Latest News

David FitzSimons, skipper of Koolaroo writes, ‘For the first race of the PONANT Friday Twilight series in the new year, the weather was close to perfect, with a steady 12 to 15 knot breeze. The handicapper had been kind and we got a minute back, starting with Flying Turtle two minutes after Akiiki and a minute after Alouette.

We went for a traditional start with full main and were happy with hitting the line powered up on starboard tack, sheets just sprung, to windward and behind Turtle and Alouette.

First leg, we took a bit out of Turtle and rounded just behind her to come onto the breeze for the long work to the far mark. The brains trust advised keeping to the Eastern shore so we were amongst the last to tack as we neared Shark Island and so worked our way up the course with a couple of close tacks and one duck to avoid starboard tackers.

Akiiki and Oisin rounded the far mark first and second. We got there, close to and to windward of Turtle. With no overlap we were very thankful for Phil kindly giving us plenty of room to get round comfortably. Thanks Phil, your reward will be in Heaven!

We headed for home in third position and kept close to the Western shore to avoid the huge liner coming up the Harbour. We rounded Shark close to but behind Oisin with Akiiki well ahead.



So, the final leg was a broad reach drag race for the money. Wind remained strong but with some gusts, so we kept low in the gusts and heated it up in the lulls. Akiiki went very high and Oisin chose a mid-course. With half a mile to go it was still anyone’s race, but we were able to just pip the others to record a most satisfying win with a slim margin of 18 second over Akiiki and 22 seconds over Oisin.

It is always a privilege to get onto Sydney Harbour but this race was made all the more memorable because it was my ten year old Grandson’s first race and he was able to helm for the last ten seconds as we crossed the line.’

See the full results