Three Peaks race - Fast overnight leg
by Terry Travers on 8 Apr 2012
Despite a grounding and spending a full day on the beach, Haphazard was refloated without damage - Tasmanian Three Peaks Race Paul Scambler
Competitors in the 2012 H&R Block Three Peaks race have made fast passage down the Tasmanian east coast after being held in Flinders Island for wild weather to abate.
Initially negotiating the Vansitaart Shoals under reduced sail, Mobile Travel Agents Big Wave Rider raised more sail and surged to the lead which they extended to nearly two hours by the time the reached Coles Bay.
Overnight the crew of Haphazard with local assistance refloated the stranded yacht from White Beach at Lady Barron where inspection revealed no damage and she will be sailed home to Beauty Point.
Following MTA into Coles Bay were the other three big catamarans; Peccadillo arriving second having passed Deguello after clearing Schouten Passage, with Euphoria Furniture a further hour behind.
Andrew Jones’ Advantedge, the leading monohull, made the journey from Flinders Island with just a storm trysail as their mainsail was seriously damaged during the Good Friday evening gale, but still managed to stay close to the cats.
Next monohull into Coles Bay was Julian Robinson's Apollonius whose runners gave them an advantage with a fast run on Flinders Island.
Mobile Travel Agents BWR left Coles Bay at 1.20pm and will be expected to arrive in Hobart early on Easter Monday morning.
The three retirements remain Haphazard, UK Teams Challenge, and Whistler Sport.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/95821
