Alacrity wins Brisbane to Noumea Yact Race

by Kelvin Holdt on 8 Jun 2012 Southport Yacht Club's Vice Commodore Mathew Percy and his crew of Alacrity a Benteau 44.7 have taken line honours and first on IRC in this year's Brisbane to Noumea Yacht Race.

The race was started in light winds with Alacrity carrying their carried A2 for a while, Patriot the J133 was leading early in the bay but Alacrity ahd taken the lead by Tangalooma. We had to anchor (kedge) for nearly 1 hour when there was no breeze ......

'It was dark and we were still in Morton bay when a thick fog descended on the fleet so thick could not see nav lights the front of boat. It took 12 hours to do first 30 miles to get out of the bay with Alacrity, Wasabi the Sayer 40 and Patriot close together followed by Carbon Credits a Beneteau 45 and Blunderbuss a Benteau 40 First.

'The first night was moderate breezes that built overnight to 12-15 and confused seas and a spinnaker up for the rest of the race. Next day breezes were approx 18-20 we went south of rhumb line and carried long gybes. Second night breezes built we changed to S3 and rain came through in squalls.

'Speed record was 17.6 early with Vaughan steering, then 18.8 with bobby steering and later in the night was topped at 19.8 with Matt at the helm. Gusts were up to 36 knots and large swells but the boat handled it well. Next day was 24 hours of 18-26 knots and each watch blended into the next. We stuck close to the rhumb line a lot of the way and really had mainly breeze from 250-270 degrees all the way.

'We blew out the A2, damaged the S3 but not much else - damage wise.

'Final day was 12-18 knots but we kept good pace and later in the day built to 20 -22 knots for the last 100 miles. We celebrated Bobby's birthday with balloons and flags and a fresh baked chocolate cake on Thursday.

'After sailing downwind for 95% of race we came in through the reef and hoisted #1 heavy and the boys hit the rail for the last 10 miles, the first time for 750 miles!

'Enjoyed a couple of beers in the last hour of the race to the finish line and finished about 4 pm after 98 hours sailing, first over the line, first on IRC and all in good health and spirits, all stunk! Food for the trip was awesome with home made meals - stroganoff , chicken in white wine, lasagna and bread rolls, fried rice and chicken wings. As normal Tiny (Mathew) overcatered .......

'The welcome here has been very good and recommend all members look at doing this race in the future.'

Alacrity
Beneteau First 44.7

Skipper/Owner: Matthew Percy
Crew 1 Colin Maslen
Crew 2 Raymond Smith
Crew 3 Thomas Blackhurst
Crew 4 Ryan Binedall
Crew 5 Vaughan Prentice
Crew 6 Michael Warwick
Crew 7 Phillip Gadd
Crew 8 Steven Korn
Crew 9 Robert Wilmot
Crew 10 Rodney Targa