Drama for smallest yacht in Fremantle to Exmouth Ocean Race
by Bernie Kaaks 13 May 2021 13:42 BST
Fremantle to Exmouth Ocean Race day 5 © Bernie Kaaks
The Edge fights adverse tides and wind. Race Officials from Fremantle Sailing Club anxiously watched satellite trackers this afternoon when the smallest yacht in the fleet, Dave Kenny's The Edge, was caught in a southerly current and windless conditions near reefs off North West Cape.
The use of the boat's engine would have meant instant disqualification so the wily Kenny used all his skills to pilot the boat out of the danger zone to safety around two virtual marks farther north.
Indian, the Carkeek 47 skippered by Craig Carter smashed Syrenka's 30-year-old race in a very good time of just under three days, taking one and a half days off the old record.
Enterprise NG shadowed Indian for much of the early stages of the race, but fell back when the winds faded near Coral Bay.
The event proved a resounding success for the rally entries making up nearly half the total fleet. A few started early to ensure on-time arrival in Exmouth, some made landfall in Shark Bay and the vast majority reported having the sail of a lifetime in idyllic conditions.
Follow the race live on yb.tl/f2e2021.