Owner Andy Offord and co-skipper Steve Prince have secured an exciting victory in the Bird Island Race, a key lead-up to the Rolex Sydney-Hobart. Their Sun Fast 3300, “Borderline,” outperformed a competitive fleet that included two previous Hobart champions.
The 80-mile race began and ended in Sydney Harbour, navigating North along the coast to Bird Island off the Central Coast. The double-handed fleet featured impressive competitors, including another 3300, “Toucan,” several J99s, a JPK 10.40, and even a completely restored 120-year-old classic yacht.
Starting a race in Sydney Harbour can be challenging, especially with larger yachts in the mix. This year, the fleet included the Super Maxi “Commanche,” designed by 3300 co-designer Guillaume Verdier, along with several 60-footers and TP52s. Both “Borderline” and “Toucan” executed a fantastic exit from the harbour, quickly catching a strengthening sea breeze.
As the wind picked up from 11 to 16 knots, the 3300s began to gain distance on their competitors. The fleet faced a strategic choice: stick close to the rhumbline and wait for the breeze to shift as forecasted or venture further out to sea for stronger winds. As they passed Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the wind continued to strengthen, allowing “Borderline” and the other 3300s to utilize their water ballast efficiently. Meanwhile, some competitors struggled with full sails and opted for smaller headsails.
By the time they reached Nora Head, “Borderline” was leading on IRC handicap, closely followed by two J99s. “Borderline” rounded the island first, just after 8 PM, and quickly hoisted their A4 spinnaker, reaching impressive speeds of up to 19 knots in gusts of 30 knots. However, the shifty winds required careful handling to maintain control.
During this exhilarating ride, a snap-shackle on the spinnaker sheet unexpectedly came undone. The crew swiftly re-hoisted the headsail and worked to get the A4 down, which took nearly 20 minutes. Once they switched to an A5 spinnaker, they regained control and sailed smoothly back toward the harbour.
While one J99 ventured further out to sea, another faced difficulties when their spinnaker wrapped around the forestay, costing them valuable time and dropping them to fifth place.
Ultimately, “Borderline” managed three successful gybes with their spinnaker all the way to the finish line, achieving double-handed line honors and winning the race by 8 minutes on IRC. “Toucan” finished strong in eighth place.
With 21 double-handed entries in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, the Sun Fast 3300s have a notable track record, having finished second twice in recent years. This year, four 3300s are competing, including “Borderline,” “Toucan,” and “Transcendence,” which has already completed a double-handed Hobart and excelled in the RPAYC Bluewater Series for two consecutive years. Additionally, an all-women’s double-handed team will sail the 3600 “Gizmo.”
Join us in celebrating the achievements of the Sun Fast 3300 fleet as they prepare for the prestigious Rolex Sydney Hobart!