Bush Point Race Results and Distance Series Final Results

This generally popular series was plagued this year by winds not following their forecast (so what else is new?).

The first race, Smith Island One, had the most reasonable predicted and consistent winds. Seven boats completed the 27.7 mile course in about 5 hrs.

For the second race there was a Gale warning in the Strait so plan B (New in the SI’s this year) was called, and a longish course (7.1 nm) was set around the buoys within the bay in the anticipation of it being more sheltered. It is possible that many of our racers are unaware of this alternate opportunity to race when it is dangerous outside the bay. Five Thunderbirds and the Sweden 45 came out. Three Birds finished within 4 minutes, the rest retired.

Protection Island One had the biggest fleet of the series with Eight boats. The wind at the start was good and the fleet quickly disappeared round Pt Hudson but apparently conditions deteriorated from there as there were no finishers.

Smith Island Two was another race that started well but no-one could finish. Unfortunately the RC is missing the records of who started in the race, if they are recovered the post will be updated. Not every boat posted their DNF after the race.

Protection Island Two needed two attempts to get started as the slowly growing breeze was unstable. In the end there was not enough breeze by the island to stem the change of tide and again no one finished. This is another instance of a missing starter list.

For the Bush Point race we have all the records. Five boats started and five boats finished, most taking around four hours  for the 17 miles of tricky currents and avoiding big ships.