This year’s ANZ Auckland-Port Denarau yacht race is one of the most testing in recent times, Bare Essentials crew member Hugh Maybin said. Bare Essentials is the Royal Suva Yacht Club entry.
She was expected to finish last night at fourth place in the race for line honours and the President’s Cup.
Maybin, through his satellite phone, told the Fiji Sun the race was memorable for the range of conditions the sailors faced.
“From gales to perfect sailing to wind and no wind to frustrating calms,” he said.
The 60-footer O Canada and its professional crew crossed the finishing line at Navula Passage on Friday morning to take the President’s Cup.
O Canada had led the 17-yacht fleet much of the way from Auckland. Second yacht home was the Bakewell-White designed Wired yesterday, followed by the 50-footer Ran Tan II due in last night.
Meanwhile, the rest of the fleet are working hard to finish before tonight’s President’s Cup presentation ceremony at Port Denarau Yacht Club.
This is above Cardo’s restaurant on the Port Denarau marina waterfront.
The race is organised by Auckland’s famous Royal Akarana Yacht Club in association with the new Port Denarau Yacht Club.
Some yachts are not predicted to finish until Monday and Wednesday.
Positions in the various handicap divisions are being worked out by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club.
But they cannot be finalised until the fleet is in.
Fiji Sun – NANDIKA CHAND