When Hanse distributor Windcraft's Bob Vinks read out the sailing instructions in the forecourt at Pittwater's Royal Motor Yacht Club, hosts of the Hanse Regatta, he reinforced the fact that this was to be a fun day.

An hour later, as the fleet of 33 yachts jockeyed for starting positions in zero to three knots of fitful nor'easter near Scotland Island, this reminder paid off. There was good natured banter among the crews as boats crept towards the line, with only centimetres separating them at times.

Fortunately, the breeze strengthened shortly after the start and the log jam of prized Hanses split into a pecking order that didn't necessarily reflect the size of the boats.

The day's first no-extras race was set for a zig-zag course across Pittwater and around West Head into Broken Bay's finish line, but was shortened in the interests of allowing sufficient lunch and relaxation time before the start of the second race. In Hanse parlance ‘no extras' means self-tacking jibs only - no genoas or gennakers.

BLING ON A WING
In the fickle breeze, first across the line was Bling, a 400e that's been given the go-fast treatment to great effect. Three minutes later, after a 90-minute affair, I crossed the line on Rob Salteri's One O Nine. Try as we may, we couldn't make up the distance on the quick 40-footer, but One O Nine led the other 54s in the race, the new owner was pleased. Third was Vixen, a 43-footer that's a regular sight on Pittwater.

The no-extras race showed that in these light airs, waterline length wasn't necessarily king, with 34s and 37s mixed in among the bigger boats. Interlude led the 34s; Hansel the 37s; and Vixen the 43s.

HUNGRY LUNCH
The fleet anchored in Hungry Beach for a lazy lunch, then assembled for the 3pm optional-extras race start. The breeze had kicked in to 10 to 15kts by start time, so the beat into the Broken Bay swells saw the fleet heeled over and the keener competitors with crews on the windward rails.

The rounding mark - a bronze Fjord 40 cruiser that is now part of the expanding Windcraft boat stable - was easily spotted across the swells and after rounding it, the extras came out for the broad reach to the RMYC finish line.

Our boat led the race to the mark and Rob's experienced crew had the red gennaker flying soon after. The boat surged to nine knots in the variable breeze and all was looking good for a first-over-the-line result. Then, unpredictable Pittwater took a hand.

We've thought for some months that sand has been building up west of the Palm Beach low-water pile, but we had proof positive when One O Nine slowed to a crawl and a joyous Bling surged past. We'd picked up some weed and while it took only a few course wiggles to dislodge it, the lead was gone. We gradually closed on the stern of the 400e, but Bling pipped us at the post.

The no-extras boats in the second race were led across the finish line by Seal, a 47-footer; followed by Ruffian, a 43; Harlequin, a 40; Hansky, a 37; and Interlude, a 34.

The day culminated in a dinner in the RMYC forecourt, where the spoils of the day's achievements were handed out. Peter Hrones and Bob Vinks thanked everyone for attending and said they'd plan a bigger and even better event for next year.

Bling scored the double whammy, picking up the door prize as well - three nights for two at Earl's Anchorage on Lord Howe Island, with Qantas return flights.

The Hanse Regatta provided a perfect test environment, so watch this space for a full report of the Hanse 540e soon.