From the Vault: Mission Impossible

This highlight is from our Grand Prix Sailing 18ft skiff racing days, summer of 95/96 on Fremantle Harbour in Western Australia.

This clip, suitably titled Mission Impossible was compiled from one of our most extreme days on the water. The course was newly designed a day ahead of this race with consideration of the side angled breeze.
The skippers' given the course map the night prior to the race, yet for whatever reason, 8 of 9 it seems forgot the route come race day.

When the race began it seemed a case of the blind leading the blind. One set off in the wrong direction, the others followed assuming it was the right way to go. One losing the battle to a dock somewhere along the way.

With the wind working against them, it turned into a sea of carnage as each boat crashed their way around the harbour.

The side angled breeze making it difficult to stay upright.
8 of 9 boats failed to finish for not sailing the course correctly.
Xerox, the only boat to complete the course correctly taking out the win.