A spinnaker run to Rottnest was eagerly anticipated based on an early forecast of a light nor-easterly however in reality the five-knot breeze had swung to the south making it a beat to windward for most of the way.

The breeze, instead of strengthening, died, and in the heat, emotions ranged from frustration to patience as the crews tried to find every breath of wind on the mirror-like surface of the sea. TWS 5; SOG 2 knots. After three hours, darkies appeared on the surface, the cheeks felt it too and the Fremantle doctor came to the rescue. The leading boat Surfer Rosa (Roric Smith) took off beating to the East Windmill mark before turning to head for the finish line at Phillip Rock completing the journey in five hours 10 minutes and 40. Circa (Martin Eyer) was second over the line followed by Seachange (Hugh Burton, David Boyd, John Gregory and Cass Castanelli) with Perle, Lamotrek (John Akers) and Covert Operation (Bart Brouwer) locked in a battle for line honours on the tight reach.

In division one, although fastest, Surfer Rosa had to settle for third place, 16 seconds behind Circa which missed out on first by 54 seconds to Perle. Phew!

In division two, Pinta (Ray Murphy) made the most of the strong breeze to storm home and snatch a three-second win over Covert Operation which was fastest and also first on the ORC handicap rating. Tim Tucker on Show Me was third.

In the seven-boat division three fleet, Seachange was 15 minutes ahead on elapsed time but had to settle for second place on handicap to Resolute (Damian and Kerry Martin), with Tosca (Stuart Marks) just 39 seconds adrift in third place.

After a night of celebrations, most welcomed the 12-knot south-westerly for the return race to Hillarys. Pre-start manoeuvres accommodated a seaplane landing amidst the fleet adjacent to Phillip Rock, and at 1030 hours, the fleet set sail on a broad reach, aiming for Fairway. With a combined start, there was some initial jostling for best windward position to launch the kite however Covert Operation put their bow down and took off, leaving Circa, Farrouk (Des and Gail Riley) and Perle to sort it out.

The almost dead-downwind sailing angle suited those with the symmetrical spinnaker, Perle and the division two yachts; whilst those with the asymmetrical, Surfer Rosa and Circa, had to work the angles, going much further. If the finish was at Fremantle, Surfer Rosa would have won.

The breeze began to drop off as Perle and Covert Operation sailed side by side for most of the way to Beach before gybing and heading to Sorrento and a quick reach to the port channel marker and another kite run to the finish line. Both received the hooter for first home, the first for Perle in division 1, one of many for Covert Operation.

In division one Perle was first and fastest, Circa second and Surfer Rosa third, Rottnest trophy: Perle.

In division two Covert Operation was also first and fastest with Show Me second and Farrouk third, Rottnest trophy: Covert Operation.

In division three Lamotrek was first and fastest ahead of Tosca and Marc Carpenter on Intuition in third place. Resolute and Tosca finished on equal points with the total corrected time of Resolute less than that of Tosca to take the trophy.

With the quick run home of 2.33.19 by Perle, Captain Tim threatened to shift Rottnest a bit further away for next year. Sea floor spreading takes a little longer Tim, but yes India was once joined to our coastline.

Prizes which included a towel, drink bottle and soothing sunburn lotion for the winners were kindly provided by Martin Eyer (Circa) of CDM Australia.
Many thanks to the start management team on duty both days and to Kind of Blue for their return race radio coverage.

John Bird