With a large field of 85 boats the long start line was crowded and tense with all yachts trying to be first off the start line.
Don Cameron’s Smooth Criminal from Sandringham won the start from Charmelia. Not everyone was happy with some barging on the line causing a collision between Out of the Blue and Aussie Rules, resulting in a hole for Out of the Blue above the water line. Aussie Rules appears to have damage to their main sheet system but both yachts continued sailing.
Noel May, Race Director from the Ocean Racing Yacht Club commented, ‘everyone wants to be on the start and we will work it out in the protest room.’
The fleet remained bunched as they reached the first turning mark and headed to the turning mark at Brighton. With a course run close into the shore they present a spectacular fleet for ground based spectators.
At 12.30 pm the lead boats were off Mornington in good breezes of up to 25 knots. The lead boats, as expected, include the two DK 46’s Dekadence and Shogun being closely shadowed by No Fearr slightly further out to sea. Race start winner Smooth Criminal has also raced well to be near the front of the fleet.
With breezes still blowing in from the South and the South West the fleet is making surprisingly good time on their journey to Blairgowrie.