Fresh air

Following a tumultuous a year of cancelled regattas and uncertainty for any social gathering, Windcraft’s recently held 2021 Sydney Owner’s Rally saw one of the finest sailing days in recent memory.

With the sunshine glistening across Pittwater and a perfect North Easterly breeze, the scene for a fun weekend brimming with social yachting, exquisite dining and spectacular scenery as 22 boats prepared to make their way to Akuna Bay in the Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park.

 A new format for the 2021 Sydney event saw the focus less on the competitive racing and more as a destination-based rally with a touch of competitiveness for the 22-boats involved. With the majority of boats sailing two-up with just owner couples aboard, the passage racing was surprisingly close.

Charles Smith’s slippery Hanse 415 Bling Bling taking line honours for Division 2 with Ken Plumb’s Hanse 342 coming close behind – a result that proves size isn’t everything. And that a justified head-start and clean air can actually make a difference.