Hobart Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series - First long race of the series
by Jane Austin 24 Oct 23:58 PDT
25 October 2020
Division One Start - Hobart Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series © Cllint Taylor
Fluky conditions and red hot racing dominated sailing in the first long race of Saturday's Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series. The fleet started the day in a light south-westerly breeze which swung to west nor'west later in the day, gusting to 25 knots. The variable conditions saw plenty of holes in the breeze which led to frequent position changes and made carrying a kite difficult on the homeward leg.
Tilt, a Marten 49 skippered by Peter Cretan, and Fork in the Road, a Bakewell-white design skippered by Gary Smith, showed their sailing prowess and determination on the water sailing the entire race within 100 metres of each other. Both teams stormed towards the finish line on a power reach with Fork in the Road taking the gun a mere seven seconds ahead of Tilt.
Race Officer Grant Sutton sent the top division from the River Derwent to Black Jack Rocks, Yellow Bluff and home. Honours on the day went to Tilt on PHS, Dr Who (Roger Jackman) on IRC and Fork in the Road on AMS.
The Division Two fleet sailed from the mid-river start to Black Jack Rocks and back. Mark Ballard's 42 Degrees South took line honours and won on PHS and AMS, while Glenn Roper's Natelle Two won on IRC.
The Division Three and Four fleets, sailing a 21.8 nautical mile race to Seacroft Bay and Piersons Point, struggled when the gusty westerly breeze hit the fleet, laying a few boats over as they attempted to round the Piersons Point mark. Steve Chau's Young Lion had a sensational day, picking the breeze perfectly to take line honours and victory on IRC and AMS. Invincible (Bryan Walpole) was second home and second on PHS with Brian Fleming's Northshore 33, Miss Conduct taking the PHS chocolates.
Innovator (skippered by Ian Smith and Dean Aberle) was first across the line in Division Four while Kindred Spirit, under the guidance of skipper Peter Alcock, won on PHS.