On Saturday 28th September over 25 yachts from all over NSW gathered on Sydney’s Pittwater for the popular annual Performance Boating Sales Jeanneau Rendezvous.
Following several days of pretty dismal weather, weather that didn’t deter several boats from coming up from the harbour for the event, the daystarted with showers which cleared an hour before the start. As yachts gathered the sun conveniently appeared and it remained dry with good mixed breeze all day.
Yachts in the cruising division left at 9am, then yachts in both the non-spinnaker and spinnaker divisions started in pursuit with start times based on their expected performance in the given conditions and expected duration. So, first home wins!
The 16km course for the spinnaker division was from Newport, home of the two largest yacht clubs on Pittwater, around the scenic Lion Island to port, and then up the river to a finish off Challenger Head. The more relaxed non-spinnaker fleet crossed the same start line before setting off to turn to port at West Head in Kuringai-Chase National Park giving them a 13km course to sail to the finish line.
With 12 yachts in the non-spinnaker division and 6 in the spinnaker division the fleet headed off in a nice 15 knot S’Easter, but unexpectedly only 2km into the course the latter two-thirds of the fleet experienced a huge header and a drop in wind to struggle passed Long Nose Point, after which the wind filled back in from the S’East.
The Sun Odyssey 349 “Elysium” from Middle Harbour, being sailed two-handed by co-owners John de Meur and Aki Hirato, managed to stay in breeze and were 10 minutes in the lead at West Head, before turning downwind and into the Hawkesbury River. A line of 8 yachts virtually side-by-side followed, with the spinnaker division closing on their heels. However, the spinnaker division separated as they headed for Lion Island.
The non-spinnaker yachts goose-winged, used a pole, tacked downwind, with places changed constantly as the typically gusty river sent boats surging down the 1 metre seas, and then sailing out of wind to slow considerably until the next puff.
“Elysium” managed to stay out in front coming home for both line honours and the division win, but just two minutes behind them there was a very exciting tussle for 2nd and 3rd between three yachts, the SO479 “Bellisima”, SO419 “Shell”, and SO410 “Albatross”. They finished side-by-side with only two metres between each. “Albatross” just pipped “Shell”, which left “Bellisima” in 4th.
Less than a minute later the Sun Fast 37 “Midnight’s Promise” crossed the line, followed by a steady stream of finishers, with the brand new Sun Odyssey 350 being skippered by Shoal Harbour identity Ken Barnard and the 44DS “Allegria II” of Philippe Laurens finished in a dead heat for 11th. There wasn’t a centimetre between them!
Meanwhile Frank Milner and crew on SO349 “Pinta Bay” had come through from behind, but were being chased hard by SO379 “Red Cloud”, “Pinta” with a large symmetric spinnaker and Red Cloud with an Assy. The wind was backing further, and these yachts were further North than the SO410 “Cheeky” and SO389 “Mynooka”.
The “Pinta Bay” crew were struggling to hang onto their spinnaker as they closed the line with only 300 metres to go when it split into three pieces. While they regained control, doused what was left of it and unfurled their headsail “Red Cloud” managed to just get over the top of them to win by half a boat length! Less than a minute later the SO410 “Cheeky” crossed the line, very closely followed by the SO389 “Mynooka”.
In the cruising division Dirk and Annie, who have circumnavigated the World on their SO439 “Esprit III”, had a great sail to lead the cruising division into Cowan Creek. Hat’s off to Frank on the SO349 “Pinta Bay” and Marcus on the SO36i “Aurora II” who worked their crews to the bone short tacking all the way up the fjord-like Coal and Candle Creek to the marina at Akuna just for the fun of it! Reportedly at least 40 tacks……
On arrival to the D’Albora Marina at Akuna Bay the friendly staff guided all the yachts into pens and crews wound down after a great morning’s sailing.
All the crews then gathered for a luxurious three course lunch at the magnificent San Martin restaurant overlooking the marina. After complimentary drinks and grazing platters from Performance Boating Sales, the attendees were seated to enjoy the atmosphere and the appropriate French music.
Performance Boating Sales director Lee Condell welcomed all the participants, particularly those who made the effort in very inclement weather to sail up from Sydney Harbour in the preceding days, and also made welcome those who were attending a Rendezvous for the first time.
After the main course the medals were handed out to 1st, 2nd & 3rd for the racing divisions as follows, along with Seldon vouchers from Contender Sailcloth:
Spinnaker Division:
1st – “Red Cloud” – Ian Clare – Sun Odyssey 379
2nd – “Pinta Bay” – Frank Milner – Sun Odyssey 349
3rd – “Cheeky” – Raquel Tapia – Sun Odyssey 410
Non-Spinnaker Division:
1st – “Elysium” – John de Meur + Aki Hirata – Sun Odyssey 349
2nd – “Albatross” – Marilyn & Greg White – Sun Odyssey 410
3rd – “Shell” – Ben Spannenberg – Sun Odyssey 419
The Perpetual Line-Honours award, which was donated some years ago by Jeanneau 53 owner Willie Whyte, went to the SO349 “Elysium” who sailed superbly to lead the racing fleets home by 3 minutes.
After the main course the spot prizes were awarded from our generous sponsors, over $13,000 in value! We would like to thank those sponsors listed below for their generous support of the event. These prizes are drawn from a hat, except for the vouchers from Any Port Marine who provided one for each entry. One popular alteration was made to the draw so that the voucher from sailmaker Brad Anson went to “Pinta Bay” in the hope that their spinnaker can be repaired!
The prizes from our two primary sponsors, a $1500 antifouling voucher from The Quays Marina, and an inflatable SUP from marine insurers Pantaenius Australia were also drawn. The prize from The Quays Marine going to Paul and Isabel on their SO410 “Jupiter II”, and the SUP from Pantaenius to Onno and Deb on their SO389 “Mynooka”. Our sincere thanks to these two companies, not only for these prizes, but also to The Quays for making available their RIB as a committee vessel, and to Nick from Pantaenius who drove their RIB with the photographer for the day. As always Andrew Hawkins from BoatCrewGear.com was involved, both as a sponsor and helping with the logistics of the day, along with Andy from PBS.
Sponsors with thanks: The Quays Marina, Pantaenius Insurance, SB Marine Trimming, Marinetune, Skinner Shipwrights, On Deck Rigging, BoatCrewGear.com, Brad Anson Sails, Michael’s detailing, Harken, Boat Stripes, Bambak, Any Port Marine, Contender/Seldon.
