Carnage as big breeze sees racing abandoned
by Danielle McKay on 23 Feb 2008
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Farr 40 Voodoo Chile hit the skids early but recovered well to place third in the Farr 40 Division Bellerive Yacht Club’s Crown Series Regatta 2008 Jane Austin
Finishing was winning as winds in excess of 40 knots ravaged yachts at the Crown Series Bellerive Regatta forcing racing to be abandoned after only one race.
Each of the 20 divisions competing were marred with yachts unable to finish in the gruelling conditions that saw wipe-outs, collisions, protests and even broken masts.
For yachtsman Rhys Jones his debut Crown Series campaign came crashing down around him at the sound of two big crack forming in his mast.
“We were doing about 6 knots up to the top mark and we were coming about third then we heard two big noises,” said Jones.
“The main came crashing down on the deck where we all were and we just called out to check that everyone was ok and fortunately we were,” he said.
Whilst his crew had survived his regatta campaign had not, the crashing of the mast signalling an end to his regatta, with the thirty year old thirty-footer limping off the course for repairs.
Ironically Jones said they had been hoping for heavy winds because the boat is getting old and slow.
“Its funny when you get what you wish for, she‘s old and heavy so we need a solid breezes to get us going but I didn‘t expect this,” said Jones.
Bellerive Yacht Club’s manager Peter Smith said there were continued challenging times ahead for sailors with an ominous looking front looming on the weather maps.
“These conditions will be tough, but it’s these kinds of conditions that really test sailors, crews and the boats themselves,” said Smith.
“You can guarantee that in these winds the winners are always the best seamen and sailors on the course,” he said.
A storm course is ready to run if the conditions continue to be blustery tomorrow.
The Crown Series Bellerive Regatta is the premier event on Tasmania’s sailing calendar.
Records have been broken with 208 keel boats and yachts competing for the 2008 title.
Day three, the final day’s racing of the series, will continue tomorrow from 11 am.
LEADER BOARD:
KEEL BOATS:
Division one: First Host Plus Executive skippered by Jeff Cordell
Second Intrigue skippered by Don Calvert
Third Blue Chip skippered by Colin Denn
Farr 40s: First: Wired skippered by Stephen Boyes
Second: Voodoo Chile skippered by Andrew Hunn
Third: War Games skippered by Wayne Banks-Smith
Division two: First: Wings Three skippered by Peter Haros
Second: Hummingbird skippered by Andre Jenkins
Third: Tuesday’s Child skippered by Steve Walker
Division three: First: Okka skippered by Robert McKay
Second: Ruffian skippered by David Chamberlain
Third: Louise skippered by Larry Scott
9 Metre: First: Rousabout skippered by Grahame Inglis
Second: Trouble skippered by Dave Willams
Third: Saga skippered by the Saga syndicate
DINGHIES:
B14: First: Epic skippered by Chris Wells
Second: Alert skippered by Tim Grant
Third: Craftsman Homes skippered by Adrian Beswick
Sabot: First: Butt Out skippered by James Erwin
Second: Holy Mackerel skippered by Dylan Gore
Third: Xtreme skippered by William Millhouse
Sabre: First: Zxsiv skippered by Jeremy Fish
Second: Pirate Pete skippered by Peter Cooke
Third: Alchemy skippered by Matt Westland
Laser Radial: First: Morgan Express skippered Simon Morgan
Second: Hold on to Her skippered by Chris Jones
Third: Hardbeat skippered by Ben Price
International Cadet: First: Drop Bears helmed by Lewis Noye
Ns14 First: Spinifex skippered by Peter Davis
29er First: Free Radical skippered by Josh Johnston
For full results of today’s sailing please visit the Crown Series web-site: www.crown.belleriveyachtclub.com.au
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/42075
