Pittwater to Coffs

Sunday 4th January
By Damian Devine

 Richard Rowe's Hanse 540, Moksha, the "big Jaffa" claimed its first ocean race victory of any distance by cruising to victory to win the PHS Division by just under two hours over the Swan 40, Byzance out of the Balmain Sailing Club skippered by David Saunders with Michael Martin's  Sayer 11.9 Frantic representing the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club picking up the bronze.

 Having covered a lot of cruising miles since taking ownership in August 2007 and with all the modern day luxury cruising comforts down below, the reaching conditions in reasonable breeze were always going to suit Moksha's waterline length once this heavy boats momentum got going. They were tipped as one of the dark horses pre race if these strong reaching conditions prevailed. Fortunately for them they did and it played right into their hands.

 Moksha, the Hanse 540 winner of PHS Division at the start of the race - photo by Damian Devine

 Richard Rowe aboard Moksha was thrilled with the PHS win. "It's a fantastic feeling for us to win and for the seven crew on board, two of whom had never sailed with us before.  The reaching conditions, reasonable breeze and lumpy seas suited the big boat. We just ploughed through it. We've got a pretty casual racing crew and we just had a good time racing up the coast. We're looking forward to the Solitary race tomorrow although I don't think we'll do so well with the forecast.'

By Division in PHS, in Division 1 the results saw Moksha in 1st, Frantic in 2nd witth the Dibley 46 from the CYCA, skippered by John Cameron in 3rd.

In Division 2, the podium had the Swan 40, Byzance, the 3rd last finisher crossing the finish line at 11:02pm last night on top from Freya, a Hanse 411 from the RSYS and the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club's Andrew Johnson's Northshore 380 sports Overdrive in 3rd, replicating the position he attained last year.

"It was a bit of a drag race and the first night was really interesting in the strong pressure," said Andrew and "we're pleased with the result and already looking forward to coming back next year." 

The Solitary Island offshore race, kicks off at 12pm in Coffs Harbour in forecasted light 8-10knots ESE breeze under clear, blue skies. The race makes up the two race series and the series winners will be declared at the prize giving tomorrow evening at the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club.

Final results were:

Line Honours:

1. Perpetual Mocean

2. Pretty Woman

3. Ausmaid

Overall IRC:

1. About Time

2. Pretty Woman

3. Dark & Stormy Witch

IRC Division 1:

1. About Time

2.Pretty Woman

3. Tidetech Eleven

IRC Division 2:

1. Dark & Stormy Witch

2. Preddytor

3. Swish

PHS Overall:

1. Moksha

2. Byzance

3. Frantic

PHS Division 1:

1. Moksha

2. Frantic

3. More Witchcraft

PHS Division 2:

1. Byzance

2. Freya