Wild Child retires from the 2002 Tranz Tasman

by Rob Kothe on 28 Apr 2002 At 12 noon today, Wollongong sailor Phil Bowers advised race control that continuing rudder problems aboard his little Mini Transat 6.5 metre 'Wild Child' had forced them to retire from the 1160 mile Tranz Race.

'Wild Child' had turn back towards Sydney and at this afternoon sked to she was only 114 miles east south east of Sydney and was expected to arrive around dawn tomorrow, being blown home by a solid 20-25 knot south easterly.

Race leader 'Sayernara' has continued to average 10 knots during the day and reported she was 213 miles south west of Lord Howe Island, sailing in a strengthening southeasterly which was gusting to 30 knots.

'Sayernara' was designed and built by Jon Sayer/Allyacht spars for SSAA President Rob Drury for the 1999 Melbourne-Osaka classic which she won in fine style, following that win by winning this race in 2000.

The new owner Anthony Day who only completed his purchase a few days before the race started, is an Etchell and Sydney 38 sailor out of Hong Kong and he and Kiwi sailor Mark Findlay have had Sayernara flying today.

During the day she has sailed a knot faster than her nearest competitor South Australia's 'Spirit of Down Under' (Vince Lamond & Ian Schmidt) who is now 11 miles behind.

Phil and Josh Hearse have pushed their Beneteau 45 'Anteater' into third place, some twenty-seven miles back.

A relaxed Mike Thurston reported from his magnificent green-hulled 'Drina' by sat phone a few minutes ago, (18:30 AEST) that he was averaging in the mid eights, and was trying to climb up to 'Anteater's' line. After fast reaching last night and into the morning, 'Drina' was now sailing almost close hauled with a full main and reduced genoa, in slight seas.

Thurston was expecting increasing winds during the night, with up to 30 knots and is hoping his heavyweight 'Drina' can overhaul 'Anteater' who is two miles ahead.

Chris Sayer's Mini-Transat 'Up the Blue' who reported late at this morning sked had fallen back and was now 12 miles behind 'Drina' and was still 9 miles to the north. Still amazing for such a small boat

The long time Carina builder Paul Kelly had his 'Touchstone' on Drina's line.

Retirement: 'Liberty' - Open 60 - John Biddlecombe & John Bankart (now retired back to Sydney, after suffering hull delamination)

'Wild Child' - Mini Transat 6.5 metre - Phil Bowers (returning to Sydney, with rudder problems)

To discover more about Short Handed sailing go to http://www.ssaa.com.au

Sail-World will be providing mid-race sked information as it regularly does for offshore races. The event mini-site is at http://www.sail-world.com/tranztas

About an hour after each sked, the SSAA is posting the radio sked positions, which will display on the Sydney to Auckland charts.

Skeds are at 7:45 and 16:45, progressive handicap positions; distances to the finish along with computed ETA's will be also displayed.

The latest sked can be viewed here

http://www.sail-world.com/tranztas/index.cfm?SRSID=38

For more information on Australia's Pentacomstat http://www.pentacomstat.com.au