One More No More Achieves a Clean Sweep of IRC

Saturday's race started in brilliant sunshine with a 15-20 knot southerly making for a quick race up to Pittwater for the 16 starters.  The smaller handicapped boats tended to do well with the whole fleet finishing within half an hour of each other.  Those that went offshore in search of better breeze and/or wind angles were noticeably affected by more adverse  current than the boats that stayed in close to shore.

One More No More (Ian and Shane Guanaris) took IRC hnours from MRX (Jon Short and Miles Bastick) and Sextant (Denis Doyle and Lynne Smith).

Privateer (Bill Mirow) took the PHS win from Lu Lu Belle (Peter Lewis) and Big Blue (Bob & Ann Penty)

For full results click here

As usual, a number of boats moored overnight at RMYC Pittwater for the now traditional dinner at the bistro, which was attended by around 40 crew plus a ball with a wig named Wilson, and a smaller group continuing on at the equally traditional Lu Lu Belle after dinner party hosted by Peter Lewis and the aforementioned Wilson.

Sunday morning was a big contrast to the day before with heavy clouds, much cooler temperatures and a 10 knot south easterly breeze.  The strong southerlies the day before had built up a very large swell and with an outgoing tide pushing against the wind at the start off Barrenjoey Head it was very choppy for the first few miles.  

Once the fleet was able to get past Whale Beach the sea state settled down, just leaving the huge swells to contend with.  Whale Beach being very appropriately named with a large group of whales seen breaching and tail slapping not far out to sea.  This time the larger boats were able to extend a considerable lead over the middle of the fleet as they made their way with eased sheets in the patchy breeze.

A squadron of WW2 vintage fighter planes flying in formation low overhead provided an interesting distraction as the fleet approached Manly.  The outgoing tide was still flowing fairly strongly when the leaders had reached Sydney Heads, much to the delight of the middle of the fleet upon rounding North Head and seeing the leaders had still not entered the Harbour with barely enough wind to keep them moving forward against the tide.

Rob Lewis skippering Rob Hunt's Attitude timed it perfectly for the tide to turn and was able to sneak in just behind the leaders with enough of a lead for a very conclusive PHS win, in spite of his brother's deliberate attempts to slow him down on Lu Lu Belle the night before.

It was another IRC win for One More No More with MRX second and Elusive (Paul Billngham and Pete McGee) third. Elusive also finished second in PHS behind Attitude with Trim (Shaaron Walsh) third.

Click here to see full race results

Thanks again to Robyn Morton and the crew of Offshore for their assistance with starting and finishing both legs of the race.

By Jon Short

Image: Jon Short

Paula Ward hard at work as MRX headed north in ideal conditions

Image: Paul O'Connell

Jim and Carl enjoying the run up to Pittwater under poled out headsail aboard Katinka