With a stronger prevailing wind the usual slow start to a Winter Series race was this week a little faster. Race 4 of the series saw teams starting in a north-westerly breeze which unlike many similar winter days did not make its way around the east but varied between north west and west south west.
One crew who was able to make the most of the day and take their place on the top step of the podium was Sinewave skippered by Greg Mason in PHS DivD.
“We were a bit surprised that the wind came up so much from what the forecast was predicting. We had about 15 knots from the north west which was quite a good range for us,” said Mason
“We were able to make the most gains by using out asymmetrical spinnaker which not all the yachts in our division carry. Once we rounded Bradleys Head it was quite shy as we headed up the harbour but managed to be able to hold the spinnaker. That gave us a big leg up over the rest of the fleet, as well as missing a few of the holes.”
With the softening breeze across the course, it was the gains that were made early on in the race that counted the most with the whole fleet slowing and many getting caught in patches of no wind. With such varying conditions across not only the individual races but across the whole series, it has meant that yachts with differing strengths have been able to have their day in the lead.
“It was a brilliant day, lovely winter weather. It’s been a good series so far with a different winner every week in our division which is pleasing. I just hope that the handicapper is going to be kind to us,” said Mason.
| Division | Boat | Owner |
| Spinnaker (PHS) | ||
| A1 | Duende | Damien Parkes |
| A2 | Borderline | Andy Offord |
| B | Rum Jungle | Scott Russell |
| D | Sinewave | Greg Mason |
| E | Foreign Affair | Matt Wilkinson |
| F | Great White | Bob Penty |
| G | Highway Patrol | Michael Blaxell |
| Non-Spinnaker (PHS) | ||
| J1 | Cadenza | Gunnar Tuisk |
| J2 | Lahara II | Glenn Crane |
| K | Shorething | Jimmy Butler |
| Sydney 38 (PHS) | Thirlmere | Mike Logan |
| Sydney 38 (Scratch) | Advanced Philosophy | Peter Sorensen |
| IRC Div1 | Victoire | Darryl Hodgkinson |
