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Audi Sydney Gold Coast Fleet in for a light start

Home 2008 Audi Sydney Gold Coast Fleet in for a light start

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Paul Clitheroe, media’s money man has just fitted a new spinnaker pole and if he and his crew can figure out how to use it properly they are in for an exciting race. “There are three Sydney 47’s racing in this race and the boats are set-up for conditions like this and they love the wind across the beam!, “ said Paul. “I have been told by my crew not to be too aggressive so that I don’t break anything - when we were sailing to Hobart on the first night I blew two spinnakers!”

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The Bureau of Meteorology delivered its pre start weather forecast at this morning’s race briefing with little change from the previous forecast delivered to the fleet on Thursday evening.  For today’s start, (at 1pm today off Nielsen Park) a light SW breeze of 5 to 10 knots is forecast with Saturday evening being dominated by S/SW winds of moderate strength.  Strong westerly land breezes will mark a chilly Saturday evening with lighter westerly winds continuing into Sunday, making it a tactical race for the fleet.

With 5-10 knots forecast inshore and 10 -15 knots offshore, each skipper and navigator will have to make the decision if they go outside of the rhumbline.

Roger Hickman, skipper of Limit said that the lighter conditions will suit the boat.  “Limit’s in good shape – We’ve made no crew changes since our Port Stephens win and summer series successes.  This race can prove to be difficult but it’s an exciting race.  We will try to hang onto the coat-tails of the bigger boats and see how we are tracking against others in our Division.

Paul Clitheroe, media’s money man has just fitted a new spinnaker pole and if he and his crew can figure out how to use it properly they are in for an exciting race.  “There are three Sydney 47’s racing in this race and the boats are set-up for conditions like this and they love the wind across the beam!, “ said Paul.  “I have been told by my crew not to be too aggressive so that I don’t break anything -  when we were sailing to Hobart on the first night I blew two spinnakers!”

With five new boats making the start line, this race is being used by many skippers to really test out how their boats will go.  Geoff Boettcher, owner and skipper of Secret Mens Business III said “The boat has turned out beautifully – we worked closely with Reichel Pugh and Mal Hart –all three of us had input into the boat design. Like all new boats we would have liked to have two more weeks in the factory in Melbourne to prepare her properly.  The crew were working right up until we sailed SMB III up here and have continued to work on her to ensure she is fit for the start line the start time.  On her test sail we had a full race crew on board and we pushed her to the limits.”

Black Jack, Peter Harburg’s new boat withdrew from the race this morning prior to the weather briefing due to sustaining damage during a training sail late yesterday afternoon.

Keen enthusiasts can track the fleet as they sail up the coast as each yacht is fitted with the CYCA’s unique yacht tracking device which sends regular updates to the race website – http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au.  Details of all yachts participating in the event can be found under ‘The Yachts’ tab.  Line honours positions and handicap results will be updated regularly until the last boat cross the finish line.