Twenty-five boats slipped out through Sydney Heads this evening as Race 3 of the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore got underway, the fleet turning south for the Tollgate Islands in a building easterly.
The start, off Point Piper at 1700 hours, was a lively affair. A 10-12 knot easterly had filled in across the harbour, sharp enough to make the line interesting.
Two boats paid the price for pushing too hard. Current pointscore leader Disko Trooper, racing double-handed, was caught out at the start along with Wot's Next.
Moneypenny Sailing, the R/P69, made the cleanest getaway of the fleet, first through the Heads at 1715 hours and leading the way into open water.
Not far behind came the TP52 Smuggler Racing Team, with Caol Ila from Middle Harbour Yacht Club in company. Among the smaller boats, the J/99 Verite led the double-handed contingent out through the Heads.
By half past five, the whole fleet had cleared the Heads and turned south, bound for Batemans Bay and the Tollgate Islands beyond.
