Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series on River Derwent in Hobart
by Jane Austin 2 Feb 2020 02:41 PST
1 February 2020
Lock on Wood Young One and Groove On the start line - Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series 2020 © Jane Austin
Heatwave, skippered by Matt Keal from the Bellerive Yacht Club, was on fire in this weekend's Combined Club's Summer Pennant Series with a win on performance handicap in Division One.
Heatwave usually chases Intrigue (Don Calvert), Whistler (Drew Latham) and Ed Psaltis (Midnight Rambler) home but Saturday's racing turned the tables with Heatwave finishing in front.
Racing started in a south-southwest 10 knot breeze against a backdrop of moody skies, with the breeze flicking between southeast and northeast throughout the day. The forecast heavy rain and thunderstorms didn't eventuate giving the fleet near perfect sailing conditions.
Race Officer Biddy Badenach sent the Division One fleet to Green Island, while Division Two went to Bligh Point, at the top of Bruny Island. Divisions Three and Four went to a mark at Seacroft Bay, across to Pierson's Point then home.
Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania Sailing Manager, Nick Hutton, described the sailing as a "lottery" with relatively easy conditions for the fleet, a sentiment echoed by Keal. "We definitely had a bit of luck out there today and came through with a strong result. I think our main advantage was sailing closer to the mainland which enabled us to carry a bit more breeze throughout the race. We always have a good race with the other Mumm 36s, and we always sail close races with Whistler and Intrigue, so today felt good, said Keal."
On PHS, Heatwave took first place from Fork in the Road (Gary Smith) and Whistler. Rumbeat (Justin Barr) won Division Two from Frontline (Ian Snape) and Twitch (Twitch Syndicate). Serica (Charles Peacock) took out Division Three from Wildfire (Team Wildfire) and Footloose (Stewart Geeves). Kindred Spirit (Peter Alcock) won Division Four from Hornet (Neville Georgeson) and Wayatih (Allan Morgan).
In IRC results, Midnight Rambler took out Division One from Whistler and Dr Who (Roger Jackman). Rumbeat won Division Two from Wings Three (Peter Haros) and Frontline, while Young Lion (Steve Chau) won Division Three.
In AMS, Midnight Rambler took out Division One from Whistler and Intrigue. Division Two was won by Rumbeat, followed by 42 South (Mark Ballard) and Wings Three. Division Three was won by Young One from Young Lion and Footloose.