News

  • News
  • 2005
  • Tasman Island rounding stormy entree for Diomedea

Tasman Island rounding stormy entree for Diomedea

Tasman Island rounding stormy entree for Diomedea

Great running conditions again last night helped drive Diomedea closer to the Hobart finish line this evening. In company with four other competitors, Diomedea endured light and variable winds during the early part of the morning followed by a rough hour's passsage around the classic landmark around lunch time today.

Great running conditions again last night helped drive Diomedea closer to the Hobart finish line this evening. In company with four other competitors, Diomedea endured light and variable winds during the early part of the morning followed by a rough hour's passsage around the classic landmark around lunch time today. 

As expected, the Tasman Island rounding was enthusiastically photographed by a number of crew members and the experience enhanced by the presence of noted photograper Richard Bennett in his light aircraft.  One of the rounding highlights was the number of yachts simultaneously making their way around the landmark, which will certainly produce some spectacular photographs.  Upon rounding Cape Raoul, the mini fleet endured frustrating calms before running under spinnaker across Storm Bay towards the Iron Pot.

Major repair work on the assymmetric spinnaker was carried out by Jen and Phil for three hours during the early part of the Tasman Island rounding and I am pleased to report  these repairs have just been successfully put to the test on the run home to the finish line.  Storm Bay also gave the crew the opportunity to set Diomedea's runner for the first time this race. However at the first gybe, in increasing winds, the spinnaker did not withstand the pressure.  This sail will now make its way to the professionals for some tender loving repairs !!

As we make our way in brilliant sunshine past the Iron Pot and up the Derwent, we are all looking foward to the traditional Hobart hospitality.

Jennifer Rezek
Navigator - Diomedea