Second: Eric Bonneti, Chris White, Jesse Repp

Third: Michael Clements, Adrienne Mennell, Erica Crilly, Nick Watts

Report by winner Anthony Collett:

Race: June 14, 2025

Race Report: #171 Sailiant (Anthony Collett, Andrew Naiberg, HueiJen Pan, Mark Elliott)

After a decent mid-line start with clear air we followed those boat/pin-end starters who had shot ahead, such as M&M (149), Too Wicked (304) and others, but slowly made up ground along the south shore of Bowen (but not too close to shore), losing a little when we ran square into a large log while setting our spinnaker (fortunately no damage!!). With spinnaker flying we cut the corner at Roger Curtis very close thanks to a hard luff by a larger boat, then sailed as close to shore as possible while staying in the very gusty winds coming off Bowen. We worked hard, trimming constantly, to catch whatever breeze we could heading up against the current to Hutt Island and stayed fairly close to shore with Too Wicked a little ahead. Decision time at the Hutt Gap was tricky but given the glassy conditions in the gap we elected to go just west of Hutt. Interestingly, the sun came out and about 20 or 30 minutes later the southerly inflow breeze to Howe Sound kicked in; I assume there is a relationship there. We got our lucky break with a puff down the west side of Hutt and then we were away in the new, strong breeze coming down the valley on Bowen just north of Hutt Isl. Eric Bonetti, Chris White and team on Hot Flash (201) had chosen to sail the Hutt Gap and did it ever pay off! They were a good km ahead and sailing fast. Chasing them, now in second place of the 242's, we again stayed as close to shore as possible while staying in the breeze up to Cape Finisterre.

Rounding the point we had Michael Cements, Adrienne Mennell and team on Too Wicked maybe ten boat lengths astern. With Hot Flash well ahead and heading offshore, we had only one task, to cover Too Wicked up the shoreline towards the finish. It was quite the duel (for us anyways!) and we were at first losing ground. We realized that if we didn’t figure out how to roll tack effectively, we were going to get rolled. Amazingly, we pulled it together and just managed to stay ahead, despite Michael Clement's attempts to force us to tack into the bad air of Hot Flash, who had come back to shore to cover us and avoid the flood current. The three of us compressed, with many tacks, and in the end we just squeaked past Hot Flash at the finish line. Thanks Michael, Eric and all for a great race and learning experience!

Our lessons learned, which may or may not work next time (yes, there is a large dose of luck in this race!):

· sail the shortest distance while staying in the breeze, if possible while accounting for a favourable or fighting current

· when becalmed, trust those barely detectable senses of breeze on the cheek and set the sails for that breeze

· exercise caution chasing wind; some boats appeared to sail out of their way because they thought/expected there was more wind or more consistent wind over there, only to find it was gone when they got there

· as Michael has instructed, stay between your competition and the next turning point (or finish)!

· have fun, hope for luck

· be sure to take your crew into Snug Cove for the after-racing party regardless of your results!

Report by Peter Grimm on M&M:

Saturday’s Round Bowen Race in the M242…122 boats started the race, we got out to a giant lead through some careful planning and well executed first 1/2 of the race.  Mother Nature had other plans with a big wind change and parked us in a huge hole by Hutt Island.  Then the second race was ON to try and catch up.  We passed a lot of boats on the way to the finish line from the North tip of the island up towards snug cove.  Validation for me that we didn’t really suck that bad…38th this year 🤪. That’s sailboat racing!  Sometimes the lucky ones get a break!

Complete Results can be found Here