Moored Rushcutters Bay, Port Jackson
Wind: NE, F3 - gentle breeze
Sea: slight Swell: nil
Weather: cloudy, warm

I am pleased to report that the Tollgate Island race went very well. Sumatra sailed well in trying conditions with strong headwinds at the start and finish of the race. Our elapsed time was two days, one hour, thirty minutes and fifty seconds, finishing 11th over the line and eighth on IRC handicap out of a fleet of 22 starters, which I think was very respectable given that Sumatra’s racing programme is relatively immature. We had a couple of significant breakages, namely the boom vang and the head foil, but Peter, one of the co-owners who has to pay the bills, as part of the crew remained in high spirits through the entire race. Sumatra was a pleasure to sail; fast, sea-kindly and relatively comfortable (no small boat can be entirely comfortable going to windward in a strong breeze). And the highlight of the race was the crew who were all enthusiastic and supportive of each other, working well as a team despite significant varying levels in experience and the inevitable bouts of seasickness (and, most importantly, they were all complimentary of my performance in the role of navigator).

Now I am back on board Sylph, waiting for a suitable weather window to continue our return voyage to Adelaide. At this stage the forecast indicates that the weekend might provide a suitable weather pattern, otherwise we won’t be getting under way again until later next week.

All is well.