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Chilly night ahead

Home 2004 Chilly night ahead

Nips N Tux in rough water Day 2

Reminiscent of last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart when the two shadowed each other for the entire 630 nautical miles

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As night falls, the Ingles Sydney Gold Coast crews have reported chilly conditions as they head northwards in a 7-knot easterly breeze that should flick around to the west when the traditional land breeze fills in overnight.

As soon as race leader Skandia makes the call to go inshore, Konica Minolta will follow said one of the trimmers on the New Zealand super maxi, Gareth Cooke, this afternoon.

Reminiscent of last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart when the two shadowed each other for the entire 630 nautical miles, Konica Minolta is side-by-side Skandia, where she has been for most of this afternoon.

“With its canting keel, Skandia has the advantage in these conditions while we’ve got all our guys on the rail, which is where they will probably stay for most of the race,” said Cooke.

Meanwhile on board the race leader, navigator Will Oxley is enjoying the now spacious surrounds below deck that comes with a reduced crew of 10.

“It is much easier to make a cup of coffee for the crew now and for the first time I might actually get a bunk when off watch,” he said this evening.

While his crew is still fresh from the 1.00pm start on Sydney Harbour today, there is no question of their increased productivity but “it will remain to be seen how we go when we get tired,” admitted crewman Graeme Taylor.

Sean Langman’s 66-footer AAPT is currently sailing in third place ahead of Seriously TEN and Brindabella.

Sally Gordon from the Farr 52 Ichi Ban, currently sailing in sixth place, this afternoon reported very pleasant but cold sailing conditions.