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Tales 17th/18th
November, 2007 Crayfish Cup
My illusions of an easy Saturday afternoon sitting
on the deck of Tumbleweed, Bill Gross’s favourite
water-borne toy, were rapidly dissipating as the forecast
wind failed to materialise. Tumbleweed, at this stage,
was anchored and bobbing uncomfortably in the relentless
chop one kilometre out from the beach, while around
us on the water were the skippers and crew of the
42 sailing dinghies who had travelled to Apollo Bay
to compete in the Flying Fifteen and Fireball State
Titles, as well as the Apollo Bay sailing club’s
much celebrated Crayfish Cup. On board with us that
afternoon was Ross Wilson, one of the foremost experts
in race management this country has to offer. Ross
was there to oversee the running of the weekend’s
races, so it was with much disappointment that, after
more than two hours waiting for the winds to arrive,
Ross had the unenviable task of calling off the Saturday
afternoon’s races.
The dinner at the golf club that night was some compensation.
The sailing club social crew, Suze and Margaret, had
organised a great night in a top venue that was thoroughly
enjoyed by all those who attended.
Sunday morning looked like it was going to be a frustrating
repeat of the previous day as all the skippers and
crew waited at the harbour for the 15 knot winds that
were forecast. Ross Wilson had the postponement flag
hoisted on the flag pole, and it was a very dejected
group of sailors that watched it hanging limply without
even a flutter. However, after a two hour postponement,
the breeze started to kick in from the north east
and the postponement flag was hauled down. In the
ensuing pandemonium 42 boats were launched in record
time. Out on the water the race management crew were
frantically readying the course, and it was with a
great deal of excitement that the first race for the
weekend got under way and was sailed in near perfect
conditions. But just as the second race was about
to commence, the wind backed around to the west, it
appeared that once again the fickle winds were going
to cause an upset in the day’s plans. It was
at this stage that Ross Wilson decided to abandon
any further races that weekend, and it was back to
the harbour where the gregarious nature of the sailing
fraternity resulted in a very entertaining afternoon
around the barbeque, and promises to return once again
to Apollo Bay.
Our appreciation and thanks go to the following people
for their sponsorship and support in making this great
weekend possible:
Four Winds Marine – for sponsoring the Crayfish
Cup
Ian Lane – for supplying rescue boat and support
with race management
Ocean Rescue crew – for supplying support/rescue
boat
Bill Gross – for writing and testing a results
package at very short notice
Lyn Wallace and Sandra Skene for taking registrations
Suze & Margaret and their helpers – for
organising the dinner Saturday and bbq Sunday
Sista Mermaid – for donation towards wine for
the dinner
Lyn Wallace, Suze McBride and Mr. X for designing
and producing Crayfish Cup T Shirts
The sailing club members and committee for their support
and commitment to the weekend.
A special thank you to Ross Wilson and Ian Lane for
a great and professional job with the race management,
and to the Flying Fifteen Association and Fireball
Association for supporting the Apollo Bay Sailing
Club by holding the State Titles for both associations
in combination with our annual Crayfish Cup in Apollo
Bay.
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