Henri Lloyd Half Ton Classics Cup at Flushing Sailing Club - Day 2
by Fiona Brown 17 Aug 2016 09:18 NZST
15-19 August 2016
Day two of the Henri Lloyd Half Ton Classics Cup, sponsored by day sponsor Mylor Yacht Harbour, saw the fleet taking part in a 40 mile Coastal Race, which carried a points weighting of 1.5. For the second day running the wind was from the east creating big swells and some exciting seat of the pants sailing.
Greg Peck's Swuzzlebubble loves nothing better than a good windy beat and the race committee gave them just that with a 10 mile head banger first leg that tested everyone's metal. Swuzzlebubble rounded the weather mark with a handsome lead, but on the run the wind dropped somewhat, compressing the fleet. Paul Pullen's Miss Whiplash took full advantage of the situation gaining considerable ground. As the boats rounded the last mark Swuzzlebubble still had a big lead on the water, but on corrected time she and Miss Whiplash were now neck and neck. The final leg in through the heads was a close reach in an awkward swell and as Swuzzlebubble crossed the finish just off Falmouth all heads turned to see how Miss Whiplash was doing. The stopwatches were out and as Whiplash crossed the line it was confirmed that, after more than five hours racing, she had won by a mere six seconds. Third place went to Jonny Swan's Harmony with Philippe Pilate's General Tapioca fourth.
In the overall standings Miss Whiplash has pulled into a narrow 1.5 point lead over Swuzzlebubble while Harmony moves up into third, leapfrogging over General Tapioca with a half point advantage.
Whilst the majority enjoyed a good romp in lovely conditions, one boat that most definitely did not enjoy today was Robbie Tregear's beautiful Per Elisa. On the spinnaker hoist their genoa sheet got caught in the spinnaker sheet, preventing them from releasing the sheet so that the boat broached out and laid flat. They picked themselves up and got going again but had to gybe to make Gull Rock. Robbie Tregear takes up the story; "During the gybe it's all a matter of timing, and we were slightly out. We got our speed down the wave, but we hadn't completed the gybe by the time we hit the bottom when the boat stopped but the kite carried on along with the rig, which crumpled into about five pieces." Fortunately the crew were able to clear away the damaged rig and make their way home without outside assistance, but it brought their championship to an untimely end.
Back ashore the fleet were treated to beers on the dock by A2 Rigging followed by the daily prize giving in the Regatta Marquee which is located immediately opposite the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
Tomorrow the fleet will return to inshore racing with races four and five of the series planned. The forecast is for the wind to remain easterly and in the mid to high teens so there's every expectation of starting on time at 10.30 for another great day's sailing. The regatta continues until Friday 19 August.
For full results and further information about the Henri Lloyd Half Ton Classics Cup 2016 please go to www.halftonclass.co.uk