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Rod Pearse skipper of Ultreya writes, ‘For the last race of the Spring Series, there was a three-way contest between Ultreya, Peregrine and Cuckoo’s Nest for the series win. It was a hot day and not much wind.

Course six was set by the race officer, Nicholas Hogg; three loops from Shark to Kirribilli Mark and back then to Rose Bay mark and back to a Kirribilli finish. The wind was from the East. The start was west of Shark Island.

Ultreya crossed the start line below Sydney and midline in 4 knots. We raised the S1 and sailed downwind towards KP. Sydney and most of the fleet did nor persist with spinnakers in the light and fluky conditions but we managed to complete the first leg under spinnaker and were well placed around the mark.

The wind was from the East, 5 to 10 knots, shifty and variable as forecast for the work to Shark. We had good boat speed and height under the LM, a timely return to Ultreya's early season competitiveness.

WE rounded SM slightly behind Chainsaw and Whistling Kite the first time but ahead of Erica, Cuckoos, Hell Razer and Peregrine. Very promising.

We delayed raising the S1 for a couple of hundred metres to clear the wind shadow from Shark Island then had a straight run again under S1 in 6/10 knots back to KP.

Erica rounded KP before Chainsaw and Whistling Kite with Ultreya close behind and ahead of Cuckoos, Hell Razer and Peregrine.

It was anybody's race at the half way point.

Ultreya rounded KP smoothly the third time but Cuckoos a few boat lengths behind us wrapped its Kite and fell behind. We needed to stay in front of Peregrine to secure the Series.

Ultreya found its rhythm and held off the challenge from Hell Razer which was sailing higher with Peregrine a few minutes further back.

It was tricky work manoeuvring through a big fleet of lasers off Shark to RM and then a run in 12 knots to the Kirribilli finish. Elapsed time just under three hours.

Sydney first over the line and then Erica and Whistling Kite.

Whistling Kite first on handicap, by a minute from Chainsaw with Ultreya a minute and half back in third position. Peregrine fourth, two minutes behind Ultreya and two minutes ahead of Sydney in fifth position. Then Erica, Hell Razer and Cuckoos.

Ultreya finished on 28 points and won the Spring Series by a point from Peregrine and two points from Cuckoo’s Nest. Chainsaw on 33 points and Erica 38 points fourth and fifth.

It was a great Spring season. Very close all day and at the end.’

See the full results

Phot by Ian Woodforth