The Swan 48 Loki leads as great Swan weather kicks in
by Rob Kothe on 8 Apr 2001
Loki Rachel Nahum
As the fleet accelerates northwards in strengthening breezes, Stephen Ainsworth's Swan 48 Loki is leading the IRC division in the Forrester Properties Sydney to Mooloolaba race.
Only experience, concentration and good tactical sailing, which enabled the heavyweight luxury cruiser-racer to keep rolling during the light and fluky, conditions overnight.
The breeze, which varied between 2 and 12 knots, initially from the NNE, then northWest came and went.
The mid-bulk of the fleet parked off Cape Three Points, and the boats that deliberately or accidentally stayed offshore did best.
However by 1pm this afternoon, off Laurieton the North-easter came in at 20-23 knots. The solid breeze soon produced wind waves, which topped the swell rolling down the coast under the Coral Sea cyclonic influence, which produces lumping unpleasant conditions.
The lighter boats suffer more in these conditions, while in contrast its great weather for a heavyweight such as Loki, which just rolls on and on.
Another European boat the Danish X-Yacht 442 Crossing is now placed second under IRC, with the two Cookson 12's Occasional Coarse Language and No Fearr which have been duelling, tack for tack up the beach-line.
Martin Booker's JB Were Barking Mad is next and the three IRC big boats, Wild Thing, Infinity II and Xena are tail end Charlies under handicap.
The seaway is likely to improve their fleet position, particularly the heavily water ballasted 25 metre giant Wild Thing.
However, as Stephen Ainsworth said on the dock at the CYCA, 'We've some good placing's including third in the Swan Worlds…now we'd like a win.'
The great Swan weather may just deliver their chance.
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