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......
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.
So to the race with the normal Div 1 combatant’s keen to test themselves again wind and foe. The start saw the four boats all gathering at the rowing club end of the line with LOEG being harassed by AOE who got the jump on the fleet with SF & Resurgent trying to stay clean and clear. AOE were in it for the sprint win (first to Searles on the first work of the day). That leg to Searles was intense, with that pesky AOE tacking and out pointing the other 3 boats, leading all the way up to Gladesville Bridge with the 2 Adams going tack for tack and Resurgent not far away until SF managed to slip through and lead at the first mark. The mark rounding was a brutal affair with the Div 1 boats arriving at the same time as an unlucky Div 3 boat (A Fine Balance) who was beat up by the LOEG just short of the rounding with the little boat having to do a 360 to avoid being tangled up with AOE and the LOEG. Good smart sailing by all saw no issues evolve and spinnakers where set for the run to 1. LOEG however were not finished with AFB yet, trying that old favourite of tossing a spinnaker bag over the side of the boat hoping to tangle the keel or rudder of AFB to remind them who they were dealing with. AFB managed to avoid the obstacle, but unfortunately for LOEG, were unable to retrieve the jettisoned bag. The run to 1 saw new fwd hands on SF (Mitch) and AOE (Speedo) recalling bygone years and what a joyful day they had (more on that later on). The sail area and waterline on the two Adams came to assist with gaps being made on Resurgent & AOE on route to 1. Positions stayed reasonably stable with SF rounding 1 first, LOEG 2nd AOE 3rd RES 4th. These remained the same for the rest of the day with never more than a few minutes between the two Adams keeping that rivalry week in and week out enjoyable, remembering the last time they clashed in R2 of spring series 4 secs was the margin in favour of the LOEG. Line honours went to SF, LOEG 2nd, AOE 3rd RES 4th with Resurgent showing a glimpse of exiting speed downwind with more to come I’m sure so watch this space. The handicap result mirrored the finishing order above.
But before I go, let me just remind you of the day our forward hands had: on SF Mitch trying to throw herself off the boat but refusing to let go of the spinnaker pole, then getting peckish and trying to chew the stainless ring off the downhaul from the spinnaker pole; on AOE Speedo had 2 wine glasses and a clip malfunction from the clew of the spinnaker while set; Nuts of the LOEG going back to his old 18ft days throwing bags over the side to save weight all the time hoping catch the boat behind with a snag; Rob of RES trying to jump and leave the boat then jumping into open hatches. Who in their right minds wants to be a skipper?
Written by Pat
(Editors note: Hey, forget the skippers, what about us fwd hands??)
So to the race with the normal Div 1 combatant’s keen to test themselves again wind and foe. The start saw the four boats all gathering at the rowing club end of the line with LOEG being harassed by AOE who got the jump on the fleet with SF & Resurgent trying to stay clean and clear. AOE were in it for the sprint win (first to Searles on the first work of the day). That leg to Searles was intense, with that pesky AOE tacking and out pointing the other 3 boats, leading all the way up to Gladesville Bridge with the 2 Adams going tack for tack and Resurgent not far away until SF managed to slip through and lead at the first mark. The mark rounding was a brutal affair with the Div 1 boats arriving at the same time as an unlucky Div 3 boat (A Fine Balance) who was beat up by the LOEG just short of the rounding with the little boat having to do a 360 to avoid being tangled up with AOE and the LOEG. Good smart sailing by all saw no issues evolve and spinnakers where set for the run to 1. LOEG however were not finished with AFB yet, trying that old favourite of tossing a spinnaker bag over the side of the boat hoping to tangle the keel or rudder of AFB to remind them who they were dealing with. AFB managed to avoid the obstacle, but unfortunately for LOEG, were unable to retrieve the jettisoned bag. The run to 1 saw new fwd hands on SF (Mitch) and AOE (Speedo) recalling bygone years and what a joyful day they had (more on that later on). The sail area and waterline on the two Adams came to assist with gaps being made on Resurgent & AOE on route to 1. Positions stayed reasonably stable with SF rounding 1 first, LOEG 2nd AOE 3rd RES 4th. These remained the same for the rest of the day with never more than a few minutes between the two Adams keeping that rivalry week in and week out enjoyable, remembering the last time they clashed in R2 of spring series 4 secs was the margin in favour of the LOEG. Line honours went to SF, LOEG 2nd, AOE 3rd RES 4th with Resurgent showing a glimpse of exiting speed downwind with more to come I’m sure so watch this space. The handicap result mirrored the finishing order above.
But before I go, let me just remind you of the day our forward hands had: on SF Mitch trying to throw herself off the boat but refusing to let go of the spinnaker pole, then getting peckish and trying to chew the stainless ring off the downhaul from the spinnaker pole; on AOE Speedo had 2 wine glasses and a clip malfunction from the clew of the spinnaker while set; Nuts of the LOEG going back to his old 18ft days throwing bags over the side to save weight all the time hoping catch the boat behind with a snag; Rob of RES trying to jump and leave the boat then jumping into open hatches. Who in their right minds wants to be a skipper?
Written by Pat
(Editors note: Hey, forget the skippers, what about us fwd hands??)
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