Today’s ten to fifteen knot southerly swung back and forth to the east during the first half of the race and in the end settled to more or less the north east. Add to this thirty or so 16 footers sailing a different course competing in a round of their state titles made for a tricky conditions for racing on the lake.
Thanks to Andy and Peter for managing the extra complexities as duty crew and setting the course for us that attempted to avoid tangling with the 16s as much as possible. It sure made for an interesting port tack to the top mark when the PKSC fleet crossed the 16s coming of the start on a starboard tack. Those bow poles did not look very inviting heading for you.
Jim, Richard, Shaun and Peter aboard Rosstered Off made it past the oncoming 16s on their way up the second work. Jim told me they were very upset looking behind to see Frou Frou, Grey Fox and The Blonde caught up in it and having to manoeuvre around the 16s losing time and distance to the top mark. They obviously did not feel bad enough to stop and wait for us to catch up though.
Rosstered Off just kept on increasing the gap between the rest of the TY fleet crossing the line well ahead of Frou Frou, Grey Fox and The Blonde.
All in all, sharing the lake with lots of quick boats sailing a different course made for a very interesting day on the water.
Pointscore 6 Final Places
Long Course
First Grey Fox with Digger and Leo aboard. Second Rosstered Off with Jim Richard, Shaun and Peter aboard, and third Frou Frou with Rebecca, Alan Peter and Trev aboard.
Short Course
The Blonde first across the line and first on handicap with John and Ray aboard. As finishing times become more consistent and predictable for boats choosing the short course a correction factor will be trialled in order to adjust between the long and short course finishing times so that we include all starters and end up with one lot of places for the Pointscore series.
Just a reminder that next Saturdays scheduled Championship Race 3 has been postponed till the following Saturday 9 November.
For those boats travelling to compete in next Saturdays Jervis Bay Challenge race, round 1 of the traveller’s series, good luck.
The end Trev