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On 4 May, the fleet left Fremantle for Bali. Some interesting weather was expected up the WA coast, whilst Super Sled was anticipated to set a new race record.
We (The Longboat) were in the rally division, well stocked with music and burritos to last the journey.
The wind died before we got around the first significant mark (Fairway buoy) and we strategically exercised our option to raise the iron topsail over the next few days to be well placed for the coming front.
As a result, we passed inside the Abrolhos - in the dark - and came into Carnarvon via Steep Point - in the dark. Laid up snugly in Carnarvon whilst the promised front did its damage, we watched Wildside return to port minus a mast and collected Sam, a stowaway off said Wildside, for the remainder of the journey.
Conditions for the remainder of the trip were manageable if not always comfortable - no more fresh fish after we lost the lure in Shark Bay though! - and there were some memorable moments surfing down the waves at 18+ knots. In good time we reached Benoa Harbour with only a few deviations of course. The first saw us head to Lombok intentionally to compensate for the current threatening to take us west below the islands, the second - let's call it a demonstration how the tide and currents will influence your course when the iron topsail is disengaged. Our 'one hour from the finish' suddenly turned into three thanks to that little scenic route.
Somehow The Longboat ended up claiming second place in the cruising/monohull division..... and many of us a contemplating going back for more.
Photos are on Picasa at https://picasaweb.google.com/107280353124292665737/FremantleToBaliTheLongboat?authkey=Gv1sRgCPzpwNKSkO3RmQE(copy & paste the link into your browser).
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