Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series - Race 9
by Jane Austin 14 Mar 2021 05:23 UTC
13 March 2021
Wild conditions on the River Derwent in Hobart - Combined Clubs Summer Pennant 2020-21 © Jane Austin
Sailing was not for the faint-hearted in Race Nine of the Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series sailed on the River Derwent on Saturday.
The fleet was forewarned about the wild and windy weather but didn't expect to beat off the start line to the windward mark in 30+ knots and to fly down the River at breakneck speed. In the almost five-hour race, there was less than 30 seconds between first and second in divisions 1, 3 and 4, testament to the intense competition across the fleet.
The Melges 32, Assagai (Chris Sheehan) flew out of the blocks in Division 1, had a wipe-out just off Sandy Bay Beach, but still got to the bottom mark in Variety Bay, well in front. The fleet struggled to set kites in the heavy winds, but conditions eventually settled to a consistent 20 knots. A stand out in Division 1 was the tacking duel between Advantedge (Andrew Jones) and Fork in the Road (Gary Smith), within shouting distance of the finish line, with Advantedge crossing the line first, just 23 seconds ahead of Fork in the Road. On handicap, Midnight Rambler (Ed Psaltis) continued to dominate, winning on IRC and AMS from Intrigue (Don Calvert), while Heatwave (Matthew Keal) won on PHS.
In Division 2, Illusion (David Brett) had a solid day winning across the line and taking out AMS and PHS handicaps after a wild ride to Yellow Bluff.
Rumbeat (Justin Barr) packed a punch in Division 3, finishing 19 seconds behind Invincible (Bryan Walpole) across the line, and winning on AMS and PHS and taking third on IRC.
In Division 4, Innovator (Ian Smith / Dean Aberle) finished 25 seconds ahead of Camlet Way (Stephen Mannering) and took second on PHS behind Wayatih (Allan Morgan), while Camlet Way took third.
The summer pennant wraps up on the 27th of March and the two-handed long series concludes a day later.
Full results here: results.ryct.org.au/Summer21/Summer21/series.htm?ty=29929