With the fleet of PRSC lining up for the start. Division 3 have starters for the day being, Xena, FireFly and a great welcome back to Sandy and his team on Wind Falls. Barry from Farrago is Farraway bringing home his new baby, lets hope we are all invited to the house warming!!!!!!
Zina wins the start and leads the fleet on course 6 round the Islands.
Mean while we in Division 1 contemplate the course and what is required from the boat, rig, and crew.
On board the mighty AOE today we are joined by the barrel chested Michael, from Still Festering. Michaels weight and hands will prove the difference between between men and boys today. Welcome aboard Brother Mick, it is great to have another team player on board.
At the start Van Demon gained the pin position at Sydney Rowers, with AOE on the outside and LOEG out in the middle of the river, with Black Magic bring up the rear. As we play the game to Abbotsford Point AOE rounds as clear leaders but sail into an unwelcome hole. We sit impatiently as VD, and LOEG, sail down the middle of the river in fresh breeze.
Chasing the fleet we look for every lift the breeze has to offer, and after a lot of hard work we pass VD at the Gladesville Bridge.
Once we get to Wright Point, and head to Snapper Island, I put my hands In to the ice box to cool off, as Michael takes control of the sheets, and to our surprise as we round Snapper Island, those chasing remain behind behind us. Including Black Magic. Which is fitted with one of those Big genoa things just like LOEG is sailing with, which is today controlled by George, son Of Willo, who is a youthful force to be reckoned with.
So far so good, its been a close race, and as we turn the wharf of Cockatoo, the skipper calls for big Blue and Micheals eyes water. With some minor issues we get the big bastard flying, and when a gybe is called, all is effected with precise movement and Michael is sent below foe a cool beer for the team.
As we settle down for the long run we expect the larger rigs of both VD and Black Magic to creep up on us, but just In front of us at Wrights Point we see our brothers on LOEG, get smashed by a huge gust. They round up, it is such a shame when you see this happen to your friends.
But better them than you we say!
It is about this time Van Deamon leave us in their wake and LOEG have cleared out and will have to drop a mast for us to catch her. We don't give up on Van Demon though and we begin the chase.
As we approach the penultimate mark behind Van Demon, the skipper calls for more performance, from both crew and boat. We consider the rig and adjust accordingly, and work hard out of Hen and Chicken Bay, to take Abbotsford point with a great "Starboard" call where we had to bear away to avoid a nasty touch.
Working to mark 5 we had swapped the spinnaker and repacked it for the final run home. Amid all the chaos.
Many thanks too Michael for being part of AOE today, for without you we would not have taken home the red.
God help us next week, we need someone to assist on the way home from Clarke Island does any one want to assist.
Congratulations to Sandy skipper of Wind Falls for winning the Division 3.
Division 1 scratch positions were LOEG, AOE, VD & BV
Cheers Scribe AOE