PYC 2018 Long Distance Race Report Saturday 12th May 2018

On a bright sunny morning with light winds and a calm sea 12 yachts came out for the offshore challenge of the Long distance race. The start coincided with a low water tide just coming up to springs and with the wind from the south we could envisage a challenging beat out towards the Eddystone Lighthouse.

Twelve yachts had entered for this race and with a start at 1100 hours all boats made ready for the off and passing from West Mallard, the start line, they set out on the beat to L4 Buoy, some 7 and a half miles out from the shore.  Their course would entail a spinnaker run back down inside the breakwater where they would leave Duke Rock to port then down to South Mallard ready to start a second short lap reaching over to Queens Ground and back to Duke Rock before finishing through South Mallard to the finish line at West Mallard.

Dave Oliver’s Xtorsion 8 led the way after the first lap just a few minutes ahead of Ashley Crawford’s Mischief with Moonfish and Mark Hanley next.  All boats came in a stream with only minutes between each with some of the smaller boats sailing well within striking distance of the pacemakers.

The second short lap showed no alterations to the order of boats and considering the gentle wind that varied between 5 and 10 knots, good times were recorded by all after the 19 to 20 Mile race.   Last boat came in just one hour after the first but was not last on handicap but nearer to half fleet.

Xtorsion 8 took line honours with Mischief just 4 minutes behind and Moonfish still in third shortly after.

A very good days racing that all will have enjoyed to the full.

Final Results

IRC                        1st Mischief, Ashley Crawford.   2nd Xtorsion 8, Dave Oliver.

Port Handicap.   1st Moonfish, Mark Hanley.        2nd Sir Jasper, Bob Suggett.      3rd Poppin Tim Burne.     4th Joburg, Phil Hooper.

2 Handed            1st Moonfish, Mark Hanley.        2nd Poppin Tim Burne.              3rd Kotuku, Carol Hammond.