Two Points Separate the Fleet in Rolex Trophy

It was an exciting day on the water for the Farr 40 fleet in the Rolex Trophy, with just two points now separating all three boats. Transfusion started the day with a clear lead over the rest of the fleet – however some close manoeuvres and good tactical decisions aboard Estate Master and Kokomo saw them close the gap in overall points, so any boat could win the regatta tomorrow.

Kokomo started the day in good form, striking a win in the light conditions. Tactician Adrian Stead commented “it was very lumpy with only 6 – 9 knots of breeze, but we made a good improvement on our performance from yesterday. The win put us in a good frame of mind and we just kept going from there”.

The second race of the day saw Transfusion take command of the fleet with a big lead. However a shift in the breeze meant that Estate Master and Kokomo slipped past, with Estate Master winning the race and clinching the overall regatta lead. Estate Master and Transfusion were now tied for first place overall at the conclusion of race five, with Kokomo hot on their heels.

“We were strongly in command in the second race today” said Transfusion’s Guido Belgiorno-Nettis. “We just gave it away in the last leg, we didn’t cover Estate Master and they got a big lift and won the race. It was tough racing – not just the fact that those guys are good, but the light conditions are very tough.”

Another win for Kokomo in the third race secured them the Boat of the Day title, and brought the fleet even closer on overall points. After six races, each boat has won two races each, meaning that there will be a lot of pressure on all crews tomorrow. Transfusion are just managing to hang on to first place overall “by the skin of our teeth” with 11 points, ahead of Estate Master on 12 points and Kokomo on 13 points. Three races are scheduled tomorrow to complete the nine race series.

Series results to date are available here.