Indian Chief takes line honors in LCMR race

by Darren Drew on 4 Oct 2008 Indian Chief takes line honors in APC Logistics Lock Crowther Memorial Regatta offshore race by a a bit more than a bow sprit from Voodoo Spirit. In blustery 20 - 30 knot winds Darren Drew's Indian Chief and Doug Cumming's Voodoo Spirit battled it out for line honors in the first race of the 3 day regatta.

Both boats were clocking speeds in the mid twenties as they raced each other side by side along Sydney's Northern Beach's coastline. Top speed on the Chief was 25.6 knots with long runs above 20 knots. For the entire 22 mile race there was never more than a couple of minutes between these two evenly rated 31 foot Multis with the Chief taking the gun close to 40 seconds in front of Voodoo Spirit.

There were some nervous moments on Indian Chief when the boats re-entered Pittwater beside each other and popped kits to take them to the finish line off the Royal Motor Yacht Club. Half way down Pittwater whilst in front the Chief's kite downhaul block parted company with the bow sprit forcing them to drop the kite and continue on under screecher.

Third across the line was Stephen Barton's Grainger MTB 30 Tri Big Bird just in front of Robin Ottawa's Farrier 28R Summit.

Tomorrow promises to be another great day for racing with good winds predicted on Pittwater with a fleet of around 30 boats.