Gale hits Cygnet Regatta fleet in d'Entrecasteaux Channel

10:46 PM Sat 7 Mar 2009 GMT

'Photo: Phil Jeffs - Cygnet Regatta Tasmania 2008'

Galeforce west/south-westerly winds cut a swathe through the fleet in yesterday's second race of the Cygnet Regatta in Tasmania's Huon Valley, a passage race down the d'Entrecasteaux Channel from Kettering to Cygnet.

Only 73 of the expected fleet of 102 started the race at noon yesterday and 43 boats finished early last evening at Cygnet, with line honours going to Roy and Dianne Barkas' Sydney 38 Asylum.

'It was blowing 35 knots when we pulled out,' said Regatta secretary Phil Jeff last night. 'But we were only two-up in a 'couta boats!'

In Division 1, first place on corrected time went to the 11m catamaran Last Fandango, skippered by Rick Lutjens from Kettering Yacht Club from The Leading Edge, an Etchells helmed by Nick Rogers, the current Australasian Dragon champion.

The Etchells, representing Port Cygnet Sailing Club with Rogers as guest skipper, was also second boat to finish the course, a fine example of seamanship in the heavy winds.

Third place overall went to Jenny S, Jeff Sharp's Adams 10, said to be the first boat of this class out of the mould.

The heavy weather certainly suited Pisces II, Gerard Kingston's Carbineer 46 from Kettering Yacht Club, which won Division 2 on corrected time.

Another stoutly built boat, the Phillip Rhodes-designed 45 foot ketch Saona skippered by Ben Marris, also from Kettering, placed second while third place went to Mishima, a Superstition 36 skippered by John Nibbs from Geileston Bay Yacht Club.

Port Cygnet Yacht Club members turned on their traditional hospitality for the visiting and local crews with a spit roast for some 250 people at the little clubhouse on the shores of Robey's Bay and this afternoon the fleet will sail a final round-the-buoys race - with the promise of lighter winds.

by Peter Campbell

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