With a forecast of a 25 knot southerly and seas up to 3 meters several skippers pondered as to whether to compete, but on the day four yachts elected to face the starter in Port Macquarie Yacht Club’s first offshore event of 2026. 

The three placegetters in the 2025 sailing season were joined by Kookaburra 2 at the 9.30 start off Bird Rock, sailing a dog leg southerly course to an eastern turning point, then tacking in towards Tacking Point, before sailing the reverse course, finishing with a south east and return leg.

With a lively southerly of around 20 knots Enticer and Razamatazz 2 were prominent at the start, followed by Third Man, while Kookaburra appeared to have equipment problems and initially fell behind. 

Enticer, which started with speed at the Bird Rock end of the start line, was sailing a similar  course to Razzamatazz 2 but on a higher ladder rung and gradually took a lead over that boat, while Third Man was sailing lower, and went further to sea. The crew on Kookaburra 2, after sorting out her onboard issues, settled, and began her chase catching and passing both Third Man and Razzamatazz 2 by the eastern dog leg. 

With the race order being Enticer, Kookaburra 2, Razzamatazz 2 then Third Man, and wind speed now around 24 knots crews battened down for the south westerly leg towards Tacking Point.  After rounding the Tacking Point mark yachts were now sailing more off the wind on the first return leg, before turning towards Bird Rock into a broad reach/run. With wind speed now in the high 20 knots, and a following swell double digit speeds were recorded on this leg to the Bird Rock turning mark.

A short south east work brought crews back to the reality of a spray soaked decks and clothing with wind speed now up to 30 knots, crews were again tested in the trying conditions, before the final reward of turning and again enjoying the broad reach/run to the Bird Rock finish line. 

Unfortunately, Third Man had seasickness onboard and was unable to finish, but Enticer maintained her lead, and finished two minutes clear of Kookaburra 2 in second place with Razzamatazz 2 third over the line.

After handicaps were applied it was Kookaburra 2 that took the race honours with Enticer in second, relegating Razzamatazz 2 into third place, by a mere 23 seconds.