No breeze for sailors as they halt at South Solitary Island: 2011 Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
Sailors were troubled on their way to the finish line of 2011 Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, when breeze just refused to blow across the race site and halted them at the South Solitary Island. As a result, sailors couldn’t sail towards Southport, where the race ends. They are now waiting for a fair breeze, which would carry them towards the finish line.
Conditions prevailing at the 2011 Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race are a real test for the sailors and they are finding it quite difficult to sail under such conditions. The 384-nautical-mile race of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is really testing the sailors’ patience and skills.
However, some of the yachts have survived through these conditions. Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki, the defending yacht, somehow survived in such circumstances and managed to reach the finish line. Meanwhile, Living Doll also made it to the finish line successfully.
While speaking to the local media, Living Doll navigator Will Oxley said, “Crew doing a great job of keeping the boat moving in the changing conditions. The next six hours look to be key in the final result. We are in the end of the dying land breeze out of the west-sou-west and expect to finish in an east-nor-east, so there is plenty of wind rotation to happen and some very light air.”
He added, “At this stage, it looks like a close battle with Loki for us. Wild Oats XI has finished, so we know we need to finish by just after 11pm to beat her. Hopefully we can be in by 1800 hours, but it looks like a long day ahead.”
The overall result is given below.
1. Wild Oats XI, Mark Richards NSW – Race Time: 01:18:11:27, Speed: 9.1
2. Investec Loyal, Anthony Bell NSW - Race Time: 01:18:20:49, Speed: 9.1
3. Loki, Stephen Ainsworth NSW - Race Time: 02:00:34:06, Speed: 7.9
4. Living Doll, Michael Hiatt VIC - Race Time: 02:02:52:36, Speed: 7.5
5. Lahana, Peter Millard NSW - Race Time: 02:03:29:26, Speed: 7.5
6. Brindabella, Bradshaw Kellett NSW - Race Time: 02:05:35:27, Speed: 7.2
7. Ragamuffin, Syd Fischer NSW - Race Time: 02:10:08:08, Speed: 6.6
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