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Photo by Darcie Collington

Paul Stubbs, skipper of Irukandji writes, 'We were already looking forward to Saturday as we had a full crew for the first time this season.

After the delayed start due to the wind shifts, we were a bit surprised to see only Ambitious with us at the pin end of the line which we felt was favoured. We both got off to a fairly good start and headed off to Kirribilli, wondering which side of the harbour to stick to, to avoid the tide as much as possible.

We managed to secure a good lift as we approached Robertsons Point and played that along the Cremorne Point shoreline while it lasted.

Our choice seemed to work out quite well as we were first around the mark and hoisted our big kite. By the time we got to Point Piper we were well ahead and turned back for Kirribilli.

We repeated the process for subsequent legs and noticed the clouds were building across the south-west indicating some kind of change was brewing. It was difficult to judge when it would hit or how it would impact but inevitably the lull came on the second last beat up to Kirribilli.

As we approached the mark, we saw most of the fleet bringing the fresh nor’easter down with them and catching us rapidly. Anyway, we did the only thing possible and kept going as best we could.

For the final leg back to Kirribilli we hoisted the big kite for one last time, looking over our shoulders to see what happened and were a bit surprised to see nobody else with a kite up (or none we could identify anyway). It was very shy, but we managed to hang onto it to cross the line with a handy lead, which turned out to be enough to give us the daily double.

Thanks to the crew who were faultless the whole afternoon and the weather gods who gave us enough to work with!'

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