Bmw Winter Series Sydney 38 Regatta 7

On May 29, 2008

“Bmw Winter Series ‘08
UPLIFT, THE GOAT, ICHI BANDIT. Photo: Andrea Francolini/BMW”   
Fourteen Sydney 38’s turned up for another winter Monday on Sydney Bay to work hard spotting wind, shifting bodies & calculating how to be in the right place at the right time.

Racing started in approximately eight kts or less of wind as we saw Uplift catch the “main” flotilla start MARK & an personal recall made for Ichi Bandit.

On the work to the laid MARK off Roberstons Point, the flotilla was kept together for close MARK rounding with Transfusion, Ichi Bandit, Zen & The Goat followed closely by the other 38’s. After rounding the MARK, with kites hoisted, quiet small rain squall came through & took what small breeze we had to leave the 38’s struggling to fill spinnaker & collect speed. Transfusion took the right side of the course, which unfortunately didn’t pay this time.

Whilst we struggled with kites, the main flotilla started towards us very slowly making it more challenging to round the Bradleys Head MARK with pace.

The spinnaker run continued to Cannae Point with the sailboats hunting for the best wind across the sound. The Goat rounded the MARK 1st then Zen, followed by Ichi Bandit with an increasing separation on the flotilla.

As the 1st three Sydney 38’s approached the finish line the shortened causa signal was sounded. Zen crossed the line 1st, seconds previously Ichi Bandit then in 3rd The Goat. Fourth was Utopia by 23 seconds at the of Rush.

After very irritating day for all competing, we saw Zen finishing 1st, The Goat 2nd & Icom Utopia took out 3rd after Ichi Bandit, who hadn’t heard the personal recall, finished OCS.

With now only seven regattas left in the series it’s still anyone’s to take, & with conditions like last Monday it’s good training for boating in no wind!.

Happy Boating & see you all out there on Monday.

by Brooke Paton