DAY TWO
Photo: Cathy @ luvmyboat.com
The heavens opened Wednesday night - 15 mls of rain drenched parched grounds in the Bay of Islands. Mother Nature was on our side when Thursday dawned with sunshine and a cloudless sky. Yes – there was a moment of panic when a sudden squall hit as boats set out for the day’s racing, however all was well within minutes, and so the day began.
Race Officer Paddy Simms on A, B and M courses said there was less time Thursday to sit and watch the racing. Constant wind shifts and the continual resetting of course flags kept them busy.
B Division saw really close racing with some contention at a Bottom mark. A few ‘well chosen adjectives’ resounded with boats coming in from two directions; no collisions – so the race continued with no protests.
A Division also had its share of drama with the continuing duel between Rob Bassett’s Wired and Jim Farmer’s Georgia. Race #1, Wired slipped through around the top mark leading the next leg due to an unusual ‘moment of error’ by Georgia.
Rob Bassett conceded the next confrontation at the Bottom mark; with spinnakers flying and winds gusting up to twenty five knots “we undercooked, and Dean Barker was a bit smarter”. A sudden gust during the drop on approach to the mark resulted in Wired rounding up out of control. Georgia was able to slip through and stayed ahead in a short reach to the finishing line.
Paddy told of a moment of drama in A Division when Limit flew through the Multi Hull Start line, the canting-keel hooked up the Pin Buoy anchor line and blew all their settings. The result was a twenty minute delay and we believe Limit was heard to offer a bottle of rum to the committee boat – accepted of course.
The Australian Reichel Pugh 63 Limit finished the day holding her position as first overall in A Division.
All races finished the day At Roberton Island – and the Beach Party began. A HUGE success enjoyed by all. Photos will be on the website by Thursday afternoon.
Roberton Is. Photo:Cathy @ luvmyboat.com
Race and Series Results for the first two days have been uploaded View Here >
