A tale of two breezes Race 2 & 3, Rosemount Regatta

by News Editor on 24 Mar 2001 A Tale of two breezes.

Race 2 & 3 of Rosemount Farr 40 Regatta.

The tactician battles intensified as the prevailing north westerly fought off the weak sea breeze during the last two races.

The north westerly breeze had dropped to 6-8 knots from around 300 by the start, although looking up the course it was apparent that again there was more pressure coming down the left.

10 seconds after the start the top three of the first race had been penalised with Syntegra Rapscallion, Leroy Brown and Corinthian Doors being a little early and having to do mandatory 360's. This is a minor penalty compared to a regular recall and certainly makes an attack on the line worthwhile.

Marcus Blackmore's Emotional Hooligan led the pack left with Smile on her hip.
The Quinn Brothers on Truant was to weather of Brett Neil and his Kiwi team aboard Rapscallion.

As in the first race Fruit Machine was caught behind the pack and had to duck sterns. After her 360 Corinthian Doors went right to escape the gas.

Staying left Warwick Wickman had Leroy motoring, she was the lowest of that group but she was moving forwards in more pressure again.

As Emotional Hooligan approached the mark, there was probably 3-4 knots more pressure than at the start. The Quinn brothers Truant was holding well. Smile tried to establish an overlap on the inside but did not quite have the speed and the Kiwis were next with Leroy close behind.

The balance of the fleet had gone right and missed the pressure. Corinthian Door led Bon Giorno along the layline but was 20 lengths back from Leroy. She was followed 5 lengths back by One Step ahead, from Fruit Machine, Weapon and Envy.

With a new breeze angle the fleet ran down square Emotional Hooligan led Smile by 3 lengths. There was a lot of shouting as Syntegra tried to sneak through Truant at the mark. Again the onward judges whistled. Syntegra's 360 was quick, but she came up sucking gas and was forced to tack.

Richard Perini's Corinthian Doors had pulled back a lot of time with some clean sailing and Nicky Brewthwaite, tactician aboard One Step had the boat going better to hold out Fruit Machine.

Again the land breeze was winning its fight with the sea breeze and the boats on the shore, in less current and favoured wind almost one tacked.

Emotional Hooligan held on during the run to lead Smile, Leroy and Truant to the finish, with Rapscallion next, then Corinthian Doors, Bon Giorno and One Step Ahead.

In Race three, almost the entire fleet was fluttering close to the left at the start.

Again Leroy was at the front and executed a fast 360.

In an attempt to escape the mob, Corinthian Doors started fast on port tack.

Leroy went furthest left towards the shore as the pressure built to around 12 knots. Again she was first to the mark. Weapon was well advanced but pinching as she approached the mark and was rolled by Emotional Hooligan and Corinthian Doors. Truant, Fruit Machine and Smile were next.

Leroy ran back down the shoreline and suffered as the sea breeze had it's few minutes of glory.

By the mark Emotional Hooligan, Fruit Machine and Corinthian Doors sailing in the new pressure, had jumped ahead of Leroy Brown, with Syntegra followed by Bon Giorno. Over in the old land breeze Smile was grimacing.

By now the sea breeze was again dropping with only 6-7 knots. Coming back on the second beat Leroy again hit the shore side, just as the land breeze surged again. However determined not to let the blue boat through, Emotional Hooligan covered, as did Corinthian Doors.

Emotional Hooligan again got the gun, followed by Corinthian Doors and Leroy.

Fruit Machine, whose crew by now seemed to be shaking off the rust from a long lay-off, was fourth.

The tactician battles intensified as the prevailing north westerly fought off the week sea breeze during the last two races.

Dick Voorderharker, sailing as crew on his New Zealand chartered Syntegra Rapscallion was heard to say with a grin 'I don't think they like us Kiwis'.

Day 2 has dawn with condition much as yesterday, with lighter N/NW winds 10 knots. It is expected that the seabreeze will have better luck today tending NE'ly 15/20 knots this afternoon.