Two-handed CYCA yachts Mistral, Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth and Blue Planet claimed the monohull handicap wins in the 2023 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race.
CYCA Member Rupert Henry and co-skipper Greg O’Shea steered Rupert’s Lombard 34 Mistral to the overall win (IRC) in Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s 226 nautical mile race.
Andoo Comanche, steered by Member John Winning Jr, won Monohull Line Honours in 19 hours, 46 minutes and 40 seconds after enduring a frustratingly light start and soft conditions on the journey north.
CYCA Vice Commodore Sam Haynes’ TP52 Celestial was the second monohull over the line, followed by Geoff Hill’s Santa Cruz 72 Antipodes.
Mistral was the first two-handed entrant to finish the race, arriving in Coffs Harbour after just over 1 day, 9 hours and 11 minutes.
Rupert and Greg secured overall honours on IRC, 30 minutes and 28 seconds ahead of second-placed Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth. Craig Douglas’ Beneteau First 47.7 Popeye was third overall, ahead of two other CYCA boats – the two-handed Rum Rebellion, Shane Connelly’s J/99, co-skippered by Tony Sutton; and Michael Blaxell’s Dubois 30 Highway Patrol.
“It was a good double-handed fleet and weather-wise, it suited the smaller boats,” Rupert told RPAYC. “It was a good fleet all around. We were lucky the bigger, faster boats didn’t get too far away from us.
“We watched the other double-handers closely. We also picked fully crewed boats to keep up with, like Popeye, XS Moment (Ray Hudson) and Tempo (Michael Smith) – she sailed well.
“We didn’t have a lot of rest, but we had fun. All in all it was a soft race that suited the slippery designs like the J/99 (Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth), which was constantly snapping at our heels.”
Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth led a two-handed sweep of the ORC standings, taking out the handicap win from Blue Planet (Chris O’Neill/Ian Smith), Rum Rebellion, Mistral and Transcendence Crento (Martin Cross/John Cross).
“It was a fabulous race, a thinking race,” Jules said. “We were keeping a close eye on Mistral and they obviously sailed a fantastic race.
“Our start was good, but around Cape Three Points we were in a lull. Mistral got a jump on us at Newcastle as they were better placed when land breeze kicked in.”
Chris O’Neill’s J/99 Blue Planet claimed PHS honours, beating John Zagame’s Hanse 430e Kite Runner by just 8 seconds on corected time.
Other monohull divisional wins went to Popeye (IRC Division 1, ORC Division 1) and Tempo (Michael Smith).
