Restart

Restart
All classes started together at 1500 UTC on 22 June 99 from a line off Ponta Delgada harbour entrance. A Portuguese Navy frigate marked one end of the start line and carried the competing yachtsman's families as passengers, including my wife, Alison, and our youngest offspring, Peter, with whom I had spent an enjoyable weeks holiday on Saõ Miguel.
A turning mark had been set off a popular beach 2 miles distant. It would be close-hauled on the starboard tack in the 7knot SE breeze. Hakuna Matata made a great start and rounded the mark at the head of the class 1 fleet. Much of the fleet elected to go west-about the island, with the wind initially behind them. I chose east-about, along with most of the more competitive boats. Tacking to windward in light winds, with a flat sea, suits Hakuna and I was able to pull out a lead of several miles on Bucks Eagle (in 2nd place) by the time I reached the south-eastern corner of Saõ Miguel.
Then the wind dropped...