Pressure builds for Two Capes Race as fleet gears up for Offshore Challenge
by Colleen Darcey 22 Nov 00:26 UTC
Midnight Rambler - Two Capes Race © Colleen Darcey
Excitement is mounting for this year's Two Capes Race, with a cracker weather forecast and a competitive lineup of 16 Tasmanian yachts ready to tackle the 82-nautical-mile offshore course. After leaving the River Derwent the fleet will navigate into Storm Bay to virtual marks at Fluted Cape and Cape Raoul in what promises to be a hotly contested race.
The racing kicks off at 9am, with favourable conditions setting the stage for a competitive showdown. A fresh face in the fleet, the Costin 30, 'She Doesn't Know', owned by Jonny Cooper and Ollie Nicholas, is generating buzz. Recently purchased, the lightweight yacht is built for speed, especially offshore. Co-skipper Nicholas is optimistic about their first offshore outing but knows conditions outside the River Derwent could create a lottery for this downwind flyer.
Among the top contenders is 'Midnight Rambler', skippered by Ed Psaltis, which is eyeing another strong result in the Combined Clubs Offshore Series. The Two Capes Race is the third race of the four-race series, adding extra weight to the day's results.
Also in the spotlight is the Knoop 39, 'Magellan', skippered by father-and-daughter team Richard and Megan Grant. Using the Two Capes Race as a vital shakedown, the duo is fine-tuning their double-handed setup ahead of their campaign for the 2025 Melbourne to Osaka Cup.
Water length may give Gary Smith's 'Fork in the Road' the edge for line honours, but it's shaping up to be a tactical race, with Anthony Williams' X-Yacht 'Scaramouche' and Drew Meincke's Farr 40 'No Pressure' expected to keep pace with Smith if the forecasted light winds hit the fleet on the return to Hobart.
In the 30-35-foot group, competition is expected to be intense as Prion (Donovan Oak) and The Dog House (Peter Coad) continue their close rivalry, battling for bragging rights on who crosses the line first. Joining the action is Vice Commodore Steve Chau's yacht, IYKYK, with Scott Brain at the helm, determined to keep the boat ahead of the 30-footer pack. Adding intrigue to this group, seasoned offshore skipper Stewart Geeves aboard his Young 88 'Footloose' is often considered the dark horse. Despite being the smallest boat in the fleet, Geeves' racing style has a knack for keeping competitors at the back of the fleet on edge.
With tight competition, light winds, and critical decisions ahead, the Two Capes Race promises a nail-biting contest from start to finish.