Despite a belting in the final stages of the Hillarys to Fremantle ocean race last week, hardy skippers and crews turned out for another in a 17-knot sea breeze that saw most resorting to reefed mainsails and partially furled headies for the last race before the festive season hiatus. Spinnakers were conspicuously absent.

Commenting before the race, Bruce Utting from Sophia said: “With this breeze it‘ll just be a cruise around”. And cruise they did, Bruce and Phil Grove handling the C&C 99 two-up with ease, to record a minute win in division one from Mulberry (Mark Pitt) and Mimosa (Tony Brooke) just 41 seconds behind in third place. Finishing fourth, Bad Habits (Ian Holder) pushed the limits with use of the spinnaker in preparation for the Pot of Gold in January. After a re-start, Whispering Jack (Bruce Bradford) used the full mainsail to power up and overtake the fleet in the beat from Marina to Whale, recording fastest time and fifth place.

In division two, everyone took home a pennant with Covert Operation (Bart Brouwer) taking the blue one for first and fastest, Show Me (Tim Tucker) the red one (also a red for first over the start line) and Panache (Geoff James) the yellow one.

Boyd Timler’s big Beneteau, an Oceanis 46, Kind of Blue, powered around the course to be first and fastest in division three with first over the start line, Vaya Con Dios (Chris Blackney) in second place. Stuart Marks made his debut with his new acquisition, a Hunter 36, Y-Knot, to finish third. La Premiere (Ken and Des Luplau) was an early retirement in the difficult conditions.

Many thanks to Rob Gouldsmith, Sandy Grant, Sally Simmonds and Gary Kaye for their expertise as the start and finish management team.

Several yachts will now prepare for the journey south and the Cockburn Sound Regatta to be held between Boxing Day and New Year. Good luck to all crews.

John Bird