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White Clouds Leads Off the Start

Rob Howard / 19.06.2010

As 15.00 approached the ferries were busy taking teams out to their yachts, with GFT Adventure being one of the most relaxed and not getting back aboard until 15 minutes before the lifeboat lead the procession out of the harbour. White Clouds were not quite so relaxed as they had a mooring line snagged, but managed to free it in good time to leave the harbour with some help from the harbour master and joined the line setting out to the start.

This passed the breakwater which was lined with hundreds of spectators seeing the boats off and being entertained by the local Samba Drumming ban, whose rhythmic beat reverberated around the harbour. Moby J was last to leave the harbour, but with no rush as there was ample time before the start.

As the yachts prepared their starting tactics the start boat fired 5 and 10 minute warning flares, and spot on 16.00 Race Director Meic Ellis sounded the start and the fleet crossed the line without too much congestion or any penalties for an early start. Quickest away were Team Whistler and White Clouds, with White Clouds taking the lead. These two quickly opened up their lead as the wind was filling in strongly from the north and they were the first to reach it, with the rest of the fleet following. Prairie Oyster and the little 25 foot Hunter Delta from the Vagabond Mountaineer Club were bringing up the rear.

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