Port Cygnet Regatta on Tasmania's D'Entrecasteaux Channel
by Jeff Rowe 13 Mar 2020 04:16 PDT
6-8 March 2020
Spinnaker spectacle in the Port Cygnet Regatta © Jessica Coughlan
Regatta director Jeff Rowe summarises another outstanding weekend at the iconic Port Cygnet Regatta, an event first held in 1863.
Tasmania's Eight Hour weekend, March 6, 7 and 8 is the opportunity for Hobart's finest yachts to sail south and compete in the annual Port Cygnet on the d'Entrecasteaux Channel.
This Regatta, first run back in 1863, has been a favourite for many years, regularly drawing fleets of fifty plus yachts.
The 2020 Regatta series comprises four races. On the Friday a fleet of yachts started in Port Cygnet and raced to Kettering whilst a second fleet of Hobart yachts raced from the Castray Start Box in Sandy Bay Hobart, also sailing to Kettering.
Both fleets start at 11.00am and finish off Oyster Cove, Kettering, at around the same time. It is approximately three to four hours sailing time in each direction, allowing both fleets to enjoy the sensational evening hospitality provided by Kettering Yacht Club.
This year the Cygnet to Kettering leg was won by 'Fleetwing,' a Farrier F9A (31') from Port Cygnet Sailing Club, in a record time of 2 hours 5 minutes. The Hobart leg was won by Gretel 11 of America's Cup fame, from the Royal Yacht Cub of Tasmanian, in a time of 2 hours 33 minutes. Gretel 11 incidentally celebrates her 50th year in April 2020.
Weather for this leg was strong with gusty winds to 35 knots from the south. Surprisingly, there were few retirements from both races, however, several yachts experienced shredded headsails with one capsizing, fortunately quickly righted. (Catherine M).
Saturday saw the whole fleet of 48 on the start line just off Kettering. The start gun was fired at 12 noon to race back to Port Cygnet.
Mother nature decided to play her hand just as the start gun fired. She slammed a rainsquall up the d'Entrecasteaux Channel into the fleet, dumping heavy rain and winds of up to 30 knots into the sailor's faces.
Once the squall passed through, the fleet the yachts experienced numerous 'holes' until rounding Huon Island.
The Regatta Race Control decided to shorten the course at Cygnet Point which allowed all competitors a pleasant spinnaker run up the Huon River in a freshening southerly to the finish.
The Kettering to Cygnet race was won by 'RQSIX' a Farr 36', crossing the line with a finish time of 15 hours, 32 minutes.
Once across the line it didn't take competitors long to hit the Cygnet Sailing Club's long bar and welcoming hospitality which included a Spit Roast and live music by the 'Daystar Duo'.
Sunday morning, the day of the Port Cygnet Regatta, dawned grey and calm. Organisers had worried looks on their faces however the good weather gods didn't let them down.
With a Division 2 start time set for 12.30pm and 1.00pm for Division 1, the sky lightened and a 5-10 knot sparkling s/westerly appeared.
Port Cygnet turned on a sight for sore eyes with a mixed fleet of 46 hot racers mixing with graceful classics most of which, because of the light conditions, carried colourful spinnakers.
The day ended back in the Port Cygnet Clubhouse with a presentation to the winners of the various categories. First prize was awarded to RAD, a Radford R35L. The Classic Division winner was the beautiful 8 metre yacht VARG, skippered Kraig Carlstom,
The grand prize for Overall Regatta winner, with the best point score from all races was RAD, skippered by Brent Mackay from Kettering Yacht Club, one of the active sailing clubs down the Channel.
The packed Clubhouse was then treated to more Port Cygnet hospitality that included numerous re-runs of the races over great food and liquid refreshment, with an invitation to come back and do it again next year!
Complete details of competitors, their times and positions in each race: cygnetsailing.org.au/home