The Short Haul Pointscore fleet was met with a sunny southerly for Race 3 of the summer series. The wind was strong, reaching up to 30 knots on the racecourse, making for extremely shifty and challenging conditions during the Saturday afternoon race.
The crew of Bavaria Cruiser 41 Defiant were one of the six boats that battled the blustery conditions.
“We went into today’s race expecting 15-20 knots,” explained Pete McGee who co-owns Defiant with Commodore Paul Billingham.
“We got off the start for an up and down run out the harbour, with the tide going out to settle in for the stroll to the seamark. With an unusually small fleet of six, it was still a thrilling race with a tight tussle among the leading four or five of us.”
While McGee described the first part of the race as a “cruise” he began to describe the conditions that they were met with later in the afternoon.
“The cruise was over at the mark, and as we gybed, we got hit with a 26-knot gust! That set the tone for the return leg through the heads and down to Manly.
“Ultimately, the breeze truly let us know that the crew would feel the effects of the conditions, tomorrow with an intense trimming session in 25 knots, while a couple of 30-knot bullets came through the fleet on the way back to the finish in Rushcutters Bay.
“We know we have worked hard when the chips and snakes don’t come out during the race, but we welcomed hot chips, wedges and a beer as always after the finish which heals all wounds.” McGee finished.
Alan Husband’s Limelight took first place, while Gunnar Tuisk’s Cadenza finished in second, closely followed by George Girdis’ Marloo.
The Short Haul Pointscore Series will continue with Race 4, the first of the night harbour races, 1830hrs Friday 11 October.
