Garde Wins Name Sake Event

 

The day had all the makings of a great event, a sold out ferry, with plenty of food and drinks, a nice big rig breeze and 21 top class skiffs. There were some teething problems with rounding marks drifting which caused a delayed of start and only two races run instead of the scheduled three. The race committee did a fantastic job under the testing circumstances, and also had to deal with a shifting East South East breeze.

 

Garde bolted out of the blocks in the first race to lead at the first mark. Panadol Rapid also had a great first work to round 2nd, followed by Maersk Line in 3rd.

 

Garde extended their lead down the first kite run in fresh air, and went on to record a victory in the Zhik sponsored race. Lincoln Crowne came thru to pick up 2nd and Gemmell Sails third.  Lane Cove Framing won the handicap, with Geotherm 2nd.

 

Race 2 got underway after the breeze came and went a few times. This time it was Andrew Short Marine’s turn to bolt from the start, Lincoln Crown didn’t have to fight there way thru the fleet on this occasion, pulling into second place right away. The leading 2 increased the gap away from the rest of the fleet, which was crowded at the mark roundings. The breeze died right out down the spinnaker run, ASM showing great poise to stay ahead of Lincoln, and go on to win the Deckhardware/Allwood sails heat. Garde picked up 3rd.

 

This meant that Garde and Lincoln finished equal 1st on 4 points. Garde having won heat 1 takes the victory on a count back.

The results at this stage are provisional, pending a protest involving ASM. Thistle Hill wines won the handicap for heat 2, with Datacall 2nd.

 

Lane Cove Framing picked up 4th in the heat, enough to seal them the handicap victory.

 

Special thanks to the event sponsor, Garde and the heat sponsors, Zhik, Gemmell Sails, Deckhardware and Allwood Sails. Also to the race committee David and Leasa Speck, Garry and Christine Hobson. Thanks to the helpers of the ferry organization and food preparation.

 

Skiff-Ed