International 23 victory

Lady K has become Lady Luck with a first race win in the Abell Point Yacht Club Warri Cup (Chris Taylor Memorial) on Sunday. No one is more surprised than us! 

First race, first win!

The annual event starts from Abell Point Marina, Airlie Beach to Langford Island 15 nautical miles out, and return. On a windy day it's a fast broad reach there and back, which is perfect for the multi-hulls - the race record stands at 1 hour 31 minutes. However, this year, for the first time in the race's 17 year history no boat even reached Langford Island.

Light conditions were forecast but they were so light they were non existent. It did favour the smaller boats like us though!

We were busy still getting the boat set up and just made the start at 1100 hours, hoisting the sails and cutting the engine as we crossed the line. The breeze was about 5 knots from either the east or north east - it was so light it was hard to tell. We flopped our way in Pioneer Bay, along with 20 odd other competitors until a rain squall came and gave us some fantastic sailing for about 10 minutes. Raincoats came in handy. The excitement was short lived as the rain blew the breeze away and we were left lolling about again with sunshine and blue skies. Given the conditions it was suggested that the race would turn into a stern chaser, meaning that when radioed by race officials all vessels turn around and 'chase' those now in front. 

Where's the breeze?

Rain squall ahead

As Lady K was the smallest and slowest multi-hull of the fleet, we suddenly found ourselves going from being in last position to first position. And as there was no breeze, we all moved along in the current at the same pace of about 2 knots back to Abell Point Marina. 

Relaxing on the trampoline

Heading straight for the finishing buoy off the rock wall at Abell Point Marina

The finishing buoy was in sight for two hours before a stroke of good luck gave us some exclusive breeze, which pushed us across the finish line for a first place in Division 1. Just as we collapsed the sails and rounded the finish mark, the breeze picked up to about 15 knots and all the other vessels came romping home.

Winners are grinners! 

Ironically, Gary sailed on the winning boat in 2006

Division 1 winners Warri Cup 2017