12 X-Yachts in Great Competition
The 2005 edition of the Australian X-Yachts Cup was held at Middle Harbour Yacht Club on Friday the 8th of April. A fleet of 12 X-Yachts competed in two divisions, spinnaker and non-spinnaker. The two races were conducted under IRC, so there were no complaints about handicaps from any of the participants.
Spinnaker Division
The first race was a windward-leeward course with 2 beats and two runs. The 8 knot north-easter was trying to settle in and build, but there were some holes in the breeze across the course. Howard De Torres on his IMX-40 “Nips-N-Tux” was a bit too keen in the first start and was recalled. “Great Xpectations”, the X-43 owned by Rod Wills hit the line at speed and had a great start. After 4 legs of close racing, “Great Xpectations” was first to finish, just ahead of “Nips-N-Tux”. “Sextant”, an X-412 owned by Denis Doyle and Lynne Smith showed that they were there to defend the X-Yachts Cup from last year and were third boat home and first on corrected time.
Non-Spinnaker Division
The first race in the non-spinnaker division was just as exciting. “White Satin” had a fantastic start and powered off the line, Bill and Nevine Neills X-43 looked unbeatable. A tack off to starboard not long after the start proved to be costly for them as there wasn’t much pressure on that side of the course. This gave David McLeans new X-37 “Solveig” and Graham Smiths new X-43 “Scaramouche” an opportunity to fight back. “Scaramouche” sailed away from her smaller rival and managed to score a line honours and handicap double from “Solveig”. The aptly named “Viking”, an X-382 owned by Rob and Kerrie Clisdell finished third on handicap.
Second Race
Race two was another windward-leeward course, this time with 3 beats and 3 runs. The breeze had built to 12 knots and was more consistent across the race course. An even start for all yachts saw the spinnaker division fleet get away with MHYC Commodore Ian Box leading the way in his X-442 “Toy Box”. Choosing the favoured left side of the course proved to be a winning move, “Toy Box” was first yacht to finish and first on corrected time as well. “Nips-N-Tux” was second yacht home and second on handicap with “Great Xpectations” third in both.
The second start for the non-spinnaker fleet saw “Solveig” win the start, “Scaramouche” started just to windward of the X-37 and both boats stayed together up the middle of the course. “Viking” and “Fergus” an X-412 owned by John and Renee Williamson-Noble went hard left off the start and were only just behind the leaders at the top mark. As the race progressed, “Scaramouche” extended her lead to be first home with “White Satin” second and “Solveig” third. The handicap results were “Scaramouche”, “Solveig” and “Viking”
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