The first race of the Performance Boating sponsored RPAYC short-offshore series was a combined clubs two-reef race with RMYC and a fleet of 12 boats.
It took place on Sunday 24th September with a 10.30 start at Barrenjoey Head in a flat calm. With an incoming tide it took some time for the fleet to make their way across and away from the line, but as forecast the breeze flicked to the East and slowly started to build.
The first leg was in large part a beat to a mark off Terrigal, and then a reach becoming a slightly broad reach in 10 knots of breeze to the second turning mark just South of Newport Reef on an otherwise glorious sunny day. After this turning mark this took the fleet on a tight reach back up the coast to round Barrenjoey for a finish on the Northwest corner, after a little over 4 hours of racing.
Wildlife abounded with seals, dolphins and whales all in close proximity, one whale witnessed coming to the surface and blowing just a boat length from “Solutions”.
This series is a perfect steppingstone for those looking to try short-handed racing, as it is Cat’ 4 safety which isn’t onerous, and typically 3 to 4 hours of racing without too many corners. Two yachts were racing two-handed in this particular race with Sue Rice and Nick Ewald on their Sun Odyssey 349 “Nawi” taking the win on SailSys PHS, with Rob Alpe’s First 34.7 “Gunner Goodwin” 2nd and Salvatore Ridulfo’s IMX40 “Xcalibur” 3rd. Under ORC Club “Gunner” took the win with “Xcalibur” 2nd and the Elliott 13 “Quantock” 3rd.
The next race is on Sunday the 29th of October with an 11am start and all are welcome. All that is required is a current Cat’ 4 safety certificate and PBS can offer advice on meeting those requirements.
Come and join in the fun!