Hobart’s newest racing yacht, Cougar II,  on Saturday set what is believed to be a race record time for a port-hand rounding course for the Derwent Sailing Squadron’s traditional Betsey Island race, surfing back up the Derwent in a spectacular spinnaker run.

Skippered by Tony Lyall, the powerful TP52 class yacht covered the 38 nautical mile course in 3 hours 30 minutes and 9 seconds, averaging more than 11 knots despite lighter winds and a beat to windward down the river after the morning start from Castray Esplanade.

2 Unlimited won both the AMS and PHS divisions of the Betsey Island Race.  Photo:  Peter Campbell
Oyun Oyna

With only four entries received,  the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania has cancelled the Mewstone Race which was due to start from Hobart this Friday evening, 20 January.

Start of the revived Mewstone Race in January 2011.  Photo: Peter Campbell

Cougar II is on the prowl in southern Tasmanian waters, with Anthony Lyall’s newest yacht making a winning local race debut in yesterday’s Combined Club Long Distance Series race on the River Derwent and Storm Bay.

The state-of-the-art TP52 streaked away from the 42 boat fleet over the 39 nautical mile course to take line honours and first place on corrected time in the IRC category with a display of powerful sailing against the local fleet.