In weather you wouldn’t put your cat outside in, the coldest November weekend for 16 years, the usual (but less 2 boats) suspects lined up – us in RGT, SF after a very late exit off their mooring to just make the start, AOE and BT. LOEG is one week away from returning so that’s good, and NL is hopefully back soon. Thankfully the (light) rain stopped just before the start but started again right on the finish. The temperature remained constant all day at shivering.
For the Div1 Spring Series Race 6 (and final in the series) the wind was 10-17knots, SE course, tide going out till 3:15pm.
In weather you wouldn’t put your cat outside in, the coldest November weekend for 16 years, the usual (but less 2 boats) suspects lined up – us in RGT, SF after a very late exit off their mooring to just make the start, AOE and BT. LOEG is one week away from returning so that’s good, and NL is hopefully back soon. Thankfully the (light) rain stopped just before the start but started again right on the finish. The temperature remained constant all day at shivering.
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Saturday had arrived again with the forecast of a nice 8 to 12 kt sea breeze building slightly in the afternoon. Our regular starter Anne was back on deck so normal broadcasting was restored. The vacationers were still nowhere to be seen, which left us with five starters in div 1. Next Light, who is a regular in our twilight series, made a most welcomed appearance.......
The rain had finally arrived on the Friday with all being grateful that the gardens and grass would receive a decent soaking. Saturday’s forecast looked a bit dodgy with a chance of some intermittent showers and the breeze from the south. Saturday also had the Abbottsford 12 Ft sailing squadron hosting the 1st heat of the cherub state titles with an expected fleet of 30 boats buzzing up and down the river.....
With Barry not sailing for 3 weeks we had James fill in his position for the day. With forecast SSE wind and flood tide. Starter for the day Lenny put as on SE course and with our friends on LOEG missing we had 4 boats starting......
It was a nice sunny afternoon for a Long harbour race. We were out late from the mooring as we were missing a crew member, missing our usual pre race cruise, so we headed over to Sydney rowers to say hello to our skipper on the balcony celebrating early her birthday......
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. .... It was a warm sunny Saturday and all were ready for some reasonable winds predicted between 10-20 knots . We waited till 10 minutes prior to start to make a call on the right Headsail for the race ( bit earlier than last week ) and skipper said we need the No 1 headsail. The breeze was lighter than expected only around 10 knots . Anne decides a West course for the day . All boats gathering round the clubhouse for race start .......
For the 3rd race of the six in the series it was Last Tango in Paris crunch time for all boats except AOE who snared the wins in the prior two, as well as the Special Trophies 1st heat – top sailing right there to them. SF were onto it also with a stacked crew of 6 looking more than menacing before the start, whilst AOE casually loitered around with aplomb, Bush Telegraph (BT) came into the frame with obvious serious intent and RSGT despite being short crewed with 3 plotted the required change of fortune....
Having arrived home from sailing with wine in hand for the 3rd week in a row, the wife now believes I stop at the bottle shop on my way home. That was until I crawled from the lounge to get the Panadols, prior to cracking the lid of the wine AOE had won today........
We had had some extreme winds in the week before the race, but the forecast was for a moderate westerly. Looking a bit gusty, we settled on our no. 3 jib and full main. We set out with just two on board, Barry on the helm and myself on the jib. As we headed off across the line into the westerly it suddenly picked up to 25kts or more and we stated to question the wisdom of being out there......
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