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Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore - Tollgate Islands Race Start

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  • 18 Oct, 2024 09:57:00 PM
Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore - Tollgate Islands Race Start
2024 Tollgate Islands Race start. Image: Ashley Dart

Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore - Tollgate Islands Race Start

At 1900hrs, the fleet got underway in the third race of the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore Series – the Tollgate Islands Race. The winds, lighter than forecast, were from the N/NE at around 10-12 knots, enabling the larger yachts to swiftly stretch their legs.

The first boats out of the heads were Comanche, URM Group, Whisper, and Smuggler. The first yacht under 50 feet to follow was XS Moment, with the remaining pack of competitors trailing not far behind.

As predicted, the storm cell expected to hit the fleet soon after the start showed its first signs just over 30 minutes into the race, bringing rain and the possibility of thunder and lightning offshore. The wind, forecast to shift west and later south, suggests a long and wet night ahead as the fleet braces for the incoming southerly.

The storm cell had a clear impact offshore, with URM Group navigator Alice Parker reporting: “Around 2000hrs we were hit by a solid squall, with moments of 30-knot winds. Things have calmed down on the back side of the storm clouds, and we’re now back in a light northerly gradient of 8-10 knots.”

Approaching three hours of racing, Philosopher has retired due to gear failure, along with Navy One due to rig damage. All crew are safe.

Meanwhile, Comanche and URM Group remain at the front of the fleet, tracking parallel to the Royal National Park, south of Cronulla, with speeds of 10 and 9 knots respectively. At the rear of the fleet, Millennium Falcon has just passed Bondi’s Ben Buckler.

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