Most boats in Devonport, Hobart fleet on West Coast

by Sam Sabey on 29 Dec 2000 Sam Sabey 28/12/2000

Indec Consulting 2000 Melbourne - Hobart

The Melbourne Hobart fleet is bunched up at the 'Gate' the strip of water between Gape Grim, and
King Island. This is where the race starts again, as the
Fleet make their way down the scenic, and often exhilarating West Coast.

It will be an interesting race between Colour Solutions, Ruffian II, Yoko and Wavelength, with these
four boats line abreast in the middle of the gate as to
who has the best strategy on the tide change. Robin Hewitt skipper of Yoko is tipped to come out
on top, however with his damaged mainsail, the race will
be wide open.

The leaders Tevake and Wild one are really close to the shore, trying to get some lifts off the coast
near Cape Grim, and it would seem that this may the
beginning of a strategy that we will see play out over the next few days.

They are being pursued by Morning Star and Anaconda who are duelling it out off West Point, while
Andromeda III is riding astern of the fleet, hopefully
enjoying themselves!

Meanwhile, Under Capricorn is anchored by Three Hummock Island effecting repairs to their failed
main halyard. They chose this option after many
attempts up the mast in vicious seas failed to give them any joy.

Though the fleet this year looks to have a tough time ahead, with the order of the day 20-30 knots
from the South West. This looks to be the continuing
modus operandi for the next 3-3 days as the fleet chomps up that southerly airstream coming
express post off from Antarctica.



Melbourne to Devonport

The Melbourne - Devonport Fleet, having a quick run across Bass Strait has begun arriving, with
most boats either finished, or approaching the finish.

Little Ida is still battling it out there with 80 miles to go, and our hearts go out to those guys doing it
the tough way, expected to finish some time tomorrow
morning