As Day 2 of racing prepared to get underway at Geographe Bay Raceweek (GBRW) 2026, sailors might be forgiven for thinking that the Race Director had a remote control for the wind! And, yes, he’d dialled it up a notch!
Racing on the sportsboat course blasted off right on schedule at 10 am with the Vipers, VX Ones and Flying Fifteens revelling in a southerly breeze that was gusting in excess of 20 knots. Spectators on the nearby Busselton Jetty were treated to a kaleidoscope of colour as these classes rounded the inshore mark, popped kites, and rocketed back out to sea.
The main fleet began its parade from Port Geographe marina a little before midday, eyeing a 1 pm start off the end of Jetty. Once again, the nearby sportsboats provided the entertainment on the way to the start line and drew a crowd as the competitors got a taste of the conditions they’d be tackling over the breadth of the afternoon’s racing.
With the sun shining, crystal clear flat water and 15-20 knots of breeze, Race Officer Dubbo put the fleets on a Long or Medium course which had them traverse a series of marks in front of the clubhouse before an epic kite run out to sea followed by a reach towards Dunsborough before heading back to a finish. The faster fillies were around the course in a couple hours, with the Bethwaite-designed 89er ‘Don’t Panic’ stretching her legs and the Cape 31’s ‘Dirty Deeds’ and ‘Green Arrow’ in hot pursuit.
There were a few stragglers as the day wore on but with the infamous beach bar at Geographe Bay Yacht Club alive and jumping by 6 pm, it looked like everyone got home in good time and, judging by the smiles, another great day on the water. Once again sailors slaked their thirst on Shelter Brewing’s range of beverages whilst devouring specialty woodfired pizzas produced by local Busselton gastronomists ‘Doof Wired Pizzas’.
Race Director Scott Olney commented: “the conditions were amazing today – it was a great breeze and, being offshore, it kept the water flat so really enjoyable conditions for the competitors”.
Director Olney has suggested he might turn the breeze down a couple of notches tomorrow – much to the disappointment of the sportsboats – but stay tuned for more of the action from GBRW 2026.
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