Fremantle to Bali 2011 rally yachts make social calls
by Bernie Kaaks on 26 Apr 2011
Gotta keep the beer cold! Marco Polo in Geraldton for refrigeration repairs. - Visit Indonesia Fremantle Bali 2011 Bernie Kaaks - copyright
Yesterday it was A’Bientot and Ice Cube which made unscheduled stops, today it was the turn of Bob Kucera’s Marco Polo and Peter Spencer’s Farruca which decided to break the journey, with both calling into Geraldton for repairs, Marco Polo with refrigeration problems and Farruca with what appears to be a generator problem. Both will take the opportunity to socialise with members from Geraldton Yacht Club, who were waiting to welcome them on arrival.
At this afternoon’s position report, both A’Bientot and Ice Cube indicated that they, too, will make overnight stopovers in Geraldton.
In the midst of the Rally’s social agenda, Rod Mulcahy’s Slipstream is bowling along at the head of the fleet, and facing the long haul along the infamous Zuytdorp Cliffs. Terry Baker’s Duncanson 43 Miss Saigon is next, passing the last of the islands of the Houtman Abrolhos.
Behind them, close inshore near Horrocks Beach are Sandale and Scaramouche, while Farr Lap and Sovereign I are passing between Geraldton and the Abrolhos.
Knot Dreaming, which has been doing a sterling job in relaying radio calls when some yachts have been unable to call back to Fremantle, is keeping company with Glasshopper, now well past Dongara, while Comet has opted to steer well out to sea, a decision she may well regret if she encounters similar conditions to Trade Winds V earlier today.
Trade Winds V opted to sail well out to sea yesterday, and languished there for some five hours today in no breeze, being dragged back towards Fremantle at half a knot by the Leeuwin current. She has changed course to close on the coast a little from her earlier position and is charging along at a healthy 7 knots, rapidly closing in on A’Bientot at the rear of the fleet.
All eyes are now on the race fleet, which is scheduled to leave Fremantle at noon tomorrow with ideal conditions Event website
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