The weather forecast promised 20 knots blowing up from the south so we opted for the No3 jib. Some of our fleet was similarly convinced by the forecast and last weeks winner Fidelis opted for a small jib and reefed main. Hitchhike also had a reef in the main so we felt in good company. The wind was pretty well down the course but favouring the port gybe. We opted for the safe start on starboard gybe and timed the start well to clear the pin and have clear air from slightly over the port side. For the first half of the run we continued a bit over square with clear air and managed to lead the fleet. The gybe to port to make the mark left us in the dirty air of the fleet and Foreign Affairs ran past but for the second week we were second to the first mark.
The first part of the work back to Steele Point was in fresh air and we did quite well although Allegro and Amante were quicker and picked the shifts better. A knock meant we had to tack away from Steele Point just at the time when a small lift would have saved us a lot of time. That and the last tack of the day possibly accounted for a minute at the finish. For this first forced tack we lost a couple of places. The least successful part of our day was the work from rose Bay to Point Piper where we did not power up in the lighter conditions. This was also a poor leg last week and we need to anticipate the lighter winds and trim accordingly sooner.
On the final work to the finish we did trim with more power and were pleased with the VMG readings on the instruments and the pace against the competition.
Ahead we could see Joli and Agrovation having a private GFS battle at the expense of their standing in the fleet and while they were playing with each other we made up some ground. Along this whole leg we successfully held out Hitchhike with their reefed main. As they rounded the last naval buoy they received a large lift just as we tacked for the line and got the huge knock. we needed to tack back to cross the line and just managed a few seconds lead over Hitchhike at the finish.
Over the line we were pleased to see Reve who held us out last week and Fidelis both a few minutes behind and we guessed a mid fleet finish for Passion X on handicap and so it was.
Leeward was the handicap winner which was no surprise as today was their conditions.