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Firefly - Firefly leads Tahiti Pearl Regatta after Race 1



Firefly has reached Bora Bora after completing the first race of the Tahiti Pearl Regatta and currently leads the Cruising Division.



Leading will be a 'short lived' affair as the Cruising Division is not handicapped and amongst the competition are several 60 foot catamarans, including Gizmo, one of the latest carbon flyers from the designer of the Gunboat. There are also several considerably bigger monohulls all from the World ARC rally, these being Chikalu, an X612, Kathea, a Swan 53 and Andromeda a Grand Soleil 50.



The first race started off Raiatea and the first 8 miles of the race took place inside the beautiful lagoon between Tahaa, before the fleet left for the open sea via the Pai Pai Passage. The finish of the 27 mile race was in the Teavanui Passage off Bora Bora - quite a spectacular setting.



Having taken a more Northerly route, running wing on wing in up to 25 knots, Firefly had managed somehow to get a mile or so in front of Gizmo. Then on the 3 mile beam reach along the reef just off Bora Bora, Firefly was managing 8 knots with Gizmo touching 20 knots - so closing incredibly fast. As we rounded into the pass the last few hundred metres of the race was to windward and despite Gizmo passing Firefly to leeward, after tacking Firefly, on starboard, forced her to tack and finished 2 seconds ahead!



Race 2 will be a race back to Tahaa and today Firefly does not stand a chance. Its a 20+ mile race to windward and despite the forecast being 10 to 14 knots the rigging is rattling in the wind and its actually blowing about 25.



Prior to the Tahiti Pearl Regatta, Firefly anchored for 2 days on the South of Huahine inside the lagoon. Huahine has a relatively low population who have a reputation for not liking or wanting tourists. We sensed this a little during our trips ashore but were generally welcomed. The island feels very untouched and has spectacular scenery.



Firefly sailed the 20 miles across to Raiatea on Tuesday 29th April and anchored in Baie Farroe in the afternoon. An expedition in the dinghy then followed - up the Aoppomau River, apparently the only navigable river in French Polynesia. It was in fact barely navigable, but as expected we met 'James' sitting in his canoe waiting for adhoc visitors to the 'botanical garden'. It was in fact a very informative tour, James really knew his plants and he explained a lot of detail as we walked around what was more of a plantation. This was then followed by a stop to sample various fruits, including Soursap, which was despite its name extremely sweet.



The following morning we motored to where Yachts had assembled for the regatta at Utoroa on the North East coast of Raiatea. Some interesting mooring then took place with yachts trying to pick up a mooring and go stern too in 25 knots of breeze. The Tahiti Pearl Regatta then opened in the evening with a reception. Polynesian dancing, fire dancing, rum punches galore all followed making a very enjoyable evening.



Paul, Susie and Peter

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