MYKONOS RACE

Cape Town to Mykonos:

We started in a light breeze which picked upto about 20 knots a few hundred metres after the start. We reached the weather mark, hoisted kite and based on some local knowledge played the breeze line. Over the next few hours we changed our kite and did lots of gybes in order to keep in the breeze. Shortly after bok Point new breeze can through which had us reaching along with pole on forestay at 7.5-8 knots in flat conditions. We debated with our navigator the prime position to cross the transit at Dassen Island, navigator won the debate. The wind freed a bit as we got closer to the heads, we gybed for the heads and sailed inside Jutten catching the know breeze. Around the corner it was a two sailed fetech to the finish. All in all a great race with us finishing just after 5pm. Not bad for a 60NM race. In the end we won both legs on IRC handicap. We feel this was due to our local knowledge aboard and the constant working to "stay with it".

Bay Race:

Pursuit race having us sail all around the bay of Saldhana. We started in light breeze with us hauling some boats in a bit. The breeze got stronger at the weather mark. On the downwind we were forced tot he wrong side of the course by a starboarder which ultimately cost us the race as we sailed into a no wind zone. We were stuck there for quite some time allowing those that started after us to sail around this zone, effectively ending our chances for a good race, the rest of the race was sailed efficiently with us regaining a few positions... In the end, not a great result.

Overall we won ther Mykonos Offshore Race overall on IRC. Aboard were: Michael, Massimo, Sarel, Hans(from Dubai), Dale, Ian, Tony, Mark, Neville. The boat performed well.

The delivery return comenced straight after prizegiving with Ian, Michael and Mary Ann on the delivery crew. Ian reports a quite windless night with them motoring the whole way. The arrvied very early on Sunday morning.

All pictures courtesy of Neville Sharwood.