Dave in concentration mode on the day
In drifting conditions we scored first on handicap today. The conditions were ideal for Passion as we were able to pole out the big genoa to leeward at first and then to windward later on the downwind leg and the windward work was a short one to the shortened course finish line.
We started well at the boat end in less tide than the windward yachts and maintained our position near the front of the fleet for the downwind leg. Several times our competitors crossed us looking for breeze on one side of the course or the other while we kept a more conservative track. I moved the sailing angle around with the breeze quite aggressively to keep the air flowing over the genoa and that seemed to pay off rather more that chasing the breeze on the sides of the course. Amanti, Allegro and Larrikin all crossed within metres of us but suffered by going in too close the south head shore.
Fidelis managed to get out in front criss crossing the rhumb line while Britannia managed to pass us with a similar pole out to leeward and windward strategy. When I say pass us they just had the clear ahead position at the turning mark as we had to swing wide to avoid them. That allowed Allegro to round tighter and sail over the top of us on the windward return to a very shortened course. Kevin spotted a lift ahead so we tacked for the breeze and managed to cover most of the fleet. The extra width to windward allowed us to keep Passion moving to the finish line just ahead of Agrovation. In the short work to the finish line Allegro gained a minute and twenty seconds on us which shows how well she travels to windward.
For the first time ever we beat Amanti, a Sydney 36 cr over the line so we knew we would have a good handicap result. Agrovation managed a good second on handicap so it was a good day for the Jeanneaus.