Failed forecast but plain sailing?

On Sunday 22nd November, a fleet of seven yachts signed on for the event which was a short harbour sail around Motuhoa Island starting at D mark off Ōmokoroa point.

The wind was south westerly and supposed to veer to north west but it didn’t. It was also supposed to rain and thunder but that didn’t happen either.

We started at 10.17 and we were: Against All Odds with Lloyd and Murray; Wayleggo, Goldie, Kōnini for the keeler division; Wayfarer and Piccaninny for the trailer yachts and Wētā, a folding trimaran, with Gerry and Chris on board.

The start was gentle at first under the lea of Ōmokoroa Point but then we caught the breeze which was plus 10 knots, gusting 15 to 20.

Piccaninniy made a brave start but was soon caught by Kōnini, Wayleggo, Wayfarer and Wētā. Goldie soon was in the mix and Against All Odds was down wind.

As we neared the first mark, the big rigs took off Against All Odds in the second shot looked really good and Goldie in the 4th was not far away.

In the lead were Wayfarer and Wētā. All yachts made a great sight as they powered down harbour narrowly avoiding the Matakana Ferry!

At the turn on to the main Te Puna Channel, all yachts had to harden up and, tack after tack, make their way up the channel to Te Puna.

Many showed the benefits of clean hulls and fresh anti fouling.

On Piccaninny we were well back from the leaders and only caught part of the action as were blasted to the starboard mark off Matakana Island.

The first yachts were finishing as we changed headsails for the homeward stretch.

First home was Wayleggo followed by Goldie, then Wayfarer followed by Kōnini, Against All Odds, Wētā and finally Piccaninny.

It was a testing sail and hats off to Wayfarer and Wētā for great sailing, also thanks to Alan and Johan on Picaninny for a great balancing act. Well done all.