Big Boat Race Report
Kirk Marcolina
Report by Chris Bowling
In the build-up to the race it looked like we might have up to 7 boats, but only 3 presented for the start. It was a sparkling and sunny afternoon, but the wind was fresh, building and chilly. A north-westerly somehow bringing cold air from the snow-fields, where snowfalls were approaching record levels.
The start was provided by John and Amelia Vasey; it was Amelia (aged 4) who sounded the horn to send the boats on their way. The forecast of 18 knots was pretty much what we got, with lighter patches and some sharp, curly gusts embedded. Corinna made the best of a tight start, but on the reach to Point Piper, first G-Force, then Umbakumba, sailed through, to round the mark in that order, with Corinna last. The work to Taylors Bay had some tricky shifts and gusts which kept everyone on their toes, but G-Force retained her lead. Corinna got almost within collision range but rounded a boat length behind. Umbakumba fell back by about 2 minutes, flying a genoa that looked a bit too big for the conditions.
After that we had a soldier’s course, with 2 broad reaches and a tight reach to the finish. G-Force steadily increased her gap to win by about 4 minutes. Umbakumba closed most of the gap to Corinna but in the end crossed about 20 seconds behind.
Congratulations to G-Force for a very clear win.
At the finish: G-Force
Corinna.
Umbakumba.