Friday evening saw twenty five yachts take to the start line for Race 2 of the Grant Thornton Short Haul Pointscore Series – Night Harbour Race in light NE conditions. Even though light conditions prevailed for most of the evening, a full course was sailed with Lady Ann, owned by John & Ann Kirkjian finishing first, Denis Doyle & Lynn Smith’s Sextant second and John Walton’s Vivacite third.

For the Blue Water Pointscore race to Bird Island which commenced 30 minutes after the Grant Thornton Short Haul race, a fleet of 19 started including the defending BWPS champion Syd Fischer on Ragamuffin, Andrew Short in his new Andrew Short Marine (Shockwave) and Paul Clitheroe’s Balance.

Whilst rumours of a race record may have been tossed around early in the week, the prevailing conditions on the start line and into the evening made for a slow race. The brotherly rivalry between Andrew & Matthew Short did not let up in this race, with Andrew Short Marine getting the jump on the start line again over Shortwave. The smaller boats of the fleet favoured the pin end of the start line and managed to get away in light conditions, whilst those that chose the start boat end of the line contended with Andrew Short Marine (Shockwave) stealing their air. With some boats loosing air and stalling on the start line, they managed to make up ground as they headed out of the harbour and into the night.

Andrew Short Marine (Shockwave) was the first to cross the finish line the next morning at 0738 – only to return to the start line and compete in the Ocean Pointscore race to Lion Island. This caused some competitors in the Blue Water race to scratch their heads as they sighted the maxi racing again! Official Standings for Race 2 of the Blue Water Pointscore were: IRC Division: 1st – Mahligai (Murray Owens & Jenny Kings); 2nd – Andrew Short Marine (Shockwave)-Andrew Short; 3rd – Limit (Corby 49) – Alan Briety skippered by Roger Hickman.

For the Tasman Series (PHS Division), first was awarded to Mahligai (Murray Owens & Jenny Kings), with second Copernicus (Greg Zyner); and third Mortgage Choice Rumba (Kerry Burke, Stephanie Cook and Robert Carr)

The first race of the Ocean Pointscore race was marked with a 22 yacht fleet and a delayed start due to light conditions. As the afternoon wore on, a strengthening NE came in bringing the fleet home earlier than anticipated. Last year’s Ocean Pointscore winner About Time, owned by Julian Farren Price, finished first in IRC Division, with Warwick Sherman’s Occasional Coarse Language second and Hans Sommer’s Sommerbreeze third. In PHS Division, David Bates’ Supernova finished first, with Sal Ridulfo’s Nerone second and Hans Sommer’s Sommerbreeze third.