Marshall Engineering extends Three Peaks lead

by Terry Travers on 16 Apr 2006 Runaway leader in the Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race, Devonport catamaran Marshall Engineering departed Coles Bay for the final sailing leg to Hobart at 5.28pm. Runners Mark Guy and Paul McKenzie completed the rugged Mt Freycinet track in 4 hours, 28 minutes, 37 seconds, just 18 minutes outside the record set in 1997.

Earlier at 4pm radio sched the two Farr 37's UTAS Quality Equipment and Pippin were separated by just two miles south of St Helens Point, with Intrepid and City of West Tamar neck and neck a further five miles astern. Sole NSW entrant Alize was north of St Helens crossing the Bay of Fires.

Of the tail enders that departed Lady Barron port on Flinders Island this morning, Clipsal and Apollonius were still off Cape Barren Island.

Second placed yacht, and first in the fully crewed division, BSH Electrical Team Q docked at 8.02pm with two ill crew members taken ashore; helmsman Mick Hawes and runner Sean Mennitz. Sailor Jory Linscott volunteered to fill the role of standby runner and accompany John Claridge departing race control under a near full moon at 8.07pm.


Next yachts are expected into Coles Bay around midnight with the race leader, defending champion Marshall Engineering, expected into Hobart mid-morning Monday.