While no one in the Black fleet finished the course on time we nevertheless had a very enjoyable and friendly tussle out on the course.
We did start in a very light Nor Easterly breeze that suited our low on the course position and once around Onion Point we were able to pole out our large overlapping genoa to good effect. The fingers of breeze channeling down the course favored first one side and then the next. We were stuck to the north of the fleet running down the Hunters Hill side but were able to skirt the fleet to round Cockatoo Island just behind Utopia. Back on the wind on the way to Goat Island we held the fleet at bay while Utopia was first into fresher breeze ahead and pulled out a six boat length lead. Approaching Long Nose point the other fleets were becalmed so we went very wide only to have the short cutters on the two J112s lift around the point. We stayed in phase with the shifts and came out ahead of Utopia and only letting Avalon gain from the short cut.
The rest of the work to Goat Island was frustratingly slow but we pulled back a little on Avalon and rounded in the dirty air of Much Ado V. Around the Island Joli overtook us to windward and Dump Truck came up from leeward. At this stage there was no wind on the water despite a nice showing from the flags on the Harbour Bridge.
Meridian came up from behind and all of the fleet including the big Ausreo bunched up behind.
Avalon had now bolted and Much Ado V established a good break on a very large bunch of us including the 80th birthday celebrating crew on Flashback. Dump Truck correctly decided that the race was not going to be finished on time and started the engine. Once around Goat Island we could see Dump Truck pretending to Much Ado V that they were still in the race and catching them. The rest of the optimists in the fleet were spread out across the river. Here we again did well to hold out the rest of the fleet although Flashback went wide around Greenwich Point and it would have been interesting to see how the race to the finish would have ended. For the record we did hold out Joli and the fast finishing Lisdillon but had it been a real race Lisdillon would have beaten Passion X on handicap.
Conditions on the deck were ideal for the post race BBQ
The Ker 11.3 twins approaching Goat island.
Passion X is out of the picture to the right of the screen
The fleet clearing Onion Point
The Black Fleet leaving Humbug
Dump Truck catching Passion X on the way to Goat Island