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Tales 5th January
2008
Race 1 for the Post Christmas Series. A fresh 20–25
knots from the NW! Could it be? Strong winds for race
day? It would be a first for the year - maybe it would
be too windy with another cancellation? Then, a major
shift with 15-20 knots from the SSE - even better,
a steady sea breeze.
A course was set, crews briefed, boats launched. And
then the wind began to drop, and drop to zero at start
time! “&%$#*&%@#%# !!” Yet another
windless race day – we’ve had enough this
season to kill any sailors enthusiasm. So it says
much about Apollo Bay sailors that they keep fronting
up each Saturday despite the poor forecasts. Or maybe
they’re hoping Ken Goodison’s new ‘Jeanneau’
keelboat has arrived for them to have a good perve
at. ‘Uncle Ken’, as he is now affectionately
called (by anyone younger – and some pretending),
is expecting delivery any day. Rest assured it will
be a very exciting time for our humble sailing community.
Anyway a course had been set, so we all waited, sails
flapping as the boats rocked on a small sea from some
long forgotten wind. After a 30 minute postponement,
enough breeze filled for a race start – just
barely. The start siren went – and so did the
breeze! “$%*#$%*$&@%^%!!!” Again!
Boats drifted across the line, the gnashing of teeth
quite audible above the flapping of sails and the
cursing of crews.
The beat to the top mark was a painful affair with
the wind shifting up to 150 degrees and never more
than 3-5 knots in strength. The patient were rewarded
though, with 8-10 knots of sea breeze filling in from
the SSE for the rest of the race.
The fifteens all performing well as did the 505.
The surprise package was David Robb on the helm of
the white Yngling, sailing a great race for a novice
skipper to come home in 5th place. Well done David.
Final places were:
Boat Handicap Yardstick
Knives n Forks 1 2
Town Bike 2 1
Windswept 3 3
Sweatshop 4 4
White Yngling 5 5
Next week is the 2nd race of the Post Christmas series.
Thanks to sponsors J & C Marriner.
‘Knives n Forks’ is on duty and Interlude
has Raffle duty at the Bottom Pub. Happy sailing!
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