At last the high winds have moved away and we can bring the new toy out to play!
After Jim tendered us to the boat from the club in style, the team and I jumped on Xena to prepare for the race. The sheets were loaded ready to raise the new purple people eater (PPE) spinnaker.
At last the high winds have moved away and we can bring the new toy out to play!
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With 3 of AFB’S regular interchange skippers and crew away sailing the Hawkesbury we once again were faced with prospect of sailing two up. After the big westerly blow last week, the forecast 10-15 NorWester was a welcome relief.
Having been off the water for a week a late race report may be good for all.
Below is a breakdown of race result, of division 1, put together by Bruce Wilson the intimidator, of LOEG. The week prior to the last race of the season. Also a results so far” version of the club championship – Last saturday saw the first handicap race in this Autumn season in a NE 8-16 knots . First off the mark Windfalls had a 4 minute advantage over XWP. First stage of the race was WF holding the lead in the uphill stages and then around mark 6 the downwind stage that has seen the boats with spinnakers race away was upon us.
The day started with a great wind which built during the day from 10 to 15 knots NE. Good sailing conditions.
Upon arrival at the club we found Pat playing with water again. He was using his gurney to clean steps and ensure all are safe....thanks Pat. Saturday’s weather saw a light SE breeze leading to the regular discussion of which jig to choose. With some fresh gusts coming through we settled on the number 2 jib. The breeze was around 10 knots coming in from the SE but tending ESE and occasionally swinging back South to make it interesting.
First race back after the festive season and everyone was still seemingly in holiday mode, or at least partially influenced - but shouldn’t speak for others. Huey the wind god was fully hung over and had a total shocker as was clearly evidenced throughout the afternoon no matter where on the harbour you were – the wind frequently coming from 3 directions at once, at 4 strengths……..the unrequested input mate is that if you’re going to put in another wind effort like that this season it’s best to hand over to your 2IC and have a well needed rest, better still don’t come back leave it to him. Thanks in advance.
A keen 15knot easterly greeted us for the first leg to Lukes, low tide 4.09pm, no3 jib sailing, perfect conditions.
At the start FGO hit the line on time and with speed like a bat out of hell and footed fast across the river on starboard, pursued by RBO to windward and then XWP with AFB unusually lagging a bit, short-handed. Long course series race 2 up to Taylors Bay and back – 8-16knt noreaster which had a lot of east in it, and swung and gusted a bit. High tide 4.39pm, super sailing conditions.
AFB won the start nicely at mid line followed to windward by FGO and RBO – XWP trailing unusually – and the sprint on starboard to the first tack was on. What better way to end the week than with a Special Trophies Race? After a 41 degree Friday, Saturday dawned overcast with scattered light showers, 23 degrees and cool southerly winds forecasted at 25 knots by race time.
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