Wow, what an exciting and interesting start to the Ray White NP Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge. Malcolm Dickson on Sarau tacked on the start line to be the first to cross. Mister Lucky laid the mark in a single tack, being the first to round. The fleet disappeared quickly over the horizon in 15kn from the NW. As darkness fell Sarau was heading NW with 5 of the fleet following a more westerly direction, converging close together. An IRC dual was occurring between Mister Lucky and Melting Pot.
Allegresse returned to port late afternoon, from 12nm out to resolve an issue onboard. She and Mike Carter headed back out at first light and are making great pace and ground today in a very uncomfortable sea.
Overnight conditions have been busy and challenging with 44kn and a very bumpy sea. Skippers reported all good onboard during this morning’s schedule, if a little wet.
Lucy onboard Nerissa K developed some sail and electronic issues with her chartplotter and AIS late yesterday afternoon. Her sail issues saw her crabbing at 2-3 knots overnight. Lucy has been unsuccessful in resolving the issues in the rough choppy sea and is heading back to port.
Meanwhile back in Port Taranaki, Apriori remains on her mooring suffering autopilot issues during the prestart checks.
Malcolm Dickson and Sarau currently lead the fleet 180nm from the port, doing 6.5kn. Mister Lucky and Mark Hipgrave are leading the IRC division at 165nm with a VMG of 5.9kn
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