Div 1 - Autumn Series - Race 1

Sailing on the Parramatta River in summertime - does it get much better than this? The breeze filled in just before the start for Division 3 and we were set for the afternoon. Our assistant starters (Pete and Carmel) set us on a #5 course, our alternate course for a good Sydney nor-easter. That would set us up for a lovely long spinnaker run from Cockatoo Is all the way back to #1 in Putney.

We had the three usual combatants in Div 1 (including the return of Barry Who) and we all had a clean start. It was good, hard racing all the way to the top mark of Cockatoo Island. Positions were SF, LOEG and AOE. Up went the kite and so went the drag race back up the river to #1. Unfortunately we suffered a communication breakdown onboard which resulted in our lovely blue spinnaker looking more like a kite surfers kit taking us into #1.......all was retrieved with only pride being damaged, so off we went for the next leg. Positions at the bottom mark were SF, LOEG and AOE. Back up to #5 and then around to #3 with another kite run. The drop near #3 was executed with far more decorum than shown earlier. Another work to #5 and a final kite run to the finish. This alternate NE course gives spectators at the clubhouse three kite passes to entertain them, including at least one kite drop when we head up into #3. While the positions did not change throughout the afternoon, the racing was very close, with any tactical mistake or gear mis-hap likely to claim valuable time. Scratch results were SF, LOEG and AOE. However, the barrel chested men of AOE narrowly missed out on the chocolates, with the handicap won by a mere 22 seconds. Handicap results SF, AOE, LOEG.

Some notes to put in the diary:
Special Trophies race this Saturday, don't forget the earlier start.
Division 3 Dinner is coming up on the 27th Feb. Keep an eye out for an announcement of this event.

See you on the water,
SF