Pursuit 1: Saturday 26th April 2014

With thick fog followed by terrific thunderstorms on the Friday, racing over the weekend looked exceedingly doubtful, but eight boats thought it worth the risk and ventured outside the harbour to be greeted by a fresh south easterly and only a moderate sea, but most of all, clear visibility. They were racing in the first of the pursuit series of races where the slowest boats set off first and the greyhounds set off last. First off was Lady Hamilton and made good speed towards the harbour entrance before turning out to the bell buoy. She was followed by Double D, Samaki, Cold Steel, Monsoon, Antix and No Compromise. The sharper of you will have noticed this is only 7 boats, Qantro, or at least the ship’s dog, had decided the conditions were a little too fresh for her.

After the bell buoy, the fleet headed for Sandsend with the wind behind them. Only Antix and No Compromise risked flying their spinnakers, but Samaki made ground on Double D and Lady Hamilton. Having reached Sandsend, the boats hauled in their sheets to start the beat back to the start line. The fleet split with some choosing inshore and the remainder heading out to sea before completing their first lap. Lady Hamilton hung on to her lead, but Double D had made the wrong choice of direction and allowed the chasing fleet to pass her. Samaki was catching Lady Hamilton, but not as fast as the charging Antix who eventually passed both Samaki and Lady Hamilton and established an unassailable lead. That was the order as time rang out. Result: 1^st Antix, John Allen, 2^nd Samaki, Nigel Robinson, 3^rd Lady Hamilton, Malcolm & Joanna Stuart