7:26 PM Fri 19 Feb 2010 GMT
The Lexus 60th Adelaide - Port Lincoln yacht race started off Outer Harbor at 3pm in light southerly airs, total starters number 70 with 54 in the racing fleet.
The racing fleet got away on the first attempt with a strong flooding tide holding them back from the line. The cruising fleet had already left at 10am, with the multi-hull division starting at 3:15pm
The winner of the start, coincidently winner of the Sydney Hobart race, was Andrew Saies's, Beneteau 40, Two True emerging from the middle of the line.
The race favourite Robert Date's (Reichel/Pugh designed) Scarlet Runner buried in the fleet, with Geoff Boettcher's (Reichel/Pugh designed) Secret Men's Business 3.5 (SMB3.5) quickly tacked round the start boat heading into the Gulf of St Vincent, with Scarlet Runner immediately following.
SMB3.5, recently lengthened, is presently leading the Australian IOR championship and is also the holder of the race record set last year.
SMB3.5 nailed its advantage opening up an immediate lead to weather, with Scarlet Runner opting for a code 0 at the expense of height.
The fleet followed out into the ferocious tide but lifting tack as they headed to the turning mark off Marion reef, the first mark in the 156nm race.
The race is set for a tactical battle with a dying breeze overnight and an upwind finish into Port Lincoln. Steve Kemp the chair of the race organising committee and navigator on SMB3.5 said 'no chance of a record this year' continuing 'along the bottom of the foot (Yorke Peninsula) possibly the race will restart in this area'.
Andrew Saies commenting on the race forecast, 'what we like to see is where conditions are mixed up, it becomes about boat handling, conditions and strategy, this race we will see all of that'.
Asked to comment on how important local knowledge will be with NW winds heading into Port Lincoln.'It will make it very interesting, I don't think I've ever sailing into a North Westerly in the Lincoln race and I've been doing the race for the last 25 years! The traditional downwind gybe to the finish line is not going to happen. It's going to be an upwind last half to the race'.
'This boat loves upwind sailing, it's going to make a great race for us!' he said
Asked about the race favourite Scarlet Runner, Geoff Boettcher's said 'Foot and half bigger, 45 secs per hour, not much in it, should beat us by 15 min', Asked if he would like to turn Scarlet red 'we would love to put our nose in front him at the finish'. Continuing he said 'very tactical right to last moment getting weather information to indicate where we go left and where we go right, at this stage straight on the rum line'.
Asked if he had concerns about coming into Port Lincoln with such hazards as fish farms (mentioned in the race briefing) 'I think Steve Kemp just put some wind up the Victorians by saying that' said Geoff.
The Lexus Adelaide- Port Lincoln race attracts racers across the sailing community with the oldest boat in the fleet the Geoff Wallbridge's 74 year old ketch Solace, built by Searles boatyard formerly of Port Adelaide, competing. Geoff said 'would be happy to make 5 to 6 knots and we plan to sail up the coast rather than across the tide'
One of the youngest competitors 16 year Kara Kilgariff, sailing on Keith Finch's, Beneteau 47.7 Rapid1, is a graduate of the Royal SA Yacht Squadon's junior program said 'I really enjoy the competition, meeting new people and camaraderie'
With an approaching trough, winds are expected to drop out in the early hours of Saturday morning before freshening to a NW gradient, creating a long beat across Boston Bay as boats sail across the southern ocean swells.
Competitors sail past Thistle Island, close to shark infested Dangerous reef and into Port Lincoln avoiding local hazards of fish farms, oyster leases and pots.
The race is held in one of the most pristine environments, with dramatic cliff scapes, water more sapphire than blue and intense sunshine. Boats navigate Investigator straight, turn slightly to starboard across Spencer Gulf. Look to port and you see nothing but penguins, look ahead to the marine desert of the Great Australian Bight.
The hospitality from the locals in Port Lincoln is legendary, boats being met with slabs of beer before enjoying fine seafood and music. Port Lincoln week immediately follows, sailing in some of best waters that Australia has to offer.
Local video production house dreamstreams.tv will be releasing an online video of the start and interviews.
by Steve Hall
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