With Jim unable to sail we replaced him with Barry's son Paul. Then at the last minute Barry was also unable to sail. So two up again. With a sunny day and N/E breeze and with Next Light starting, it was a fleet of 5 Div 1 boats.
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The day turned out to be very interesting with the predicted SSE breeze presenting some twists and turns throughout the day. 13:30 start in about 10 to 12 kts with the forecast for the wind to abate as the day progressed, along with a big run out tide was what was awaiting the fleet. It was a close start by the 4 combatants for the day with all boats arriving at the line simultaneously. The first big challenge was the race to Searle’s with the Big Baz Award going to Still Festering pursued closely by LOEG, RGT, AOE.
Spring Series Race 6 5/11/16 First Handicap race of the year (or was it)?
The day arrived with a WSW zephyr meandering its way across the river with the occasional gust reading 35kts around noon. Consideration was given whether to start in such benign conditions, crews and skippers were pondering yes no yes no the final decision a mystery until kick off. Forecast was for the wind to abate as the afternoon wore on but would it? Arriving at the PRSC I find the skipper Speed is walking toward the club, Jimmy the man is already there, and my best mate the reliable noreaster is just starting to come in, I am starting to feel excited, how about you?.........
The forecast weather for the day is not what we wait for at the end of the working week. Winds predicted to get to 25kts from SSE, cool temperatures and possible showers, so who wouldn’t want to be out there. The earlier than normal start for Div 1 was greeted by a dirty big black cloud heading our way, so out with the wet weather gear for all on the boats........
The nor'wester was still lingering around 1.30pm when it was supposed to be pushed out by the sea breeze. The breeze seemed fine at NE for the Div3 (6 boats starting) 13:50 start albeit light, then Div1 got away very evenly again with all four boats right on the gun with SF (no2 genoa set) to leeward, then RSGT (no2 genoa after originally hoisting the big dog), with LOEG (no1 genoa) and AOE to windward. The fleet tacked onto port and it was a drag race to Abbotsford Point with SF and RSGT neck and neck but then the breeze disappeared and we drifted up to Searles on the last of the outgoing tide.......
The first long course race was eagerly anticipated with the 20-25 knot southerly forecast to come in around 9am – which it did. The thought was that it would be reasonably stable by start time but this was a tad wishful, with peak gusts on the harbour recorded at 30 and less than half that at times – guess a normal southerly change breeze. The wind was given the respect it deserved with SF and LOEG going for non-overlapping jibs and full mains, Resurgent (RSGT) the same but with a reef in the main, and AOE after a late appearance hoisted their well proven suit.
The weekend arrived promising a fine day with light SE winds, however this was not the case. Fortunately for us sailors the temperature was a delightful 23 degrees with an 8 - 10 kt sea breeze. Guests were amongst us for the day with Jimmy replacing Jimmy, yes that’s right, no typo, it was JS replacing JS or Sinclair in for Shepardson on the Axis of Evil. This would now call for a reshuffle on the boat with JS to steer and Speedo sent to the pointy bit for the day......
Finally, the breeze I had been dreaming of was on the forecast. 10-15 knot Nor'easter, perfect for the first harbour race of the season. Alas, while it was a lovely warm morning, there was still no breeze at 1pm. We all assembled in the start area, waiting waiting waiting. The stand-in starters of the day made the perfect call to first delay the start, then switch from the long haul up the harbour to the more realistic islands course so that we could have a better chance of a result. In their most exciting call of the day, the starters decided to start us as one fleet of 8 yachts. This could be fun.....
What the hell is going on? Huey the weather god has blessed us with an exact replica of last Saturdays race! This will mean no girls on the LOEG again today however with 15 minutes to go, before the start the tarts come racing past, just to show they can sail in breezy conditions! Obviously last weeks teasing had an effect!
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