Isn’t it amazing how rusty you get (or should I say I get) between sailing seasons? Simple things like remembering the smoothest way to get the spinnaker up and down and to remind crew to duck during jibes. You need time and practice to getting reacquainted with the boat and crew, to get the teamwork and communication component running seamlessly so everyone can anticipate what is going to happen and what needs to be done next. Frou Frou’s damaged and now repaired centreboard also needs a little fine tuning to make it go up and down smoothly as well. And it’s remembering to make those many small adjustments that makes a big difference, and can only be improved by getting out and getting wet.
So now let’s cut to the chase. Which boat and crew made the most of the conditions and made the least mistakes to take home the winners prize. First place on CBH was Nirvana 7 with Keith Wilson and his secret weapon Bec Curry aboard, plus some other crew that I do not have names for. A close second was Rosstered Off with Jim, Dave, Richard H, Rich L and Wayne aboard. Third was Frou Frou with Alan and Matt and forth Offshore Account with Dave, Richard L and Mitch aboard. Seems like all the other boats have at least one Richard so maybe Frou Frou should have one too to make us go faster.
Thanks should be extended to Rob and Bob Porter for fine tuning the course to take account of the shifting breeze before the start of the race.
The End Trev.