A light breeze start on Saturday morning scattered the fleet across Taupo Bay.  Piccolo, The Bill, Samurai, Kotuku, Cippolla and Wednesday Night Fever, played the lottery game. So great  was the pressure, that Piccolo passed Samurai, - a cup of coffee that is.

But, the ol’ souwester eventually kicked in at 15 knots to give us all a magic sail.  Not too bad on time either, most doing the trip in just over 4 hours. That breeze built during the afternoon to 25+ knots, so that later starters Spring Fever, Idle Torque and Kiwi  had a wet trip.

By evening we had 35 knot gusts at the Motuoapa wharf, but all snug of course.  Courtesy of the Motuoapa club, we retired to the warm clubhouse to prepare our evening meal and to partake of spirituous liquors, to ward off scurvy and the unseasonal chill.

The wind rattled ‘n shook all night but, typically, was all gone by 0600. A cup of coffee and compulsory bacon and eggs later, the fleet was all set for the serious stuff - Long Race 1 back to Taupo.

Piccolo led the fleet away and settled in to an unassailable lead (see photographic evidence).  But like many an unassailable lead, the fickle hand of fate had other plans.  Before the island, it turned pear shaped with 5 knot breezes from the NSWE.  But Idle Torque had it sassed, Brent and Shane outsailed us all to take a commanding lead over div. 2.

Eventually the southerly built to 15-18 knots to provide tight kite conditions and a front bunch vying for second place. The Bill put on a great display of how to do rounding up, whilst nobody was watching of course. Piccolo tried in vain to pass Wednesday Night Fever, and avoid the ignominy of youth triumphing over age.  However, that master sailor Graeme Robinson, on his own, took Samurai across the finish before us.

Next weekend to Motuoapa and race back is set for February 14/15.  A great mix of cruising and competition in store. Diary it now.