Great Xpectations were fulfilled
For the 21st Race Week, X-Yachts were well represented by two X-43s sailing in the IRC Cruising Division. “Great Xpectations”, a beautiful, blue-hulled X-43 owned by Rod and Kathy Wills, was launched in November 2003. Rod and his crew achieved some great results just after her launch, with a 5th overall on IRC in the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race, and 3rd in IRC class A for the Pittwater to Coffs Series. Damien Goff and Ian Goldsworthy from North South Yachting joined Rod’s crew to help get the best from the boat.
White Satin in her first regatta
Bill and Nevine Neill entered “White Satin” in Race Week as their first taste of regatta racing. Having spent most of their time cruising, the Neills saw the X-43 as a beautiful yacht that could be cruised or raced. “White Satin” was launched in late January 04 and went on to win the CYCA Autumn Pointscore on IRC and PHS in her first outing. Ben Piggott and Andrew Parkes represented North South Yachting on “White Satin”, with a crew made up of old sailing friends. Both crews helped each other wherever they could, exchanging ideas on trim, sail selection and tuning. |  | Absorbing race
In what turned out to be a great week of racing, a series long tussle between “White Satin” and a Beneteau 44.7 called “Afternoon”, which led to an absorbing final race for overall victory. “Afternoon” held a narrow point lead going into the last race. To win the series, “White Satin” needed to win that race. The Beneteau was over at the start and had to go back, this forced them to go for a ‘flyer’ way over to one side of the course. At one stage, it was very difficult to even see “Afternoon”, but when the boats converged 40 minuteslater, she was three boat lengths behind the X-43. A fierce tacking duel ensued as the yachts battled to stay out of the strong current. On the spinnaker run home, both yachts engaged in a tactical battle with protest flags flying and them splitting at a small island. After they split, the X-43 looked to be making bearing as they sailed in more breeze, when the breeze filled across the course “Afternoon” managed to extend and win the race and series.
Andrew Parkes
North South Yachting
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