Southern Oceans Multihull Regatta half time report

by Stuart Bloomfield on 10 Jan 2008 Sailing conditions have been excellent for the first four days of the Southern Oceans Multihull Regatta, and the race control and social venue provided by Hastings Yacht Club have ensured all competitors are enjoying fantastic sailing with a great social atmosphere after each days sailing.

The invitation race held on Sunday consisted of a lap around the Middle Spit in Westernport. The downwind leg along the narrow channel between the Spit and French Island was a challenge for the fleet with some competitors finding the mud and others (We Three) finding their off-season modifications did not stand up to the pressure. In the end line honours went to Redshift with Cascade winning both Performance handicap (PHS) and OMR Rating.

Race One (Monday) took the fleet on a 32nm course to Newhaven; starting in light conditions with many changes in position over the first two legs with more consistent conditions filling in from the South resulting in some spectacular spinnaker reaching conditions and close racing at all levels in the fleet. Unfortunately Vince on Trifle had some health problems with the trying conditions and had to withdraw from the race and possibly the regatta, our best wishes go out to him for a speedy recovery and many good races in the future. Sin had some spinnaker durability problems that were rectified overnight by Ullman Sails. Ultimately Redshift hung on to take line honours over a fast finishing but late starting Pacifica. Frassld bounced back from a poor invitation race to take the PHS win and Cascade used local knowledge and experience to take the win on OMR.

Race Two (Tuesday) took the fleet North around a mud bank known as Joes Isand, providing a navigation challenge for much of the fleet with Mark Stafford proving once again that you pay for your Sins by proving that Eagle Rock is harder than his daggerboard, however he successfully completed the race thanks to the inherant safety of multihull sailboats (and a big pump!). A number of boats (Frassld, Sea Sprinter and Sin) proved that using your spinnaker isn't always the fastest way to sail (particularly on a windward leg, even if it was downwind a few minutes earlier). Ultimately Redshift's speed prevailed to give them another line honours with Cascade continuing there winning streak winning on OMR with Rainbow Connection taking the PHS win.

Races Three and Four were held on Wednesday and consisted of Triangle courses. Shuttle nailed the start in the morning race but was soon overhauled by some of the faster boats. Fickle conditions led to some frustrated sailors and ultimately the race was shortened by one lap. The afternoon race had consistent fresh breezes providing some exciting racing. Redshift put in a great performance on the tight courses to take OMR victories in both races and clinched the line honours trophy by making it four wins from four starts. Sea Sprinter made the most of the tricky morning conditions to take PHS honours. In the afternoon Frassld showed what they could do with another win on PHS.

Tomorrow (Thursday) will be a lay day providing a much need rest for the fleet who are all looking forward to the remaing races on Friday and Saturday and a gala presentation evening, featuring live entertainment, on Saturday Night.

The Regatta is proving to be a great success with the hospitality of Hastings Yacht Club providing the sort of regatta experience and atmosphere that originally led to the popularity of the regatta in earlier years.