True Love challenged by Surefoot

by Ian Grant on 26 Jun 2006 series
Monday, 26 June 2006
Ian Grant:


Roger Down has pledged a personal loyalty in selecting the name of True Love for his yacht. Last week skipper Down and crew piloted True Love to a narrow 5 second win in the important third race of the Cumberland Charter Yachts trophy series.

They reflected their love for racing in a more consistent wind when True Love powered by the 20-25 knot breeze became deadlocked with the equally well sailed Surefoot to claim the deserved win in a race which was hotly contested over all legs of the course.

Fortunately the True Love crew hung on in spite of the Surefoot crew making a late challenge before the winning margin was finally established just metres from the finish to the race.

The Peter Norlin designed Surefoot which has the distinction of representing the Royal Papua Yacht Club in the Admirals Cup is always a top contender when the stronger breezes torment the sea surface and this was again demonstrated when skipper Rod Sawyer held the chance to log the fastest corrected course time.

Surefoot rating .815 seemed to have saved her time but the crew on the lower .800 handicapped True Love beat the race clock to spoil the post race celebrations for their rivals when they claimed the win in a very tight and exciting finish.

The performance of True Love and Surefoot helped to compact the point score when they forced the Jason Randell helmed Turtle Time to accept third place while two heat winner Kevin Fogarty’s Idle Time failed in the stronger wind to place her trophy winning chances in damage control with a fifth place.

After three intensely competitive races the Whitsunday Sailing Club champion Idle Time tentatively holds the lead on count back with her 1-1-5 score while Turtle Time continues to apply the pressure with her 2-2-3 results.

Both crews enjoy a six point buffer over third placed Treasure which sets a boat on boat match race in place on Pioneer Bay this week to decide which crew will be required to make space in the cabinet for the Cumberland Charter Yachts trophy.

The Idle Time crew has proved they know how to win and they will need to repeat the performance as Jason Randell and his Turtle Time crew are equally determined to claim the ‘bragging rites’ at the bar following what promises to be a spirited final later this week.