We were indeed fortunate with the weather on the rain front as there was a prolonged break in the rain during the race. On the other hand the breeze was well under forecast. Joli and Passion X both had crew numbers appropriate for the 20 knot forecast breeze but a bit over the top for the 10 knots we had. That did not stop us getting first and second on handicap and while Joli was a clear winner Passion X had to fight for every second to beat Allegro on handicap.
On Passion X we made the chase a bit harder than it should have been by being 15 seconds behind the line at the start. We went low to avoid the dirty air of the fleet to windward and sailed parallel to Fidelis, Joli and Allegro to the top mark.
At the rounding we continued on starboard enough to get clear air on the leading three and were rewarded with a lift above the leaders. In hindsight we should have used the lift to get more boat speed and try to get ahead of the next shift but alas we went too high and sailed into the quiet air in the lee of Steele Point.
Joli and Fidelis out wide tacked on a big knock and came back ahead. Allegro chased Passion X along the shore and we had an extended passage side be side sailing into Rose Bay. As we approached the Rose Bay mark Fidelis dropped down on our line giving us a dose of dirty air at which point Allegro started to nudge ahead to leeward. As we tacked for the mark Amanti came in on starboard so we stayed high giving them room to round but they managed to touch in the rounding and went back for a second go. That gave us room to chase Fidelis and try to stay ahead of Allegro. Around the Point Piper mark Joli, Fidelis and Allegro went deep while Passion X went straight to the mark. In that phase Joli drew further ahead, Allegro passed Passion X to leeward and effectively sailed around us while Fidelis did not enjoy the detour and dropped two places. The rest of the way home was a drag race chasing Allegro and trying to stay ahead of Fidelis.
We never caught Allegro but managed to cross the line ahead of Fidelis and Amanti who never made up the extra turns in Rose Bay.
Chasing Fidelis
Nose by nose with Allegro into Rose Bay
Allegro goes deep and around Passion X