACHT RACE

by Ian Grant on 2 Jan 2001 Prepare for a light to moderate sea breeze was the weather forecast issued for the start of the Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour yacht race starting of Barranjoey Head today.

Skippers and crews making up the most impressive fleet to contest the annual 220 nautical mile race will now face a generally up wind slog during the day in warm pleasant winds and moderate seas.

This is in complete contrast to last weeks Telstra Sydney-Hobart race were the fleet sailed in cold head wind gales for more than 500 n/mls with some crews claiming they experienced sleet hitting the deck.

Sure both races are different but at least the Pittwater to Coffs Harbor fleet will sail into a warmer climate zone.

The forecast of sea breezes during the day and a possible westerly land breeze between dusk and dawn will offer the 104-yacht fleet racing in seven handicap divisions with a test of offshore tactics.

There is little doubt the nature of the weather pattern will provide the opportunity for the fast line honors contenders to attack the race record of 20 hours 56 minutes 56 seconds set by Arthur Bloore's pocket-maxi The Office in 1984.

This means Sean Langman's exciting speed sailing Open 60 Xena a potential race record breaker could have a real fight on her hands to win the line honors trophy ahead of last years winner Infinity 111 (Martin James), Future Shock (Ron Ellis), RSL Dot Com (Pierre Gal) and the impressive Heaven Can Wait (Warren Johns).

But if the night westerly influence holds some velocity and the seas are flat then Xena will log fast miles over the seabed.

However the skippers and crews are not expecting a fast race with the line honors trophy expected to be decided around dusk tomorrow.