By BVI Royal Yacht Club
The Black Pig, 2nd overall in the 2016 Lowell Wheatley Anegada Pursuit Race.
Photo: RBVIYC /Clair Burke
Seven boats raced to Anegada on Saturday 25 June to contest the 2016 Lowell Wheatley Anegada Pursuit Race with Pipe Dream ultimately taking the win.
Starting from Road Harbour it was a beat east up the Sir Francis Drake Channel before making the turn past Beef Island, Scrub Island and the Dogs to shoot the final 13 miles to Anegada. Just 23 minutes separated the start times for the fleet so a good start was a must before deciding on the tactics up the channel.
First away was The Black Pig, a Tartan 10, skippered by Gilbo Simpson. Hot on their heels were Sheryl and Erik Groeneberg with Stella di Mare, Kevin Wrigley’s Boomerang, Chris Haycraft’s Pipe Dream with the larger cruising boats bringing up the rear with seconds between them.
The Black Pig and Pipe Dream soon stretched their legs and extended away from the fleet whilst a close battle ensued between Adagio, MJ and The Remedy.
Line honours ultimately went to Chris Haycraft’s Pipe Dream with son, Nathan on the helm and crewed by Giles Wood, Matt Hood, Clair Burke, Nici Haycraft, Ryan Lettsome and Scott Kirk. Second across the line was The Black Pig, with the all female team on MJ chasing hard to take third.
Three generations of the Hirst family sailing their Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 51 Adagio finished in fourth place just ahead of The Remedy, a Jeanneau 45.3, skippered by Tom Parish.
With most boats racing short-handed it was a tough day on the water but spirits were high as the fleet enjoyed the hospitality of the Anegada Reef Hotel.
Race sponsors inlcuded the Anegada Reef Hotel, Tico and Nanny Cay, Dick Schoonover.
Results
1. Pipe Dream – Chris Haycraft
2. The Black Pig – Gilbo Simpson
3. MJ – Mandi Atack & Tamsin Rand
4. Adagio – Bill Hirst
5. The Remedy – Tom Parish
6. Stella di Mare – Erik & Sheryl Groeneberg
7. Boomerang – Kevin Wrigley
