Firstly I want to say, how good was that dinner put on by Still Festering after the first Long Course race of the session. Standing Pork Rib Roast sliced into succulent pork chops with gravy & apple sauce, perfect jacket spuds, juicy corn on the cob and a selection of salads lovely & fresh. Topped off with ice cream for dessert. Wonderful!
Anyway what am I supposed to talking about? Ah yes, the race. ....
Anyway what am I supposed to talking about? Ah yes, the race. ....
With not much breeze around and a forecast of dying winds, I thought it a brave call to send us on the Long Course, but our fearless starter Leonardo was in no doubt and following hot on the heals of our Div 3 colleagues we set off across the line on top of the pack with a slight southerly slant. Still Festering wasn't to be outdone by this and deftly sailed up above us to take control of the first leg and as it turned out the rest of the race.
With Still Festering to our starboard, we decided to take Axis (caught underneath) on a scenic tour of Bedlam bay, much to the dismay of "Bitters" in the barrel chested trio. The breeze was swinging around and a East Nor East tried to come in but got smacked down by So'Easter each time. It gave us a sniff to try to sneak past Searle's point, but too little too late and as we tacked Stiff Festering were powering down the river and extending their lead.
The trip down harbour saw us all seemingly sailing different breezes, but this made no impact on the leaders, however Axis and Resurgent were having a tight tussle behind us for third place. There was enough east in it to make us all throw in a few tacks which made it interesting going past the Opera House with what looked like the start of the Great Ferry Race coming out of Circular quay. All through safely and we eased off a breeze to down to Lady Jane.
The trip back was relatively uneventful, bit of a soldiers course until Pinch Gut, when we thought about putting a kite up. Willo's eagle eyes spotted Still Festering being carted by Big Blue into Circular Quay. So we sat back and watched the fun, their spinnaker filled, folded and flagged. When it looked more favourable we out up Big Red and settled in for a comfortable run up the river, however at Blue's point we copped a massive header which sent our pole backwards and the kite wrapping around the forestay. Luckily there was a cruise boat just below us with a skipper that actually knew what to do, they kept out of our way as best they could as we sorted the sucker out. By that time it was time to knock it off, and that's how it stayed until about Searle's when we inquired of Peanuts if he wanted to put it up to the finish. He replied by unclipping the braces and putting them away, I guess not!
The across the line was Still Festering, LEOG, Resurgent and Axis, LEOG took the chocolates. Good sailing and did I mention how good the pork was!
Cheers
BAM
With Still Festering to our starboard, we decided to take Axis (caught underneath) on a scenic tour of Bedlam bay, much to the dismay of "Bitters" in the barrel chested trio. The breeze was swinging around and a East Nor East tried to come in but got smacked down by So'Easter each time. It gave us a sniff to try to sneak past Searle's point, but too little too late and as we tacked Stiff Festering were powering down the river and extending their lead.
The trip down harbour saw us all seemingly sailing different breezes, but this made no impact on the leaders, however Axis and Resurgent were having a tight tussle behind us for third place. There was enough east in it to make us all throw in a few tacks which made it interesting going past the Opera House with what looked like the start of the Great Ferry Race coming out of Circular quay. All through safely and we eased off a breeze to down to Lady Jane.
The trip back was relatively uneventful, bit of a soldiers course until Pinch Gut, when we thought about putting a kite up. Willo's eagle eyes spotted Still Festering being carted by Big Blue into Circular Quay. So we sat back and watched the fun, their spinnaker filled, folded and flagged. When it looked more favourable we out up Big Red and settled in for a comfortable run up the river, however at Blue's point we copped a massive header which sent our pole backwards and the kite wrapping around the forestay. Luckily there was a cruise boat just below us with a skipper that actually knew what to do, they kept out of our way as best they could as we sorted the sucker out. By that time it was time to knock it off, and that's how it stayed until about Searle's when we inquired of Peanuts if he wanted to put it up to the finish. He replied by unclipping the braces and putting them away, I guess not!
The across the line was Still Festering, LEOG, Resurgent and Axis, LEOG took the chocolates. Good sailing and did I mention how good the pork was!
Cheers
BAM
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