The day started with plenty of bright sun, but with only about three knots of wind.  The Race Committee went out to hunt down the wind and AP was hoisted at 0930.  Luckily by 1045 there was enough sea breeze to invite the Class to come out into the bay to start Day 3 races.  The Race Committee planned to achieve four races, three windward – leewards and the fourth race around the cans. 

The Half Tonners had a clean start for Race 5, and their first leg it was an even 50/50 split to the first mark.  Surprisingly, 2 Farr did a hard left to port and it was Général Tapioca who were first to the spreader closely followed by Superhero.  By the second lap 2 Farr was first to the gate and won the race.    

Before the start of Race 6 the conditions changed to champagne sailing with 10 knots of wind, glorious sunshine and sparkling seas.  Checkmate XV and Hullabaloo XV were both OCS and returned to restart before joining the rest of the fleet. There was an even split across the fleet, 2 Farr took the advantage by tacking at the perfect moment giving them the lead to the first mark.  The fleet raced down to the gate on split gybes and again on the tack back to the spreader.  2 Farr took the lead early on, resulted in them winning the race overall.

The sea breezes started to drop just before the start of Race 7.  It was an intense start resulting in the fleet starting prematurely and being given a general recall, everyone got off cleanly on the second start. Harmony was first to round the mark, Général Tapioca was close behind coming up from a port to starboard tack and interfered with 2 Farr who were on a starboard tack, therefore, needed to take a penalty turn to exonerated themselves.  First to the change mark was Harmony and they were able to maintain their position to finish first with HeadHunter a close second. 

The last race of the day was around the cans taking the Half Tonners across the bay.  The wind dropped to 7 knots and shifted over 30 degrees.  This didn’t stop the fleet starting in tight formation enjoying good downward legs.  Harmony won Race 8.

Overall today’s racing has seen the Half Tonners race in close formation across the four races.  Looking at the results it is possible to see that there are only seconds between each Half Tonner.  Freelance stated about todays racing, “Good weather, good competition, tight racing, but every mistake you make loses you a place.  Good fun though and the Race Committee was excellent.”   

Racing continues tomorrow. To see the results of Race Day 3 click here.

Tania from 50 North Photography is the official Half Ton Classics Cup 2025 photographer and to view her images please click here.