Light winds reduce Fiji race to crawl

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 23

Light winds reduce Fiji race to crawl

PA Auckland The yachts racing from Auckland to Fiji spent most of yesterday wallowing. A northerly of about four knots was only just enough to keep the two fleets moving—one racing to Suva,, the other to Lautoka. Seas were easy, and Fireball II (Mike Baylis), one of the better-placed yachts in the Suva event, made justi three miles to the north in the eight hours between the morning and evening report, while going nine miles further to the east. Anticipation (Don St C. Brown) still leads the race, drawing out her lead on

Angstrom (Trevor Fell) during the day from 15 to 31 miles, and Earnest Beaver (lan Hendren) is third, about 57 miles behind the leader. Although they are little more than half way to Fiji, the yachts have already been at sea longer than Ta’aroa needed to take line honours in 1973, in just 5 days, 12 hours and 52 minutes. Officials at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club are optimistically predicting that ithe first yachts could be across the finish line late on Sunday, provided there is a bit more wind. In the Lautoka race, contestants managed to make better headway y'esterday,

Quando (Jim Edmonds) drawing away to a 34-mile lead over Ponsonby Express (Noel Angus) after making 49 miles in the eight hours. Golden Eagle. (Peter Penlington) is just six miles behind Ponsonby Express, but then there is a big gap back to Snow White. Despite the calm seas, crews did not have much chance to do any sunbathing as it was mainly overcast, with only a few fine patches. Nearlv 260 miles cover the fleet in the two races, from anticipation to Huia (John Moselen) in the Lautoka fleet.