Race 4 of the Seldén for Sailing Lion Island Series delivered another challenging day on the water. Sailors were greeted on the water with a sizable rainbow stretching across the small pond. But despite the picturesque start, the fleet was once again put to the test with grey skies and variable winds, topping out at 14 knots, with patches of rain and a lot of swell to keep things interesting.
Tactical decision-making played a key role throughout the race as boats rounded one of Pittwater’s most iconic offshore marks. With a flash of neon pink spinnaker on the horizon, Condoor rounded the island first with great speed, followed by Seeking Alpha, the bow throwing white spray as they hit each wave. Close behind was Revolver, their bow crashing through the sizable swell, throwing white spray as she hit each wave.
With strong winds and high offshore waves around the island, all crews worked hard to battle the wind and rain and maintain course, making for a truly exhilarating final race.
PHS Results – Race 4
Division 1 PHS
- 1st – Seeking Alpha – David Hamilton
- 2nd – Wot’s Next – Shaun James
- 3rd – Quantock – David & Alison Hobbs
Division 2 PHS
- 1st – Sparrow – Peter Higgins
- 2nd – Rock n’ Roll – Kim Williams
- 3rd – Problem Child – Greg Jacobs
Division 3 PHS
- 1st – Audacious – Jim Goddard
- 2nd – Pick Pocket – Chris Hornsby
- 3rd – Sound Wave – Martin Thearle
Division 4 PHS
- 1st – VeXatious – Jervis Tilly
- 2nd – Ultimate Tune – John Smidmore
- 3rd – Vamos – Robert Bates
Division 1 ORC
- 1st –Seeking Alpha – David Hamilton
- 2nd –Quantock – David & Alison Hobbs
- 3rd – 6024 Windy Too – Carl Russett
Division 2 ORC
- 1st – Rock n’ Roll – Kim Williams
- 2nd – Sparrow – Peter Higgins
- 3rd – Georgia Lee – Craig Suggitt
Division 3 ORC
- 1st – Pick Pocket – Chris Hornsby
- 2nd – Kama III – David Cunningham
- 3rd – Kindred Spirit – Angus Gordon
Division 4 ORC
- 1st – 2107 Racing – Dave Taylor
- 2nd – Ultimate Tune – John Smidmore
- 3rd – Pacesetter – Andrew MacPhail
Series Sponsor
The Lion Island Series is proudly supported by Selden for Sailing. Selden is a world-leading manufacturer of mast, boom, and rigging systems, renowned for quality and innovation in the sport of sailing. The club extends its sincere thanks to Jan Scholten and the Selden for Sailing team for their continued generous support of Pittwater racing.
About the Lion Island Series
The Lion Island Series is one of the highlights of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s annual racing calendar. Held every Saturday throughout May, the five-race offshore series takes competitors from Pittwater out through West Head, around Lion Island in Broken Bay, and back, a course that showcases some of the most beautiful and challenging sailing waters on the NSW coast.
With up to 70+ yachts competing each week across racing, cruising, and two-handed categories, the series attracts both seasoned offshore campaigners and those new to offshore passage racing. The event is proudly sponsored by Selden for Sailing, with great weekly prizes and offers courtesy of Jan Scholten.
The prestigious Isea Trophy is awarded to the winning ORC yachts and the Basin Trophy on PHS across all divisions at the conclusion of the series.
