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Spinnakers set for Gold Coast Race

Home 2003 Spinnakers set for Gold Coast Race

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The fleet got away cleanly, led by Sean Langman’s Grundig with the six crew aboard working furiously to keep the 66-footer under control.

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Gusts of up to 25 knots on Sydney Harbour made for plenty of close calls during the start of the Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race but the fleet got away cleanly, led by Sean Langman’s Grundig with the six crew aboard working furiously to keep the 66-footer under control.

Langman, a former eighteen-foot skiff champion, sailed the wind angles perfectly as he passed Ray Wallace and Michael Cranitch’s Broomstick, first out of the blocks at the start, doing almost 20 knots of boat speed in the 20-25 knot sou’wester.

Third out of the harbour was Ludde Ingvall’s former Sydney Hobart Race line honours winner Luna Park Sydney, followed by Geoff Lavis’ UBS Wild Thing, Matt Allen’s 52 Ichi Ban and Andrew Short’s Volvo 60 Andrew Short Marine Djuice, having recovered from a spinnaker problem after the start.

It took two crewmen, who went 60 feet up the mast while Andrew Short Marine Djuice was powering down Sydney Harbour, to clear a problem with their spinnaker hoist.

Terry Mullens’ former Sydney Hobart Yacht Race overall winner, the Farr 50 Fitness First Sting, was in good company at the front end of the fleet while amongst the small boats, Stewart Lewis’ Mumm 30 Enigma and Bill Wild’s Queensland-based Mumm 36 Corum led the charge.

In the fresh breezes a number of boats broached and one suffered mainsail damage. John Cameron’s More Witchcraft returned to the CYCA after the start for its spare mainsail and has since rejoined the 68-boat fleet.