Bringing along the shredder at Sail Port Stephens

by John Curnow on 5 Apr 2017 Just before race time of 1230hrs, a light sprinkle dusted over glorious Port Stephens like icing sugar through a sieve. By the time the boats were assembling off the breakwater at Nelson Bay there was up to four knots of tide and around the same velocity in wind from the Sou'east. Not ideal starting conditions, especially for a downwind jaunt, and PRO Denis Thompson did warn them all. Some got it right, and others, well....

At any rate, it meant you were always in with a chance if you read the countless zephyrs that blew through, and there were around 52 re-starts as the fleet trundled up towards Salamander Bay. Thos puffs grew to grunts and it was about then that it became a Commercially Viable Day for the sail makers. They were not the only ones, because many crews just adored the variation. Indeed, Toy Box suffered the individual recall, albeit that she was not the only one, and yet come the first mark she was in front. Nice work team!

Sail Port Stephens is celebrating its tenth birthday and continues to grow. Little wonder - great event - so keep it up all you who come here! Pantaenius Sail and Motor Yacht Insurance have been sponsoring for five of those years and it is with thanks to them and their RIB that we have an image gallery.