GOLD COAST AUSTRALIA 060600ZDEC11 SKED AND SKIPPERS BLOG

LAT 34 58.1S
LONG 174 01.8E
DTF 1146
ETA Gold Coast Australia 1200 13 Dec 11

SKIPPERS BLOG

Yesterday Gold Coast Australia sailed offshore to avoided the light winds that were forecasted along the coastline and pick up from the gradient winds further our to sea. Unfortunately the gradient winds out to sea were not as predicted and Gold Coast spent many frustrating hours yesterday without wind.

Just before mid night yesterday the winds began to fill in from the North East as forecasted for earlier in the day. Along with the wind came a few hours of torrential rain. Whilst the rain was uncomfortable, nobody complained as we were moving again, back up to a speed of seven knots, sailing away from the light air zone and towards North Cape New Zealand.

Gold Coast made good ground to the north and remained on starboard tack as the wind continued to back to the North. As we sailed back towards New Zealand we passed close to a number of other yachts in the fleet all within 10nm proving how close the racing is at the moment and how similar these boats are in speed.

Gold Coast tacked back onto port to clear Poor Knights Islands only 6nm astern of the fleet leaders Finland at midday and then tacked back to Starboard to head further inshore towards Cape Brett and the Bay of Islands.

By remaining on Starboard Tack while the other yachts headed north on Port Tack we took a bit of a knock, hoping it would be a good investment as now the wind has settled and become more consistent over the whole course there are we see a number of tactical benefits from being closer to the coast including lifts from the land, flatter seas and tidal assistance. One benefit of staying close to the coast is the beautiful scenery. Especially as we passed Cape Brett at the southern end of the Bay of Islands where we saw a number of other yachts exploring such delights as the hole in the wall as well as some local wild life.

It was very pleasing to find at the midday sked that in 24 hours we had climbed the score board from 9th to equal first place and the mood onboard has been very jovial indeed. Not only in Gold Coast sailing well, but the sun is out, the winds are perfect. During the afternoon however we were reunited with the other boats after having lost sight of them in the morning. Derry and Finland passed under 10nm ahead and we dipped the stern of Yorkshire by less than 50m as we sailed north to clear Cavali Islands and are currently match racing them up the coast.

Gold Coast Australia will work hard throught the night to advance through the positions again as we aim to round North Cape in first place and gain the full benefit of the SW winds in the Tasman Sea.