Tollgate Ready

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Wed 11 Oct 2023 06:00

Moored Rushcutters Bay, Port Jackson
Wind: N, F3
Sea: slight Swell: nil
Weather: mostly sunny, warm

This morning we received news from the CYCA that our request for an exemption for the requirement to complete a qualifying passage for the Tollgate Island Race has been approved. Hooray!

All other paperwork has been completed and this afternoon I picked up the tracking beacon from the sailing office. So, if all goes well, Sylph and her crew (Chris, Oli, and me) will be crossing the start line at 1800 on Friday and heading south for Tollgate Island just off Batemans Bay, a distance of 130nm, and a total race distance of 260nm.

The forecast is for light winds Friday through Sunday with a fresh S'ly change coming through Monday morning. Such conditions will not suit Sylph but I am reasonably confident that we will have enough breeze to complete the race (fingers crossed). Sylph of course will not be able to compete with the other boats in the race, nearly all modern light-weight go-fast boats, especially in the light winds, but it will be fun to be out there and will be excellent preparation for the main event on Boxing Day: the 'Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race'.

I will endeavour to make daily posts during the race.

All is well.