Large Cat News

15 April, 2010 : Wind NE 5-8 knots, and a fair bit of weed in places, nice and sunny.

Laurie cleared the start in front and on time, then concentrated on boat speed.

Ralf was moving nicely on one hull and with good speed, making up some ground at times. Les needed more wind, but it was not there, but he did not give up, as he searched for any advantages.

Robby and Jonathon were under powered all race.

We sailed 5 sausages then home. Laurie won from Ralf by 3 mins, then a further 2 mins behind came Les, then finally Robby and Jonathon 6 mins later.

12 february, 2010 : Race Report for 6/2/10, ht18 pointscore.Wind southerly, 15-20 knots.A few small sticks and weed patches littered the lake.

The waves came thru in sets, washing the legs off the side of the boat occasionally. We sailed 4 windward and returns and I was counting them off eagerly in the demanding conditions. Unfortunately Ralf broke a bridle on the “Dark Horse”, soon after the start and returned to the stables for a rub down.

Laurie and Les were left to fight it out in a closely fought tussle for the next 60 minutes. The strong wind , really tells, on your physical condition. It was difficult to get settled in the blustery wind, especially with the national champ only meters behind. Laurie held onto a narrow lead until the last down hill leg, where Les speared both hulls towards the crabs, then followed by a solute to the seagulls with his sterns. No wonder he got the snorkel award last season!

Laurie powered off to a well earned first place, followed by Les, only 2 minutes behind, who was spitting mullet from his gullet.

I was in bed at 8 pm, Les made plans to go to the basketball. Ralf probably went to the gym for a work out. Another great race, well serviced by the rescue boat crew.

4 february, 2010 : race story for 30/01/10, ht 17 pointscore. S/E wind 5-10 knots

3 Taipan 4.9’s and F18 of Tim Makepeace and crew raced. Les Porter and Bill Ledger were on duty.

Robbie Porter sailed cat rigged using Les’s old 333 blue Goodall and showed very good form throughout the race.

Ralf galloped around, pushing Laurie, then requested a longer course to maximise enjoyment in the lighter conditions.

We sailed two triangles after 2 sausages, and Laurie fought hard to keep the F18 honest to the finish. Les took many photo’s and we are looking forward to viewing them.

22 January, 2010 : Well the nor’easter filled in well and truly by race start time, and Hue had a grin on his dial

Bobby set out to show the new national champ a thing or two. The new national champ was not going to be embarrassed on his home ground.

Laurie had the heavies up top and the downhaul on max. Robbie and Jonathon hugged anxiously as they were blown around the course. The Dark Horse knew his fitness would pay off towards the end.

Soon after the gun old KOOKA,, with the traveller out 3”,had the Porter trio searching for reserves. A few bottoms were kicked for several more legs ,until they ambushed the Kooka. Dark Horse wasn’t more than a furlong behind at any time, with his fetlocks kicking rrrss.

On the way to X, Bobby said ‘Gee Whiz’ I’m leading, Les said I’m swimming, and the water is Freezen, Laurie said ‘now I’m Kookin, Jonathon gave Robbie the ‘Bullet”, and Ralf was whipping the Dark Horse with his remaining fitness.

All slept well that night except for Les who awoke screaming HELP, HELP,HELP. Please some one save me!

17 December, 2009 :

Last Saturday 4 Taipan cats, and 1 Taipan sloop raced in near perfect conditions for Lake Illawarrra. I found this race very exciting throughout, because we were all close for most of the race. The wind strength and waves were easily manageable, so it was a search for full power for the whole race. Some of the mark roundings were completed within inches of surrounding boats.

Bob Porter recently back from a spell, raced very efficiently, without mistake, and appeared to be doing it easily out there in front. Meanwhile Les Porter and Laurie Hinchcliff tussled for 2nd and 3rd for most of the race. Ralf was always there ready to capitalise on any mistakes made by those slightly in front.

Rob and Jonathon Porter revelled in the conditions, carving the works up at increased speed, by footing off slightly in their sloop rigged “Bullet”. They could have done with more wind , so they reckon, but they were certainly puffing a bit, as it was. A bit of bull, I think.

Finally Bob Porter won, by 1.5 mins from Les, then came Laurie, Rob and Jonathon, then the retired Ralf. Another great day in paradise.

I have been in contact with Santa and he wishes all large cat sailors and their families a safe and happy Xmas. He wishes the following sailors good luck in the national Taipan Cat titles being held at Paynesville in the Victorian Lakes District, Ralf Steyer, Les Porter and Laurie Hinchcliff. The titles are scheduled to run from December 28th to Jan 3rd.

11 December, 2009 : Race report for Ht 12 pointscore,5/12/09

4 Taipan 4.9 cats raced in 8-10 knots from N.E. We had 2 short races, to practice our starting, and to keep us closer together on the course so accurate comparisons were easier. Les Porter and Laurie Hinchcliff were testing their new Steven Brewin sails, while Ralf Steyer and Will Kuit were racing their normal sails.

The first start saw the start boat drifting away from its position, making the port end of the line more favoured. Les started on port at the port end and snuck through cleverly.

Throughout this race all skippers tried their hands at picking the favoured side of the works and downwind legs. Laurie developed a handy lead from Les, then followed Ralf and then Will.

After 2 windward and returns, we re assembled for start of race two. Will opened the gate start, and the rest of us set off on starboard tack for another 3 sausages, then to X, and finish. Les sailed the best in this race and looked unbeatable on the run to X. Laurie dialled up a private zephyr, on his run to X, catching right up to Les at X. From X to finish line ,Laurie picked the best way to go, while Les suffered from bad wind closer to the shore line .Ralf also had a good go at beating Les but was not quite quick enough. Will enjoyed the closer racing picking up hints along each leg.

A nice medium strength wind enjoyed by all.

24 October, 2009 : Championship Ht 2 - Point score 6.
Another perfect day in paradise.
Wind was easterly at about. 8-10 knots, and variable, with a few bald spots. A fairly small course, with a short start line, with slight port bias. Bobby Porter got off to a speedy well timed start, followed by Ralf, and Laurie. Ralf suffered early as he got familiar with the track, while Bobby covered Laurie up the first work, to lead around the windward mark. Conditions were smooth as we all searched for wind down the off wind legs. The raced progressed with positions close. On the second triangle, the “Dark Horse” selected the outside running and carried wind all the way, going from third to first on this leg as Bobby and Laurie searched elsewhere for a puff. With the race now 75% over it was time for the Kooka to get laughing, as he weaved his way up the next work to take the lead from Ralf and the ”Gee Whiz kid. Kooka maintained his concentration, as the horse galloped close on his tail on the long run to “X’. At the finish it was Kooka, by 20 seconds to Ralf, then 3 mins back to ‘Gee Whiz Bobby”. Perfect conditions for some, but not quite strong enough for others.