T’was the race before Christmas and all through the clubhouse there was nary a whisper, just riotous shouts. Yes it seemed very busy before the race today, with lots of people exchanging best wishes and helping each other rig boats, and kids scooting past on scooters and playing games with each other. Makes you feel good to be a part of it. The bonus from all this activity was that boats and crews of all sizes and experience rocked up for the start of the famous PKSC pre-Santa around the lake race. The TYs included Jay Kay III, The Vibe, Tranquillity, Momentum, Out Of Exile, Grey Fox and Rosstered Off, all joining in with the spirit of the event. We aboard Frou Frou must offer our apologies for forgetting to wear appropriate head gear, which, no doubt cost us the race.
How wonderful to see Andrew Curry, lovely wife and kids aboard The Vibe. It made the day special to see families out sailing together. And weren’t conditions just right? Not too windy, not too hot and just tricky enough to make it interesting for all aboard, I hope.
Although it may seem fairly obvious to lots of you with kids, but for me at least, one of the best, and probably the most important, parts of today’s race was the opportunity to take on extra crew. Frou Frou was lucky enough to adopt Crista and Elana for the day. They, along with Josh, added the youth that made our day so successful and fun. Thanks to their parents for letting the juniors sail with us.
The start was very exciting with a larger than usual fleet of TYs and dinghies lining up to start together. It must have looked great for Hugh and Kurt aboard the starter’s boat. The bigger boats, Out Of Exile, Rostered Off and Momentum took off with Tranquillity in hot pursuit. Frou Frou only caught glimpses of them way off in the distance for the rest of the race.
The shifty variable breeze and zigzag course across the lake to Oak Flats and back provided an extra challenge for skippers and their crew. Behind us it looked as though Jay Kay III (with John, Helen and Scott aboard) Grey Fox and The Vibe were having a tight tussle lasting all the way to the finish line.
Did I mention that the special H.S.H.S (holiday season handicap system) applied to this race? It has some similarities to the double demerit points system for driving offences in place during holiday times. Some people may feel that it is completely arbitrary, but I would argue there is much science behind it.
Anyway, in first “Deck the halls” place was The Vibe. In first “Rudolf the red nose reindeer” place was Tranquillity. In first “We three kings” place was Momentum. In first “Santa Claus is coming to town” place was Rosstered Off. In first “Jingle bells” place was Jay Kay III. In first “Silent night” place was Out of Exile. In first “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” place was Grey Fox and in first “Six white boomers” place was Frou Frou. Pretty fair result all round I think.
Just before I finish off I have a request. I know it’s a big ask but if anyone has a spare digital video camera they would consider letting us use aboard the starters boat Frou Frou for the Taipan Nationals, 7 to 14 January please contact me on my mobile 0439 304 387. It would be very much appreciated. There will be many more boats participating than I had anticipated. Videoing will certainly make finishing much easier and more accurate.
Finally, good wishes to all PKSC members competing in Nationals over during the Christmas and New Year’s break.
Look forward to meeting you all again for our first race next year.
The End Trev.