Three retirements but Three Peaks Race goes on

by Terry Travers on 7 Apr 2012 The last teams in the H&R Block Three Peaks Race departed Lady Barron township on Flinders Island late this afternoon following a wind blown day at sea and ashore.

Haphazard was aground on White Beach with all crew safe but out of the race. Further south Whistler Sport and UK Peaks Challenge also retired and were motor sailing south towards Coles Bay leaving nine teams still competing.

Despite fighting against winds of 50 knots on Mt Strzelecki, running teams still put in fast times of just over six hours for the 65 kilometre run. But with gale force winds persisting organisers took the prudent decision to delay yachts’ departures until conditions abated sufficiently.

By two o’clock local advice indicated that the exit past the Pot Boil and Vansitaart Shoals could be negotiated without undue risk and the race committee broadcast the decision that skippers could set out on the second sailing leg once they were satisfied their boat and crew were seaworthy.

Three running teams were still on the mountain but the other six yachts put to sea once they could effect an orderly exit from their moorings at the wharf, and raise their small storm sails.

Shortly before 7pm the yacht track system showed Mobile Travel Agents leading the back as the yachts made their way south towards the Tasmanian east Three Peaks Race website