The Perfect Night, the Perfect Angle for Mumm 30 in Mooloolaba race

by Rob Kothe on 10 Apr 2003 Jaws dropped on the 47 footer Intercall Ausmaid this afternoon, when once more they found they were sailing with the little Mumm 30 Tow Truck, after 250 miles of the 2003 Sydney to Mooloolaba race.

There were hoops and hollers aboard the wettest boat in the fleet, the Lake Macquarie entry Tow Truck, as the sked positions were called 26 hours into the race.

Still ahead of a raft of 50 and 60 footers, the boys were pumped up.

Skipper Brett Philby explained, above the cheers by phone.

‘We had a sensational night. It was the perfect night, the perfect angle for us. For most of the night we had a smallish fractional 0.75 spinnaker. I think we’ve only ever used it twice on the boat before.

We had everyone on the rail all night and we just kept surfing at 16’s and 17’s. The boys just loved it.

We were up to our knees in water, but it was one of the best night sailing we’ve ever had.

We knew we were going well, but we did not realize just how well, till the sked.

We were well offshore. probably further than we thought we should be, but no one wanted to stop the surfing. We were waiting to see if it was best inside or outside, so we’ve come inshore and now we have the answer.

Now we come to the difficult tactical bit of the race…but I have to tell you that I am saying that with a big grin on my face.’