It may not have been the strongest of winter racing for Sydney Harbour, but with a forecast of 20-25 knots and an expected 20mm of rain it was definitely predicting some exciting conditions.
Luckily for the competitors who ventured out to race, the rain held off until late in the afternoon once all crews were safely back at the Club.
With the usual start off Point Piper crews were greeted with 15 to 20 knots from the south-south-west. Throughout the race the conditions increased slightly with the conditions staying gusty as yachts made their way down the Harbour and back to Shark Island to complete their second lap.
John Griffith and his team on board the yacht Zara were reveling in the stronger conditions and went on to take first place in Division G.
“It was the best day we have had all season!” Said Griffin.
“This was our kind of wind, anything over 10-12 knots and she really gets going. Loves the big breese. We had the kite up on the first run and were pushing really hard but decided the second time round that we wouldn’t put it up and conserve it a little as the wind had increased a bit.”
Griffin has been racing at the Club for many years but only the past couple have been on his beautiful 1974 Cheoy Lee 47 ketch Zara.
“We had the boat Bennie and the Jets which we had success on and campaigned for a long time, but unfortunately it had an accident and was lost, so we decided to campaign this boat and we have been loving it ever since,” said Griffin.
With only two races left in the CYCA Winter Series, many crews are looking to solidify their positions in the overall leader board with multiple division have yachts currently ties for first place, with others only a couple of points separating podium positions.
This weeks Divisional winners listed below.
| Division | Boat | Owner |
| Spinnaker (PHS) | ||
| A1 | Zen | G Ketelbey |
| A2 | Minerva | T Cox |
| B | Quetzalcoatl | Bruce, Lee Warner, Sweetapple |
| D | Crosshaven | S Rahily & J Pelly |
| E | Menage a trois | K Matiszik |
| F | Lorelei | M Farr |
| G | Zara | J Griffin |
| Non-Spinnaker (PHS) | ||
| J1 | Limelight | A Husband |
| J2 | More Mischief | S Carr |
| K | Shorething | J Butler |
| Sydney 38 (PHS) | Shine On | P Herscovics |
| Sydney 38 (Scratch) | Advanced Philosophy | Peter Sorensen |
| IRC Div1 | Victoire | D Hodgkinson |
