18th Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race

The 18th Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race started at 2pm on Good Friday from Beauty Point, Tasmania.

Fifteen teams aboard a variety of monohull and multihull yachts started the event combining 330 nautical miles of offshore sailing, and 133 kilometres of endurance running to the peaks of three of Tasmania's most spectacular mountains, Mt Strzelecki, Mt Freycinet and Mt Wellington.

The smallest entry in the fleet, the 30 footer Beach Inspector, retired with seasick crew. In a radio report to Tamar Sea Rescue, the crew indicated they had 'copped a pasting' during the first night as a cold front passed through the area bringing rain and cold south westerly winds.

Then second-placed Devonport catamaran Plan Four skippered by Peter Newman was dismasted and despite attempts to salvage the rig, the crew had to cut the remains away and motor to shelter under Eddystone Point.

Tristan Gourlay's 11m sloop James Carey Floor Coverings reported a loose keel and also motored to safety at Eddystone Point shortly after midnight.

Due to the weather conditions, five teams delayed their departure from Lady Barron after their runners finished the Mt Strzelecki run.

However, frustrating light winds on the Derwent River were encountered by the 9.1m catamaran Marshall Engineering as it completed the final sail from Coles Bay to Hobart.

Runners Mark Guy and Paul McKenzie leapt from the yacht at Constitution Dock after skipper Phillip Marshall steered the yacht across the line on Monday afternoon. Their closest rivals had just completed the Mt Freycinet run and faced a night sail to Hobart.

Guy and McKenzie completed the 35km Mt. Wellington run to complete a thrilling back-to-back victory in the Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race.

Team leader Phillip Marshall was quietly ecstatic with his second win, after completing his 12th Three Peaks Race.

Photo: Marshall Engineering changing up from the storm jib after passing through Schouten Passage

www.threepeaks.org.au