2017 CYCA Trophy Series: Tough fight on Day 1 - with video
by Crosbie Lorimer 9 Dec 2017 01:43 PST
9-10 December 2017
Beau Geste - 2017 CYCA Trophy Series - Day 1 © Crosbie Lorimer
With barely two weeks remaining before the start of the 2017 edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the two day CYCA Trophy Series is a final opportunity for competitors to fine tune their preparations in competition.
For the 21 boats that competed on Saturday the weather on Day 1 of the series was far from the testing conditions that the fleet might expect in a fortnight's time, with a light 8-10 knot southeaster for much of the race.
The competition was however close, with the Oatley family's Wild Oats XI giving Peter Harburg's Black Jack 100 some early notice that her much-vaunted light air advantage is not unassailable, beating her near-sister yacht home by three minutes.
Overall however, it was Larki Missiris' Sydney 38, Raywhiteelizabethbay, which took the win on IRC ahead of Howard Piggott's Beneteau First 40, Flying Cloud, in second, and Steven Proud's Kernan 44, Swish. The same group filled out the top three spots on IRC division 2.
Tony Kirby’s Ker 46, Patrice, took the win on IRC division 1, with West Australian Craig Carter’s Indian (Carkeek 47) from WA was second, and the Oatley Family’s Wild Oats X (Reichel-Pugh 66)in third.
Crosbie Lorimer of Bow Caddy Media was out on the water and followed the fleet out of the Heads to take these images.