Written by: Graham and Colin Date of Race: 1-9-18
Vessel: Black Velvet Adams 10 Division: 1
Season: Spring 2018-2019 Race Number: 1
Vessel: Black Velvet Adams 10 Division: 1
Season: Spring 2018-2019 Race Number: 1
_Line Honours Handicap Placings
1) Still Festering – Adams 10.6 1) Black Velvet
2) Axis of Evil - Etchells 2) League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
3) League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – Adams 10 3) Axis of Evil
4) Black Velvet – Adams 10 4) Still Festering
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Division 1 Race Report
The sun was shining on the first morning of spring, and there was hardly a breath of air until about 11 am. A westerly started to build and by noon when our crew assembled in Tarban Creek the breeze had stiffened. We decided to go with our biggest headsail, the number 2, but not use a kite. We had seven crew and 3 of them had race experience. Graham was selected to helm because he knows the rules and has the most racing experience. We sailed quickly under Gladesville Bridge and up to the clubhouse with an hour to spare. Gradually other yachts joined us but Still Festering was nowhere to be seen. Within minutes to the start of the first race of the spring season saw two other boats ready to start in division one and at least three in division three. Then at the last minute, Still Festering appeared.
Division three set of and the 4 boats in division 1 were jostling for position. Black velvet sailed to the club end on port tack (risky strategy), and because we were early I luffed up to avoid taking out the clubhouse .
When they flag dropped we had to tack onto starboard as we were out of water. This let the starboard tackers through and the only boat behind us was Still Festering. The work to the top mark saw us have to duck two boats and then the fun began.
The run was dead square and we polled out the jib on the wrong side. The jib was then goose wing but with the unpredictable Westerly we managed three Chinese jibes. Pat and crew waved goodbye as Still Festering sailed past and that was all we saw of them. During the second down wind run, we saw the big white spinnaker of Axis of Evil, perfectly set but still making trouble during some gusts. Xena Warrior Princess from division 3 had the purple kite out and they too were being tossed around by the westerly.
Towards the end of the race, we could see a close encounter as Axis of Evil and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen crossed in front of the Abbotsford Ferry Wharf. From our angle it was too close for comfort, but there was no collision. The end of the race saw Festering with line honours. Speedo steered Axis of Evil into second, and we made up some time on League of Extraordinary Gentlemen but still finished fourth.
After calculating handicaps, all positions were reversed and Black Velvet placed first on handicap. Our thanks to the hard working crew. Nobody went overboard, but Tina copped an elbow on the nose during some shared winch work during a tack.
Till next time ‘NEVER TRUST A WESTERLY’.
- Graham and Colin
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