Sailing Magazine
Lake Deneys Yacht Club hosted the 57th Round the Island race yesterday which attracted 297 entrants.
With a fairly steady light wind under a cloudless blue sky, the fleet split into two diverse courses – one heading left towards the Dam Wall, the other right towards Rose Bay.
Both Farriers, ‘Ladybird’ skippered by Andrew Dolloway and ‘Wild Thing’ skippered by Peter How took the Rose Bay option. The Dam wall wind started to die and that part of the fleet promptly began to cut across the Dam to the south side. The Farriers established a strong lead from the fleet, however as they approached the South Bay mark at the Island, ‘Ladybird’ established a clear lead.
Two other contenders appeared – Marc Hammick on a Nacra F20 ‘Swamp Critter’ and Brian Lion-Cachet partnered by Jonathan Crawford on a Multi 23 ‘Faster’.
Around the back of the island ‘Ladybird’ continued to forge ahead and maintained her lead around the second mark on the Island’s north point.
It was at this point when a stiff breeze started to fill in from the north. Alex Schon skippering the Nacra F20 ‘Slumdog’ caught up. He and Lion-Cachet took full advantage of the conditions running along the shore line whilst Dolloway opted for a middle course. Schon and crew Mark Hiles swiftly closed in and overtook ‘Ladybird’.
Having taken the lead Schon never relinquished it and crossed the finish line in 3 hours 32 minutes, despite starting 10 minutes late start.
Lion Cachet followed with ‘Ladybird’ having to settle for third across the line.
Final results will be posted on Wednesday 4 February after 18h00 when the protest deadline has expired.
