Wind off the Antarctic for Westcoaster fleet

by Jennifer McGuigan on 28 Dec 2006 The fleet in the Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart race were tonight hugging the coast as they work their way south in bone chilling conditions.

Lead boat, Matt Hannaford's No Fearr is still five miles ahead of Jeff Otter’s Icefire with David Phillips Hasta La Vista a further five miles back.

The fleet is spread from Sandy Cape in the South to West Cape at the northern end. Hannaford abeam of Sandy Cape is reporting winds at 30 knots and confused swell causing uncomfortable conditions for the fleet.

The breeze has turned south south easterly and is coming from Antarctica making for cold conditions for those on deck. Hannaford reported that the density of the cold air has multiplied the wind effect and that they are using their smallest jib.

With an horizon of five miles many of the fleet would have been in visual contact with each other prior to the fall of darkness.

Sally Rattle’s Hobart based Archie is only two miles behind the leaders and is two miles ahead of a group of boats including Don Fraser’s Elektra, which has now moved onto the rhumbline from their previous position out to sea. Richard McGarvie’s Addiction and Robin Hewitt’s Yoko are fending off Bill Morgan’s Tevake and Laurie Ford’s Varta Spirit of Downunder, both of which reported the same position at this sched, five miles south of West Point.

Three miles further back finds Bill Feore’s Plantronics Voyager one mile ahead of Eddie Raguskas’s A Crewed Interest a mile ahead of Phil Bedlington’s Under Capricorn.

Allan Schafer’s Pilara is near to West Point and the Port Fairy based Affrayed Knot of Doug Abbott’s is off Cape Grim. John Geist in Ruthless if off the Hunter Islands, whilst Appollonius with skipper Julian Robinson is still amongst the Hunter group. They are followed by the now retired Joint Venture and Duncan Hines Coogans Stores bringing up the rear approximately 14 miles south of Grassy, King Island.

Most of the fleet are travelling well inshore many are less than a mile from the shore.

Earlier today Matt Hannaford had reported that whilst they are eating well they are too busy to write emails or cook hot food. With the icy conditions and bumpy seas it is expected that the fleet will have a cold and uncomfortable night.

Hannaford’s ETA remains Saturday afternoon but this fleet has a long way to travel on this treacherous West Coast and with the lead boats so close anything could happen.