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Firefly - Firefly and the Tahiti Pearl Regatta



The Tahiti Pearl Regatta has been very special for a number of reasons. The location, the party atmosphere and the wide mix of crews racing in the event have all been memorable.

In the second race, a start in the pass at Bora Bora and a close reach along the reef made for some very exciting sailing. This was however followed by a less exciting 20 mile slog to windward back to the islands of Tahaa and Raiatea. Without any handicapping in the race, Firefly did not stand a chance against the larger and much faster boats in her division (akin to the 'hare and the tortoise') and after leading initially dropped back to finish 6th.

With the opportunity for discarding the worst result, and counting a first place in the first race - Firefly did still had a chance going into the third and final race. This was a race around Tahaa inside the beautiful lagoon. Paul and Suzanna from World Cruising joined the crew and were invaluable extra hands as the race course this time was quite narrow, the wind very variable and there were numerous other boats to avoid.

Flying gennakers from just after the start, Firefly, Chika Lu and NDS Darwin had a superb reach in close proximity for several miles to the inevitable point where the wind dropped in the lee of the island. Firefly came out of the quiet patch leading and then settled onto a long beat to the finish, inside the lagoon and in flat water with 20 knots of apparent wind - perfect conditions.

Unfortunately during this stage of the last race there was some confusion regarding the course and of the leading boats in the cruising division Firefly was the only boat to sail in accordance with the race instructions - correctly navigating all the marks in the lagoon, and sailing further in doing so - although this was pointed out to both the other boats and the race committee nothing was changed regarding the outcome, just a 'gallic shrug' from the race officer and so in this case the 'hare and the tortoise' story did not have the usual ending! - even so Firefly came out with 3rd overall.

Now the regatta is over Firefly will now start heading back for Bora Bora, spending a day on the west of Tahaa in order to snorkel over the coral garden on the moto. At Bora Bora Susie is booked on an open water dive course and Paul and Peter and are also planning more scuba activities.

Paul, Susie and Peter

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