Page 5 - Panamuna Details Oct 5 2020

By JIM HUGE SEAS
SHARPIES

Cross currents and fiale force winds whipped up huge wares which forced nine Sutural iste
entries to retire. Two were badly damaged and two men were swept overboard. Phenomenal

“Panamuna" won line tumors, the handicap section and smashed the course record, covering HO
sea miles in 7*/» hours on the return run.

r pHE start of the seventh Cape * side of the harbor. "Ranee" was next in breeze the big A class yachts now had
Naturaliste Ocean Race conducted by the front of “Rakoa.” to beat out to sea via the dangerous
Royal Perth Y.C. had all the appearance of "Haze” led the second group with her South Passage. While going through
the sailing you dream about, but the early deep blue masthead spinnaker pulling well "Panamuna" just managed to get the
easy conditions were misleading. Later and she was soon clear of "Loongana." better of "Eun-Na-Mara." but the
they deteriorated and the weather was the “Thora Helen” and "Nyalla.” latter was able to pick up the lee-way
worst experienced to date. Its severity The leader of the third group was south of Rockingham.
could be gauged when one considers that "Thea," who had an advantage from Approaching Murray reefs the
nine yachts were forced to retire and two "Hydroconic,” "Flight." "Colleen Marie” breeze was westerly, but at the reefs
yachtsmen were thrown overboard. and “Maid Marion." it became a nor-easter.
During the progress of the race some of "Eun-Na-Mara" was the leader of the With the breeze swinging all
the officials expressed the opinion that, last group, but "Panamuna” quickly made around the compass, it meant a lot of
had they known beforehand of the stormy up the lee-way when her big red top sail adjusting and it was just pure
weather, the race would not have been spinnaker took over. She was followed by guesswork trying to decide the
held. This line of thought, however, was "Flame" with "Gelasma" last. nearest way to Cape Naturaliste.
not supported by one of the leading As the yachts sighted Rockingham As the light faded the electrical
competitors who said the rough con- sails had to be trimmed to meet the new storm, which had been playing
ditions experienced were caused by breeze coming in from the sou-west. around for some time, intensified
nothing more than a typical hard WA At Rockingham corrected time placed with the darkness and the lightning
breeze and it was just a matter of the yachts In the following order: was now flashing all over the sky. It
shortening sail in order to cope with it. "Haze.” "Flight.” "Thea.” was accompanied by thunder and in
A fresh nor-easterly breeze came down "Lyelta.” "Colleen Marie." “Rakoa," the midst of it the leaders found
Fremantle Harbor as the first group was "Hydroconic." "Maid Marion." "Loon- themselves almost becalmed off Man-
flagged away. "Lyelta" being first to show gana," “Flame." "Panamuna,” "Eun- clurah. This suited the rest of the
out as she got a beautiful start from the Na-Mara." “Thora Helen." "Ranee." fleet, a long way back, because they
southern "Gelasma” and "Nyalla.” were still enjoying a breeze and It
Owing to another change in the brought them into the picture again.
At about 11 pm. the light south-
erly swung to the west, but it was not
long before it was back again in the
south.
With this southerly aid
"Panamuna” set a direct course for
Naturaliste. which almost took her
there. On the other hand
"Eun-Na-Mara" continued to sail
south and didn't leave the coast until
well below Bouvard.
When the yachts were south of
Bouvard the breeze suddenly streng-
thened and during the night blew at
30 m ph. with gusts up to 40.
Being well out to sea “Panamuna"
now had to beat hard on the wind into
a fast high and short sea. but along
the coast "Eun-Na-Mara” faring much
better was able to make toward the
Cape with eased sails, which made
sailing easier and more comfortable.
This move down the coast enabled
"Eun-Na-Mara” to gain 52 mins, on
"Panamuna" over that stretch to
Naturaliste.
Officials waiting to time the
yachts to the Cape were surprised
when only seven out of the 16 start-
ers turned the half-way mark.
Among the withdrawals was John
Fitzhardlnge's 42 toot bondwood
sloop. "Thea." It could be said that
John was lucky to save his boat
Two of the luckiest men in Perth Newton Roberts tie ft) for’ard hand on “Thea" sprang a leak when 30 or 40
•Panamuna" and Norm Steere forard hand on "Rakoa" discussing their miles from Naturaliste and at the
adventure. Both were washed overboard during the race. Roberts' red cap time was well out to sea. John said
saved him and it is now inevitable that red or orange caps and other safety the plywood butt joint came adrift
equipment will be compulsory in WA offshore events.
38 SEACRAFT. July. 1961