Australian J's Winning in Sydney

(Sydney, Australia)- A report from Keith Wilson sailing his J/109 MAJIKAL.  "MAJIKAL continues to be in first three in our summer series of off-shore racing.  We race in a mixed fleet that includes boats from 32 feet up to around 40 to 45 feet.    Racing today from Cronulla to Botany Bay, via a wave rider buoy, some 3 miles off-shore.  Wind looks to be 15-20, with a  few spinnaker runs, so hoping for a good result. In the race last week, we ran into a nasty storm.  Wind started at 10-15 and we were leading the fleet out of Botany Bay towards Wedding Cake Island.  We rounded the island second behind a 45 footer, and started back south toward wave rider when the southerly came in.  As we had seen it coming, we had dropped the #3, double reefed the main and donned our wet gear.  Before long it was 35, gusting 45 knots.  Unfortunately, before we got home, it was 45 gusting 55!  The J-109 went well, but obviously did get quite wet, sometimes having 12" of green water over the bow due to the short sea (waves only up to 8 or 9 feet, but very sharp).   Even the hatches, securely dogged down, too water.  Sadly the main blew out and we were forced to retire and head home.  Fleet casualties included 5 mains blown, 4 jibs shredded, lots of bruises and bumps, with one bloke to hospital for concussion.  Quite a ride.

Our Wednesday twilight races showed the first 3 places to be J's.  MAJIKAL (J/109) first, THE CROW (J/24) second and J-FORCE (J/35) third.  The finish was exciting as there was less than a boat's length between us: fourth boat was about 50 metres behind. This was again from a very eclectic fleet, ranging up to 45 feet.  Wind was extremely light, only reaching 6 knots at best.   For these twilights, we have a handicap start, where the race starts at 6:00 pm - we get to start at 6:24, second last boat off the mark, with only a 45 footer 2 minutes after us.