Tassie Trio Race Updates late Saturday evening
After a day and a half of shifting winds and changing seas the battle for the coveted Rudder Cup comes down to seconds. Streetcar the smallest boat in the fleet at just 32 feet and sailed double handed by Skipper Aiden Geysen with crew Jeremy Walton may just have pipped Simply Fun by just 17 seconds for this handicap honour. This is a provisional result but should it be true is an extraordinary effort for these two guys.
Most of the fleet in the Launceston race have finished and with just Ariel II and Hush still to finish the crews can relax before preparing for the Tamar Classic Race on the 29th.
The West Coast fleet have 25 – 45 knots from the west south west most are still travelling with speed with the exception of Yoko, Robin Hewitt is looking after his boat and crew. eXtasea is still leading by nine miles from Tevake II and Spirit of Downunder all are still making good time to Hobart in difficult conditions. The weather conditions further south of the fleet are extreme with Maatsuyker experiencing strong winds that should abate before the fleet is that far south. They will be looking forward to daybreak when conditions are meant to moderate throughout the coast. Currently the West Coasters are leading the East Coast fleet by 45 miles and the race for the Red Wine Cup may go back to the West Coast side.
On the East Coast XLR8 are 37 nautical miles in front of Samskara who then have a small three mile gap to Merlion. With 19 – 29 knots from the west nor west they are still to see the full force of the change. The change is expected in the small hours of the morning and will require vigilance at that time when it is hardest to deliver it. Crews will be tired and cold but need to watch for the signs of this change in conditions.
Jennifer McGuigan
