Magellan Three Peaks Yacht Race
A Brisk Start
Rob / 26.06.2004
By this time it has stopped raining and the wind had eased a little, down to a force 5 S. Easterly, but crossing over the sandbar outside the harbour there was still a heavy swell. All the entries were out by the offshore start line with 20 minutes to spare and began to run down the line between the two orange marker buoys marking the line, and to position for the 15.00 start. A small flotilla of spectator boats were out to watch, as were the offshore and inshore lifeboats. The small inshore boat was having great fun in the surf and ‘buzzing’ the other boats, shooting past at speed within a metre or two.
Most gathered at the far, Eastern end of the start line, and it was from here that Hellefix lead across the line, closely by Spirit of Barmouth. However, Spirit of Barmouth ran into difficulties (from a distance it looked like a headsail problem) and by the time it was sorted out they were well behind the leaders. Only Amicus and Freedom chose to start on the Western end of the line, but as they headed towards Bardsey Head the sun came out. In these conditions it should be a fast sail to Caernarfon, where the leaders are expected before midnight.
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