Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

Hobart Combined Clubs Long Race Series Race 4

by Liz Rountree 4 Feb 2024 06:57 GMT 3 February 2024

Everything, everywhere, all at once

"It was a typical Derwent River breeze," according to Footloose skipper Stewart Geeves, "0 to 30 knots from all four points of the compass - sometimes at the same time!"

Saturday's Long Race of the Combined Clubs Series was "typical Derwent" as described by many of the sailors, which translates to vastly dynamic and a day for upsets in the scores. Hosting Royal Yacht Club's Race Management team did an excellent job making the most of the day, sending the crews as far as Seacroft Bay.

"[We had] a fantastic spinnaker run down the river after rounding the windward mark," says Joie de Vie skipper Ben Morgan who also expressed sincere gratitude for his crew's efforts. The team finished second in Division 3 behind Camlet Way.

But it wasn't that simple.

"Down at opossum bay it was an absolute drifter," reports Bryan Walpole of Invincible. And then after a seabreeze tickled in, "It swung back around to the North, a catabatic land breeze - which kept the crew on their toes," he continues, "We must have done 20 tacks all the way from Kingston up towards the finish."

He admits the crew was too busy to realise how well they were doing. In the end they used 6 different sails as well as multiple reef settings.

The effort paid off, Invincible won both Div 2 PHS and ORC handicaps ahead of Xcite. Footloose took the win on IRC over division leader IYKYK.

In Div 1, John Lawrie's Tenacity swiped the Line Honours win from usual suspects Fork in the Road and Jazz Player, with the ever-consistent Intrigue sneaking in just behind, proving that a bit of patience and instinct was the key ingredient of the day.

Ian Masters and his team on board Zephyr Insurance Masters put their Sydney to Hobart experience on display, winning PHS and taking 2nd on both IRC and ORC, behind series leader Intrigue. Both Heatwave Fish Frenzy and Joint Custody kept the pressure on, finishing 3rd on IRC and ORC respectively.

Most teams on the water used their entire suite of sails and multiple reefs.

"Hats off to our crew today," says Xcite skipper Nathan Mills, "Who did a terrific job constantly changing gears, working hard to keep the boat moving and keeping cool heads on a hot day."

"It was a really good learning curve for the team, including some newer crew members," Mills continues. "Sailing in a breeze that ranged from 0 to 30 kts and every direction imaginable meant we had to practice reefing and multiple headsail changes. By the finish we certainly felt our boat handling and teamwork had improved from previous races in the series."

Geeves agrees, "The highlight was the flawless performance of the crew carrying out numerous sail changes smoothly and at the right times."

The Dog House didn't make a showing in the end, decided the conditions were marginal with the reduced crew numbers they had for the weekend. Skipper Peter Coad says, "We're now preparing for the Bruny."

Stay tuned for next week's Bruny Island Race, the ultimate challenge of this season's Offshore Series.

Related Articles

Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 2
Philip Köster triumphs again in Pozo Izquierdo The 37th edition of the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup delivered a thrilling second day this Sunday, once again marked by strong winds and the talent of the world's best windsurfers. Posted today at 8:47 pm
A perfect start to the 5th annual AEGEAN 600
Cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind At the very southern end of the Greek mainland at Cape Sounion in Attica, today's start to the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600 was perfect: cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind. Posted today at 8:39 pm
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 4
One race, one storm, and one big lay day vibe With qualification wrapped and the fleet now split into six groups—Gold, Silver, Bronze, Emerald, Purple, and White—Day 4 of the 29er Europeans kicked off with early optimism and an earlier-than-usual launch in pursuit of the morning breeze. Posted today at 7:09 pm
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 1
Full foiling conditions launch the World Championship with four high-intensity races for both fleets The iQFOiL World Championship kicked off today in Aarhus with dynamic and demanding conditions that truly tested the world's top foiling windsurfers. The wind was anything but steady, shifting in both direction and intensity throughout the day. Posted today at 7:01 pm
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais overall
American Magic Quantum Racing win Rolex TP52 Worlds after breezy week in Cascais. Doug DeVos' American Magic Quantum Racing crew were crowned 2025 Rolex TP52 World Champions today in Cascais, Portugal. Posted today at 6:54 pm
Junior National Schools Championship at Itchenor
89 RS Fevas enjoy exhilarating sailing in beautiful Chichester Harbour The 2025 Junior Schools Week at Itchenor Sailing Club, sponsored by Magic Marine, brought together 89 RS Fevas for exhilarating youth sailing in beautiful Chichester Harbour. Posted today at 1:26 pm
£6500 raised for Morvargh Sailing Project
Local fundraising dinner at Langston House in Devon Langston House, a beautifully restored Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse, opened its gates for the first time on 18th June to host a magical midsummer fundraising evening. The event brought together the local community. Posted today at 1:21 pm
Red Bull Sailing Academy Opens
A new hub for current and future superstars to reach the top of their sport Marina Monfalcone, North Italy, made waves yesterday, as sports superstars gathered to open the Red Bull Sailing Academy, marking the beginning of a new era in the sport. Posted today at 12:53 pm
Vane A Jack Roberts Trophy at Fleetwood
Out comes the Dremel in the breaks A light wind forecast for Saturday and challenging day for the 4 entrants, with the far bank having most of the action. It seemed that the lunch break showed the most promising increase of wind. Posted today at 12:07 pm
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 1
Philip Köster edges out Marcilio Browne in one of the closest finals ever Philip Köster edges out Marcilio Browne in one of the closest finals ever as Pozo delivers 50 knot winds and waves. Posted today at 11:42 am
Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignAllen Dynamic 40 FooterMarine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso FOOTER