7 WYC crews signed up for the 2018 Around French Island endurance race:
- Ian & Isy Carson and WIll - Hobie 16
- Martin Corcoran - Taipan 4.9
- Steve & Theodora Cross - Nacra 5.8
- Vincent Cross & Will Fleming - Hobie 16
- Andrew Hill - Taipan 4.9
- Robert & Luke Pease - Hobie 16
- Adam Smith & Joerris Noll - Hobie 16
We also sent 2 rescue boats; Terry de Vries took his Shark Cat with Frank Jurovic and Tracey Swadling and Christiane Coutant took BI12 with Russell Jones.
After a sedate trip across to Cowes Yacht Club, the 2018 race got underway at midday. The race organisers sent us around French Island clockwise, the first time any of the WYC participants had raced in this direction.
Steve and Thoedora capsized early but were soon up and going again and the fleet made steady progress up the west side of the island past Hastings. The Hobie WIldcat and Hobie Tiger from Cowes and a Tornado established a solid lead. Around the rounding mark near Crawfish Rock, the fleet separated with some following the channel and some making the ultimately costly decision to stay close to the north side of the island. The wind continued to pick up and while patchy, at times we were shy reaching at speeds in excess of 14 knots. Vinnie and Will capsized but had the Hobie up again in record time.
We slowed down around the Sandy Spit as the wind eased and then the sea got lumpy as we passed Pelican Island. Theodora was knocked off the Nacra but Steve managed to get her back on board and continued on.
Marty was the first WYC boat in, just 24 minutes behind the Cowes Wildcat so close enoigh to hold the lead on yardstick at that point. Vinnie and Will were the first Hobie 16 in just 6 minutes later and looked to have the time to beat. Rob and Luke finsihed just 5 minutes after that.
At just on 5 hours after the start all the WYC boats had finished with the exception of the Carsons who had experienced a number of swims in the tricky conditions on the south side of the island and in the end had accepted a tow from the Terry de Vries rescue boat (a fast trip apparently)
The results were announced while we enjoyed a drink in the bar. Vinnie and Will had been disqualified for sailing inside the 'restricted zone' on the north side of the island. 6 other boats also suffered the same fate. Rob and Luke had sailed a lefal course and with the second best finishing time they were declared the winner.
A very fast trip back to Balnarring (less than 30 minutes with boats hitting speeds in excess of 16 knots) ensued with the crews finally hitting the showers a little after 7 have covered a little over 100kms.
Full results HERE and more photos HERE
Last Modified on 07/01/2018 07:58