Wind comes in for glorious start for Cock of the Bay

Ocean Racing Club Race Directors took the hard decision yesterday, in light of the weather forecast to both delay the start by one hour and to move the start line to Sandringham. Thus shortening the course by about four nautical miles. 

It was a great call and by 11:30 this morning the breeze had filled in to about 10 knots albeit from the South. Having set a nice wide line to accommodate the 77 entries it was surprising to see so many of the entrants crowd the start boat end of the line. Three boats in fact made contact with the start boat and several were forced over the line early and had to return to restart.

Line honours favourite Ambition, sensibly headed to the pin end and got a terrific start in clear breeze, they were closely followed by the Tasmanian Oskana and were crossing tacks in the early minutes of the race. Paul Commins’, Carpe Diem did jump too early but was able to just dip the line for its restart and powered up quickly, with these three fifty footers setting the early pace for the journey to Blairgowrie.

Clean away also were Mike and Mark Walsh on the slick, Wicked, a previous overall handicap winner in this race and certainly one to watch as the afternoon progresses.