Thrilling finish expected in 21st Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race

10:35 PM Sun 12 Apr 2009 GMT

'Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race - another close finish expected' Paul Scambler

The two Race leaders are close together and another thrilling finish to the Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race is expected.

Westbury-Mersey Pharmacy has chased down Neil Buckby Motors Subaru overnight, narrowing the distance between them to one hour's sailing.

Phil Marshall's Neil Buckby Motors Subaru left Coles Bay soon after 6pm last night with a two and-a-half hour lead on its rival.

However, Terry Travers' Westbury-Mersey Pharmacy made the best of light and fickle winds to reach the bridge at Dunalley canal at 6.50, one hour after Neil Buckby Motors Subaru cleared the channel.

The two teams have a long-standing rivalry that has brought many close finishes to Hobart's Constitution Dock.

The closest race finish in the race's 21-year history was in 2004, when the two finished 90 seconds apart.

Last year, they docked dramatically at the same time after a long boat-for-boat battle up the Derwent River. Marshall's runners were able to pull away from Travers' team on Mt Wellington, but this year's running teams are much more evenly-matched with both boats having changed their teams.

Whoever wins will claim their fifth Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race title.
Leading monohull Rob Gourlay's Tas Marine Construction is in the narrows at Dunalley and will pass the bridge in the next hour.

The rest of the fleet is bunched off Maria Island with very little wind.

by Holly Ranson

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