It’s the Pitts

The Farr 45, Pretty Woman, smoked away from the fleet at the start of the 2009 Pittwater to Coffs race and, with favourable conditions in the early stages, looked likely to take line honours and a record. She had covered considerable ground on the first day, whilst the Marten 49, Perpetual Mocean, was sitting around mid fleet.

Then came the change; softening conditions throughout Friday/Saturday night, meant an end to Pretty Woman’s record pace and a closing in the ranks. 2 miles north of Crescent Head, with about 55 miles to the line, Pretty Woman kissed goodbye to a record and found herself just 6 miles ahead of Perpetual Mocean.

By the time the leaders radioed their final, compulsory, Nambucca sked to Coastal Patrol in Coffs Harbour 11 am, it was a neck and neck battle for line honours, between Pretty Woman and Perpetual Mocean and, in the closest finish in the 28 year history of the race, Perpetual Mocean beat Pretty Woman by a mere 3 and a half minutes, after 226nm of racing.  

This pic, from Damian Devine, shows how close it was. More here.