Recently launched Oysters - Oyster Yachts

18
PANTAENIUS RACE DAY
In Pursuit of Excellence
OYSTER NEWS
For the last day of racing, the Bay of Palma provided a steady breeze
and sublime sunshine for the Pantaenius Pursuit Race. Adding a new
dimension to Oyster racing, yachts were given a staggered start.
� e sequence and time-delay were decided by how well each yacht and
crew had performed during the regatta. � e pursuit race did not count
as part of the overall series but was designed as a novel way of ending
what had been a very enjoyable gathering of Oyster yachts.
Above: � e Class 1 fl eet led by the Oyster 655,
Solway Mist II
Opposite page:
Top le� : Prize-giving party at Casa de sa Font Seca
Top right: Alan Parker’s Oyster 54, Oyster Reach
Bottom le� : Palma Regatta prizes awaiting recipients!
Bottom right: Paul and Caroline Frew and friends,
Oyster 575 Juno
� e triangular course was designed to test
boat-handling skills at diff erent points of sail and
produced some thrilling action, creating a new
dimension to the competition. In previous races
the faster yachts had been able to sail away
from the fl eet into clear air but on this type of
course, the swi� yachts in the fl eet would need
to overtake the early starters. � e pursuit race
was like a game of cat and mouse; a fast
reaching start allowed the smaller yachts to
speed away, whilst the larger yachts waited,
prowling impatiently in the starting area.
� e magnifi cent Oyster fl eet enjoyed some
of the highest wind speeds of the week and
the tight course produced many battles
within the three-hour race.
“I have been sailing the boat a lot this year,
so I think that has made a bit of a diff erence.”
commented, Alan Parker, owner of Oyster 54,