23rd May 2009

Surfing conditions on Sydney Harbour

By Peter Campbell

Photo - Riding the waves off Neilson Park on Saturday was taken by Neil Patchett of NSW Maritime.

While surfers enjoyed the somewhat rare opportunity of riding the waves off Neilson Park and Balmoral Beach on Saturday, a smaller fleet from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron sailed their boats in fresh to strong winds and a somewhat rough Harbour.

The Squadron fleet was joined out racing by RANSA’s fleet, but Middle Harbour Yacht Club abandoned for the day because of the heavy easterly swell rolling in through the Heads.

In Division 1, victory went to the Sydney 36CR ISuper, skippered by Peter Campbell (not the author of this report) with a well-sailed race, finishing fourth in fleet and taking handicap honours from Jackpot (Ray Entwistle) and Great Expectations (Rod Willis).

Only four boats turned out for Division 2, with line and handicap honours going to John Anstey’s Kupa Gila,  with Kerstin II (John Bowman/Ken Chase/Julian Goldie) placing second and Therapy (Tom Cehak) third.

A similar-sized fleet sailed in the Non-spinnaker Division with victory going to Azzura (Michael Baston) from Crackajack (Chris Harper & Dennis Galvin) and Limelight (Alan Husband).

With several top placed Winter Series boats not competing, there are new pointscore leaders in two divisions.

ISuper’s win in Division 1 has lifted her to first place with Campeador on 17 points; Euphoria and Arcturus II 20 points.

Kupa Gila’s win in Division 2 was her second of the Winter Series and she now has 13 points on the board,  well clear of Kerstin II on 18 and Therapy 21 points.

In the Non-spinnaker Division,  the consistent Limelight now heads the pointscore with 8 points, ahead of  Gary Connery’s Enigma, which did not compete on Saturday, and Crackajack,  both with 11 points.