So to the 2002 Retractaline Da Gama Ocean Race, and what a race it was!
Prior to the race the biggest area of doubt amongst those set to take part in the race was the state of the facilities in Maputo and it was probably in this area that the race was most successful. The facilities and shore side organisation in Maputo was absolutely fantastic from the hospitality of the Maputo hosts at Club Naval to the fantastic service provided by the minivan drivers who ferried sailors to and from the small craft harbour at all hours of day and night. The opening function at Club Naval the night before the race was outstanding with loads of prawns, clams, grilled chicken and most importantly free beer for all the sailors. While many slipped off to bed early before the big race some did party the night away and there were a few sore heads around the place on Saturday morning.
The race started bright and early at 09:00 on Saturday morning to take advantage oft eh outgoing tide. At least three knots of current saw the fleet pushed fast towards the start line with all but one, Robbie Dove's Ocean Sailing Academy, managing to stay behind the line at the start. The fleet then set out on an upwind leg out of Maputo Bay. Conditions for this leg were ideal with a light six to eight knot breeze and perfectly flat water. Once out into the ocean spinnakers were set and the yachts aimed for home.
The north easter had by this time piped up to around ten or twelve knots and the big decision facing the fleet was whether to head offshore for current or inshore for land breeze at night. Those who went offshore found some strong counter current, those who went inshore found the land breeze. Certainly inshore looks to have been the place to be. Offshore the breeze hung in all night and built quickly the following morning with those offshore enjoying a fresh to frightening northerly wind blowing constantly in the upper thirties and occasionally harder.
A tough spinnaker leg inshore with the angles getting just a little too tight saw several of the bigger boats at the front of the fleet blowing spinnakers while they blasted towards home at record breaking pace. Orion Express led all the way from the start at one stage enjoying a fifty mile lead over the chasing pack of Prodigy, Obsession, De Ja Vu and Investec. By the finish though the lead had dwindled to forty miles as the chasing packs experienced stronger tail winds than Orion which eventually finished at around 17:30 on Sunday afternoon.
The breeze off Durban was light the chasing bunch battled to close in on the finish line. A titanic battle ensued between Obsession, Prodigy, De Ja Vu and Investec who eventually finished in that order within an hour or so of one another. several other finished throughout the night including the eventual handicap winner, Robbie Dove's Ocean Sailing Academy. The win gives them the title for the second year in a row. They managed to hold off Orion Express by some thirty five minutes on corrected time.
By Monday morning many of the yachts were safely in Durban's Marina however those still at sea now had to contend with a westerly headwind and a long beat into Durban. As of this morning, Tuesday, only two boats were still at sea, Abacus Extreme Marathons and Barbarian, both of which should be in port by the middle of this afternoon.
Back in Durban and the RNYC's handling of their side of the race was as good as that experienced at the Maputo end. RNYC manager Steve Coxon had a long night on North pier recording the finishing times of the yachts as they crossed the line while back at the club the crews were pleased to find hot showers, cold beer and a great breakfast at all hours of the night in true Vasco fashion.
This prize giving took place in a Marquee on the lawns at RNYC with 5fm's Darren Scott as the compare was a ripping affair with great food, loads of Captain Morgan and an all round huge party for all the crews. Certainly there were several sorry heads around the place the next morning.
After a great downwind race in largely warm conditions this years Retractaline Da Gama Race can be considered to have been another outstanding success. With a hugely expanded entry on last years nine boat I am sure that next year will see the fleet growing even further. I am looking forward to a good party tonight and will report back to you on Friday as to just how good it was.
In the meantime the provisional top five places on handicap and line honours in the 2002 Retractaline Da Gama Race were as follows:
