Pittwater Coffs leaders approaching finish

1:15 AM Sat 3 Jan 2009 GMT

'Pretty Woman Pittwater Cofs 2009' North Sails Click Here to view large photo

The second radio report by the fleet in the 2009 Pittwater to Coffs race has been completed and at 7am this morning. With conditions softening throughout the night, slowing her record pace, Pretty Woman reported its position 2 miles north of Crescent Head leading Perpetual Mocean by 6 miles in the race for line honours in the 2009 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht race. With approximately 55 miles to the finish line, this will see Pretty Woman crossing the finish line sometime around 1:30pm today.

The record remains safe for another year after passing the mark at 6:29am this morning.

Behind the leaders were two Farr 40s, Eleven and Bribie Star, a mile apart and 9 miles behind the leader with Ausmaid, the Farr 47 and Tulip and the Swan 45 on level pegging a further mile back.

Andrew Hackett, crew member aboard Ausmaid, reported a short time ago, ' We're approximately 5 miles offshore near Port Macquarie traveling at around 10-11 knots in a 15 knot Nor' Easter. The breeze was pretty strong through the night but softened at around 4am this morning. The crew are doing well, the boats holding up fine and we're holding our position. Overall we're happy and having a great time.'

They're followed by a bunch of boats that are 5-6 miles north of Port Macqaurie including Spirit of Lexus, Wasabi, Frantic, More Witchcraft, About Time, and Brannie 3, with a little over 65 miles to the finish.

The back marker is Celestial who is 8 miles south of Sugarloaf Point with 128 miles to go. With conditions expected to ease during the day, it's going to be a long day at the office for the bulk of the back markers sitting just south of Crowdy Head including Let Loose, First Light, Even Finer, Hansky, Byzance and Jayhawk.

On IRC handicap, the overall positions have changed overnight with the Cookson 12 and About Time ahead of the Staples/King Murray 37 Dark and Stormy Witch with the Farr 40 Eleven in 3rd.

In IRC Division 1 it's About Time from Eleven with Pretty Woman in 3rd. In IRC Div 2 it's Dark and Stormy Witch from John Bacon's Syndey 39 CR Hussy in 2nd with Swish, a Sydney 38, in 3rd.

On PHS, the big jaffa Moksha, a Hanse 540 and the largest boat in the fleet from the Swan 40 Byzance with Michael Martin's Sayer Frantic in 3rd.

There have been no further retirements from the race.

There should be plenty of activity this afternoon at the Coffs Harbour marina and at the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club this evening with approximately half the fleet expected to finish by 6pm and nearly all of the fleet in by midnight tonight. Let's hope the weather Gods help them along the way and give them a safe and fast journey into Coffs Harbour.

The two Coffs Harbour boats, B52 and Overdrive are expected to finish today at 6:45pm and 8:30pm respectively.

The next report will be the 2pm sked and information will be updated following the radio report by the fleet for those still at sea.

by Damian Devine

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Sailing #North

Pittwater Coffs leaders approaching finish

Sports/News

Weather Forecasts & Live Reports

Buy & Sell/Classifieds