Battle of the Bavarias in HSBC Coastal Classic
by Jane Pares, International Marine Brokers on 27 Oct 2006
The start of the HSBC Coastal Classic viewed from Kriselda Jane Pares - IMB
Jane Pares reports on the trials and tribulations of six Bavarias in the HSBC Coastal Classic last weekend.
Amongst the Bavarias starting in the Classic were: Bavarian Wave with Quintin Fowler at the helm; Pebble Rebel with IMB's Duthie Lidgard and the owner Bill Bryford; Time Lord sailed by Keith Munro and crew; and IMB's Jane Pares on Kriselda the B39 with the owner Peter Jansen.
When the wind dies to a puff and you’re heading towards Chile without enough food or water to sustain your crew, it’s time to fire up the iron sail.
Such it was for the likes of us on Kriselda, one of six Bavarias in the Coastal Classic. We had a fantastic run as far as Tutukaka, with Kriselda a Bavaria 39, revelling in the conditions.
Galloping along with a top speed of 9.9 knots, (11.4 on the Bavaria 46), we clawed our way up through the fleet, leaving bigger boats in our wake. We were left in no doubt as to her performance and her favourite point of sail. If only the wind hadn’t abandoned us .....
Our determination to cross the finish line was overpowered by the prospect of a leisurely return down the coast, a peaceful night in Kawau and the remains of a holiday weekend tucked up at home. Besides that we had several bottles of wine and a fridge full of food to dispose of before tying back up at the marina. So we accepted our mission and pulled into Mimiwhangata.
Fortunately Bavarian honour was upheld by Slipknot the Match 38, Bavarian Wave a 44 Cruiser, Pebble Rebel a 46 Cruiser and Time Lord a 50 Cruiser, who all made it to Russell.
But taking four and a half hours from Tapeka Point to Russell isn’t going to put you at the top of the results table, even though you’ve had a fabulous run up to Cape Brett.
Analysis of the reporting times at Kawau, Tututaka and Cape Brett pleased our owners and crews immensely with some impressive times, well ahead of many like boats and even some racers.
So it was disappointing that the impressive performances on the way up were swallowed up in the final stretch. I guess that’s what racing is about though and anyway everyone was in the same boat!
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/28413
