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Tales 17th
January, 2009
S/SE 5 to 10 knots, tide raging in slight, sloppy
sea. Glorious sunshine and 7 yachts testing their
stuff over 3 port course races in reasonably consistant
conditions.
As Race 1 started, the fleet were spread as they
each came to terms with the strength of the tide down
the course. Once underway the fleet were moving well
but for every 2 steps forward the tide draged one
back. Shayne and John Lindsay (Town Bike) were first
to the top mark enjoying their first and final glimpse
of outright success for the day. They were closely
followed by April Dancer, and Windswept, 4mins latter
Zappa the 17mins later Interlude and the Sabre (Sam
I Am) overcame their tidal tussle to round the top
mark – phew!! This race was a “sausage”
meaning the boats sail upwind to the top mark then
run directly downwind to the finish. Places didn’t
change whist sailing downwind.
Race 2 started over a shortened start line as duty
officer Burnang was keen to get better photos. The
fleet responded to the challenge with 6 of the 7 boats
crossing within 20 seconds of the hooter. At the top
mark the upsets were revealed; April Dancer, Apollo
Bay Community Bank (skippered by new member JP –
welcome!) then Windswept, Interlude !!, Town Bike,
Sam I Am, then Zappa who had endured a tough start.
The wind had started swinging 30 degrees to the South,
hence the healthy mixng of the fleet at the top mark.
This race was a “triangle” meaning the
fleet sail up wind, the bear away to an outer mark
on a downwind broadreach for 2 legs. The wind shifting
to the south had meant the course was offline, making
the second reach quite tight (closer to the wind).
Terry Robb on April Dancer, sailing his first season,
consistently showed the fleet how to fly a quick spinaker
with clews (corners) level and the sail stable. His
boat held a good line and constant speed to fiinish
1st (Wacko!), Windswept followed (struggling against
tide and wind shift), Apollo Bay Community Bank (Fantastic!
– race winners!), Town Bike (who’d come
back well).
Given the shifty wind, the bottom mark and start
line was moved seaward to free up the second downwind
leg for the third race. Burnang (the 15 month old
Rescue Doggy co pilot) was handling the conditions
far better than he did last season. Whilst he wasn’t
sick, he was clearly unwell at times but so was duty
officer Geeks.
Shayne and John Lindsey on Town Bike gave it all
they had to sail a smokin’ race. However, it
was April Dancer all the way sailing clear from the
start. Windswept and Town Bike tangled in technicalities
off the start line which resulted in Town Bike being
shot out the back door. The Apollo Bay Community Bank
sailed another great race. Interlude and Sam I Am
retired but Zappa persisted with the conditions which
had become more shifty and a little patchy. Of the
3 close starters April Dancer ended up 2 mins clear
of the Town Bike and Windswept at the finish line.
Only 4 seconds seperated the latter 2 boats –
close racing in testy conditions.
There are over 360 photos of this week’s races
to view on line at: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/geeksnieks/SailingDuty17th#
It was a really beautiful day.
Results: 17th of Jan. Overall results
Boat H/cap Y/stk
April Dancer 1 1
A/Bay Bank 2 5
Townbike 3 2
Windswept 4 3
Interlude 4 6
Zappa 5 3
Sam I Am 6 4
The Winners: April Dancer and Apollo Bay Community
Bank. Congratulations and Well Done!
New members are always welcome. Come along around
12:00 on Saturday if you’d like to sail in Apollo
Bay. Racing starts at 2:00pm. Briefing at 12:30.
Reminder of the coaching morning 9:30 to 11:30 this
Saturday. Racing to follow as usual.
Thanks to Ian Learey for cooking up sensational hot
potatoes
Thanks to Russell Smith for delivery and maintenance
of the Rescue Boat and provision of fresh water in
our 20litre containers.
Thanks to Bob Hansen for cleaning the club house
each week.
Thanks to Jeffery Richardson for the web space
Life is good. Come Sailing! ?
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