The White Island race was held on Saturday November 16. 6
6 boats entered with one withdrawing shortly after the start.
The forecast for the day was for the breeze to be almost non existent at the scheduled start of 8.00am, so the start was delayed until 10.00 when a light westerly was blowing.
Most of the boats made the best of the conditions flying spinnakers for the first 1/2 hour. The exception was Formula One which reports that they only used their code zero and no1 jib for the whole trip. Unlike Truxton and Pork Chop which both made continuous changes as conditions changed from the light westerly to a solid 20 knot North westerly and then back to a strong westerly.
The result was that all boats had a fast trip to White Island but a slow return. Open Country and Rimfire were arriving at White Island as Pork Chop and Truxton were leaving. The trailing boats suffered as the breeze slowly backed to the west and then all but died as they attempted to get past Motiti.
Formula One had the best of the conditions finishing around 11. pm for a 13 hour trip, Truxton an hour later and Pork an hour or so behind them. Open Country finished before the was up but Rimfire had the worst of conditions and crawled to the line well after breakfast.
All in all it was a great race with Truxton picking up the win on handicap. Only 9 minutes covered the first 4 boats on adjusted time so it was a great effort for everyone.
Mount Maunganui Yacht Club are pleased with the event and are keen to hold it regulalry. They have even inaugurated (recycled) a new cup which was first donated in 1946. It will be awarded for each of the Coastal Series races. The next of which is Whangamata race on 7 February 2020.
The next club event is the Christmas Raft up on sunday afternoon 15th December.
See you there (details to come later).
