Xena enters Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race

by Georgie Brown on 30 Dec 2000 Infinity III takes out line honours in Race 1 - Friday December 29, 2000

Xena, the boat tipped to blitz the Hobart fleet has entered the Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs
Harbour Race. The inclusion of the water ballasted Open 60 has increased the chances of the
race record being broken with a top fleet that includes last year's line honours winner Infinity III
(Martin James).

Infinity III today took out line honours in the IRC division today in the first race of the five race
series, a 10nm windward leeward course off Pittwater. In light 5-6kn winds and calm seas, she
coasted over the line after the race had been delayed for an hour due to the light conditions.

The race record for the Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race stands at 20hrs, 56 mins,
56 seconds, recorded by Arthur Bloore's The Office in 1984.

Other contenders for the record include Future Shock, Wild Thing and the Coffs Harbour entry
and another Open 60, RSL Com, skippered by Coffs Harbour sailmaker Pierre Gal and
round-the world sailor John Biddlecombe. Gal took out line honours in the Strathfield Pittwater
to Coffs Harbour Race in 1998 in the Open 60, Jarkan. Wild Thing won the 1997 race, just
two hours outside the record. Future Shock took line honours in the PHS Division in the first
race of the series today (29.12.00)

Xena pulled out of the Sydney to Hobart Race after she tore a mainsail. The lack of a mainsail
affected her rigging causing minor structural damage. With the potential for the minor damage to
become major damage, skipper Sean Langman decided to return to Sydney for repairs and
enter the Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race.

Entry documents and safety requirements were satisfied late yesterday. The Race Committee is
awaiting documentation from at least one other boat that has retired from the Sydney to Hobart
race

This is the first Coffs race for Langman.

'I am looking forward to the warmer weather and the competition,' he says.

For further information and results: www.rpayc.com.au

Info-line 1902 261 099

Or contact: Georgie Brown: 0408 519 792