Race 2 of the 2024 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore – the 88nm Flinders Islet Race down to Wollongong and back – got underway at 1000hrs this morning in perfect sunshine and extremely light and fickle conditions.
The fleet of 33 entries faced tricky 4-6kt WNW breeze at the start and were then challenged by a number of significant holes smattered all over the racetrack. A few of the older, bigger, heavier boats struggled to get rolling and limp kites were a common sight around Sow and Pigs.
Most boats pushed over to the western shore initially; the favoured side where the TP52s KOA and Smuggler soon took advantage of a spurt of breeze and pulled away from a pack which included the mini maxis Whisper and URM Group. Calibre 12 was holding her own against the bigger competition.
At South Head, Smuggler outfoxed KOA to grab bragging rights as first out the Heads in what looks likely to be a good tussle down to Flinders Islet.
A large contingent of double handed entries were amongst the leaders; Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth again at the fore.
The last of the fleet were still leaving the Heads over an hour and a half after the start. It could be a long afternoon and night.
RACE TRACKER: https://bwps.cycaracing.com/tracker/
STANDINGS: https://bwps.cycaracing.com/standings/