Although there were not many boats competing in this year's ocean pointscore, the Gillawa Shield, the competition between Pla Loma (Rob Reynolds) and MRZ (Phillip Rowe) for first place was tough.

The last race to Newcastle was the decider and there was much banter (and red herrings) between tacticians and skippers of both boats the day before the race. The race to Newcastle was eventually started just near Long Reef due to the lack of wind earlier on in the day and then the forecasted NE really kicked in reaching just over 20kts. MRZ was coving Pla Loma tack for tack the whole way - not wanting to let the faster bigger boat out of its sight. However Pla Loma was able to handle the choppier heavier winds a little better and unfortunately MRZ (or Pascha as we have now nicknamed her) ran aground in Newcastle Harbour.

So this year the winner of the Gillawa Shield is our former Commodore Rob Reynolds on Pla Loma, 2nd MRZ and 3rd, a new boat to ocean racing at this club Mortgage Choice Rumba (Robert Carr, Kerry Burke, Stephanie Cook).

Next year we would like to see more boats compete for the prestigious Gillawa Shield. MHYC has a deep history in ocean racing and many famous Australian boats have won this trophy. There are only 5 races in the series, including the Southport, Flinders, Cabbage Tree, Bird Island and Newcastle. It is a great way to prepare your boat for long ocean races and provides variety to your yachting program without being too onerous on time.

From CYCA Website: This DK43 likes a downhill slide and will be looking to stay with the 50 footers heading north.  Pla Loma IV retired from the 2005 Rolex Sydney Hobart with steering problems but reached the finish line in Hobart in 2006. 

In March 2007 Pla Loma IV contested the Audi Sydney Southport Yacht Race, the closing race of the 2006/7 offshore season, finishing fifth in division.

Crew: Robert Lee, Jaime Dibble, Julie Hodder, Robert Corran, Ann Dooley, Michael Whyte, Anthony Williams, Michelle Warner, Roger Corrie

This was the year Rob could not go with us because of business. From memory there was a big storm near the border of NSW and Queensland. 

We came 38th overall and 14th in division, but a lot of boats retired and we made it.

A great weekend

Rob Reynolds, a former Commodore of Middle Harbour Yacht Club, had considerable success with his previous boat, Tara,  but it was unfortunately lost on the return delivery trip after the 2004 Gold Coast Race. He bought this boat and in its only Sydney Hobart to date was forced to retire with a broken quadrant. However, she has raced well, without major success,  in most East Coast races since 2005.

Crew: Julie Hodder (10) Navigator, Scott Denton (2), Dave Sherwood (8), Rob Lee (4), Rob Corran (3), Justin Cook (2), Roger Corrie (5), M Whyte, Anthony Williams

Calm and Carnage

Last night, in the middle of Bass Straight we were caught in a light NE, NW, W, SW wind. Very frustrating and of course those new people to the race cannot believe how calm Bass Straight is. But shouldn't talk too soon as today we expect much harsher conditions.

Being one of the smallest boats in the first start line was a bit hairy. We decided to start a little late but be right on the boat end and keep to the Eastern shore, hoping the larger boats would take off and leave us some air. But Ichi Baan had the same idea and tried (well did) squeeze on top of us. Their tactician yelled, "you are head to wind". We replied that maybe our sails were flapping as their gigantic boat had just gone over the top of us - well words to that effect. Still, it is always exciting going up Sydney Harbour.

The run down the coast was exhilarating, and a little scary at times. Attached is a picture of what was once our chicken shoot. It all happened just as we met up with the only boat we have seen for a day - AFR midnight rambler. Very embarrassing - not the sort of thing you like other people to see you do during a gybe. But alas 10 minutes later, AFR had their own problems gybing, wrapping their kite around the forestay. Their problem seemed a lot worse than ours.

Lovely evening last night. They guys kept putting on their thermals to go on watch and then 10 minutes later peeling because they were so hot. We are now having our diner in the middle of the day, during daylight hours (can't think why we didn't always do that). So the guys are now sipping their "brown sugar" coffees, admiring the sunset and trying to get the boat moving more that 4 knots in 4 knots of wind - very tricky.

Picture is Roger Corrie, one of our watch captains. He was thinking about trying to mend the kite.

Julie Hodder (Pla Loma)

Pla Loma

I am not sure who took these photos, but could have been from the girl that Rob paid for on the helicopter. Also have High Res photos.

No idea who took these photos, but must have been funny. Sure that was a bottle of Moet!