Spinnaker Tales

by Ian 'Stripey' Grant on 10 Oct 2007 Queensland yachtsman Graeme Wood is impressed with the performance of his Rolex Sydney-Hobart race challenger Wot Yot.

The exciting TP 52 class sloop Wot Yot showed she was on the pace when skipper Wood assisted by the talented Queensland tactician and crew coach Adrian Finglas won the line honours trophy in the 85n/ml Bird Island race last Sunday.

Wot Yot became engaged in a trophy match race with the famed maxi Brindabella (Andrew Short) and veteran Syd Fischer’s new TP52 Ragamuffin.

All three crews shared the lead at various stages with Wot Yot and Ragamuffin revelling on the spinnaker sailing run in the prevailing North West breeze.

Both crews sailing almost identical Trans Pac 52’s fought tenaciously to control the battle for the line honours trophy which remained in doubt until Wot Yot survived a late challenge from Brindabella to claim a 33 second win while Ragamuffin finished third another 1 minute 38 seconds astern.

'It was a great result for Graeme Wood and the Wot Yot crew in what was our first serious ocean race together'.

'They all worked tirelessly together and in the end the result capped a deserved reward'. Adrian Finglas said.

Wot Yot’s next real serious challenge will be over the gruelling 628 nautical mile Sydney to Hobart ‘torture track’ starting on Boxing Day and Bird Island race result will certainly boost the confidence for her popular owner skipper Graeme Wood to achieve his career best Hobart finish.

Wood finished an encouraging eighth in 2006 and the present form of Wot Yot suggests they will be a formidable challenger when they test their handicap rated speed against another international standard fleet including the 2007 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week champion the Geoffrey Ross skippered Yendys and the Brisbane to Great Keppel Island race winner Bill Wild’s Wedgetail.

Bill Wild, like Graeme Wood would like to become the first Queenslander to win the prestigious Sydney to Hobart trophy.

They both have fast yachts and experienced crews who have the proven skill and endurance to handle the challenge but their race result will be governed entirely by the weather factor.

'A moderate to fresh North East breeze would be the perfect forecast for Wedgetail'.

'We have made some radical changes to our spinnakers which gave us increased speed to win The Great Keppel Island race'.

'Hopefully we will get a favourable forecast to use them in the Hobart'. Sailing master Kevin Costin said.

While the forecast will be important the battle between the two promising crews will involve a private boat on boat match race as they duel for the honour of being the best Queenslander to finish and possibly the first to win the international blue water classic.

After the Hobart Wot Yot and Wedgetail will be prepared to race in the 60th Brisbane to Gladstone race where they will line up against the Sunshine Coast skipper Rod Jones and his Audi Australian championship winning crew.

The clash between these crews and dual Gladstone Race winner Bob Robertson of Caloundra is set to be a highlight in the 60th Anniversary race starting off the historical Sandgate Pier on Good Friday.