by Jennifer Harker
After severe weather warnings and brewing storms ended racing early on Day 2 the fleet was raring to go on Day 3.
Brisk conditions and an afternoon start saw the fleet complete two races.
After a morning pre-race tune-up session with veteran 5.5ers John Lister and Dan Rossi aboard to offer advice, Pride USA 31 showed her new technique with a strong start hot on the heels of Nantoria CAN 22 in Race 1.
Approaching the first mark Nantoria CAN 22 was in the lead with the US contingent of Purple Haze USA 51, Pride USA 31 and Savage USA 75 battling for second. On the downwind leg Pride USA 31 pushed into second as Purple Haze USA 51 fell off.
By the second mark it was a new race with Purple Haze USA 51 rounding first as the fleet spread out behind.
After a good run Nantoria CAN 22 was back in front and Savage USA 75 had pushed into second. Pride USA 31 then put together a nice run to overtake Purple Haze USA 51 and gain on Savage USA 75.
Rounding the fourth mark Nantoria CAN 22 stretched her lead and wouldn’t be caught while the race for second heated up.
It came down to the final few hundred metres and into the closing turn with rapid position changes as boats jockeyed for last minute advantage. At the line it would be Savage USA 75 for second followed by Purple Haze USA 51, Pride USA 31, O’Kelly CAN 79 and Summer CAN 80.
The second race saw Summer CAN 80 lead the fleet with a strong start followed closely by Pride USA 31 and Purple Haze USA 51.
The fleet was bunched in the second leg with skippers jockeying for position and crew getting every ounce of power out of full spinnakers.
At the second mark Savage USA 75 slipped inside to come out ahead of Nantoria CAN 22 and the pair fought for the lead the whole leg until Savage USA 75 pulled ahead and rounded the third mark well ahead. It was match racing as Nantoria CAN 22 regained ground and turned the tables to slide inside on the last mark to be first to the line.
Purple Haze USA 51 took third while Summer CAN 80 put in a good race for fourth followed by Pride USA 31 and O’Kelly CAN 79.
Nantoria’s John Lister said, “It was exciting to see the fleet moving today with lots of lead changes and great racing.”
Pride’s Joe Strelow said, “Today was fantastic. It took a couple of days. But we’ve started getting our groove back.” With a laugh, he added, “Of course steady winds helps improve your technique too rather than the swirling tornadic winds of yesterday.”
It’s been highs and lows for O’Kelly. Skipper Don Cameron said, “We’ve been up and down like a yo-yo, going fast and then having lots of problems. Then we made a decision to go up the left side of the course. That was the wrong side.”
Expressing the sentiment of all the sailors at the regatta that they’re simply glad to be sailing at all Cameron said, “The main thing right now is to be out there sailing. It’s a great race to sail, the people are really nice and it’s really fun, not over-the-top serious and I’ve done enough over-the-top serious racing in my life. It’s a lot of fun and more people should come and join us.”
Hugh Loughborough is skippering Rossi’s second boat Purple Haze. Commenting on Day 3 he said, “We had better pressure than the previous day but still a little shifty and a challenge for these classic designs but as usual it’s good, close, fun racing.”
The North American group is re-igniting the passion for these boats and it is fabulous to see skippers and crews step aboard borrowed boats and discover the possibilities. Loughborough said, “We’re always learning something new on these boats. Like today we learned to wing the jib with the spinnaker pole.”
Many local sailors have stepped in to fill holes in the crew lineups to make the regatta happen in Covid times. Loughborough will welcome aboard a new crew for Day 4 and set his sights on the lead. “I’m looking for good things tomorrow and to beat that green boat [Nantoria],” he said with a grin.
But first the 5.5 fleet headed out to join the Midland Bay Sailing Club’s regular Wednesday night races mixing in with keelboats and Sharks for a spirited contest with plenty of traffic at the turns to keep everyone on their toes and prepare for Day 4 of the North American Regatta.
In a show of camaraderie the 5.5 fleet joined in the Midland Bay Sailing Club’s regular Wednesday night races mixing in with keelboats and Sharks for some fun racing and fine-tuning to prepare for Day 4 of racing.
Summer CAN 80 shows her style for white sails only as the 5.5 fleet headed out for some fun club racing with Midland Bay Sailing Club Sharks and keelboats.