With the outcome of race nine on 19 January still subject to appeal, the Short Haul fleet got back to business on Friday night with 15 boats making the start for the final night race of the series.

A 12-15 knot southerly saw the pin end favoured, with Sean Kirkjian helming Lady Ann getting the best of the start to lead into the first mark. Casual entrant Upper Northshore impressed on the run back to Shark Island as the winds increased to over 15 knots and generally favoured the heavier boats.

The fleet then described a race track pattern around Shark and Clark Islands leading to some tight racing between Elusive (Pete McGee) and Vivacite (John Walton) – ultimately ending in Vivacite overtaking the Bavaria 42 at the final mark.

Making a rare appearance this season in Short Haul racing proved a good decision for Denis Doyle with his yacht Sextant, taking out PHS from 2006/7 champion Caprice of Huon (David Champtaloup), which also raced for the first time, and Kurraka (Cyril Latimer). In IRC, Upper Northshore held on to win from Caprice of Huon and Lady Ann.

The Overall, Passage and Autumn pointscores are still uncertain pending the appeal again the decision of the protest committee from race 9, which should hopefully be resolved this week before the fleet goes into the weekend races to Pittwater (Saturday 9) and to Sydney (Sunday 10) – the final two races of the inaugural Passage Race series currently led on countback by Elusive.

As usual, competitors will raft up at the CYCA moorings in Refuge Bay on Saturday night before the final race on Sunday which will decide the inaugural winner of the Cherana Trophy, presented by Shorthaul racing founder John Keelty and dedicated to his former yacht of that name. – Paul Billingham