On Firsty for the Coastal Classic we had Tim, Darcy, Blair and Paddy. Starting at 9.30 we were the first start away. We got a good start and got the big yellow masthead kite up early. Gibing at North Head we were one if the first boats out of the harbour. We were able to run with the masthead kite all the way past Kawau to Cape Rodney where we changed to No2 headsail to try to gain a bit of windward ground. Shortly after we were able to get the Gennaker up as the wind came left a little, allowing us to hold course to Sail rock. It wasn’t to last though as those who chose to go outside Hen & Chicks remained with Gennaker, but us who chose to go inside dropped to go 2 sail reaching again to make ground. After Hen & Chicks we were able to get the gennaker up again, and that pretty much set the tone until Cape Brett, alternating between Gennaker and headsail. Approaching Cape Brett about 2 miles off the coast, around about midnight, we dropped the Gennaker and headed in to the cape under No2headsail. However at the cape the wind dropped completely as tiny puffs went through to keep us moving now and again. We managed to get through expecting more wind in the Bay of Islands, however there was nothing, so we peeled to the No1 light, making 1 to 2 knots boat speed, on the wind. Tacking in to the shore brought a slight increase in wind speed, which built as we carried on ona Port tack. Tacking over to starboard and we found we couldn’t lay Red Head, so back on to Port. Once we tacked back to starboard, we were able to lift more and more as we approached Topeka point and finally just layed the point. Ease sheets now and head for the finish. Finished at 04.28, 100th on line but beating the 2 Farr 1220’s, 1/2 an hour behind my mates on The Farr 40 Pacific Sundance, so happy with the performance of the boat. Crew did an exceptional job, with so many sail changes over the 19 hours with no sleep. |
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