With a storm looming above the harbor as the teams rigged before yesterday afternoon’s Invitation Race, most elected to go with their smaller #2 rigs rather than risk damage to their big rigs before Race 1 of the championship.
Once again the JJ practice race delivers a surprise winner. But this time, fortune favoured the bold, Tom Clout's skiff Pure Blond who took the win, being the only skiff to carry its big #1 rig. The forecast was for a NE breeze to 15 knts, however a large storm front was developing in front of this predicted outcome. Tom Clout's team went big, and were 1st off the beach. The breeze fizzed out, and Pure Blond held all the cards for success......it was just a matter of how long it would take, after a clumsy start. Michael Coxon's, Thurlow Fisher Lawyers fought all the way after relinquishing its early lead to Pure Blond, finishing in second in front of a fast finishing Seve Jarin's Gotta Luv it 7 35s ahead of Yandoo, but Cocko was judged OCS and John Winning's Yandoo, moved up to third on Starter, Gary Linnacre's race report sheet.
Those three were followed by appliancesonline.com.au, CST Composites, C-Tech, Mojo Wine (Archie Massey), Maersk Line (Graham Catley, NZ) and Rag & Famish Hotel.
But the one team which elected to go big and reap the rewards was Pure Blonde (Tom Clout, Paul Atkins and Matt Wark) which took out the race by 2m5s when the North-East breeze stayed below 12 knots.
Everybodies set....The real game starts tomorrow, the series being over 7 heats with one discard allowed.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League