Momentum and Frou Frou turned up for today’s race, fresh after the Christmas New Years break. What we lacked in numbers today we made up for in enthusiasm with more crew turning up than crew spaces available. It was particularly nice to see new people interested in giving sailing at our club a go. I do hope we can keep this interest and regular participation up.
Aboard Momentum were Barry, Ray, Phil, Richard Lech and new crew Lillian. Aboard Frou Frou were Andy and our 2 new crew Liam and Kirralee.
Just because there were only 2 starters in the TY division today did not mean that we took things easily. The competition was hot and we had an exciting close start with Momentum climbing over the top of Frou Frou to take the advantage up the first work and rounding the top mark well ahead of Frou Frou.
Like most sailing days aboard Frou Frou, and most other boats I have been on at lease, we decide on who will do what as a team.
The tacticians’ role fell to Kirralee, which by the way she performed with great diligence. Standing in the companionway hatch she has a commanding view of the course and fleet. Kirralee offered very important encouragements aimed at improving our performance and position in the fleet. Things like, “Are we first yet” (interpreted by me as we are doing ok but could do better) and, “Why are those boats catching us and why are there boats still ahead of us” (interpreted by me as, we need to concentrate more if we are going to catch up) and, “This race is taking longer than I expected, are we there yet” (interpreted by me as, we need to improve our crew work if we are to make fewer mistakes if we are to finish before the end of 2016). Don’t you think it’s good having fearless crew aboard who pull no punches in giving thoughtful advice?
Just as Kirralee made her mark as the tactician Liam proved invaluable in the cockpit. He trimming the jib and hoisting the spinnaker like a professional and by the end of the race he was tacking and jibing and steering on the reaches and downwind like someone with years of experience. Liam even helped to rescue Andy who had unfortunately slipped over the side during a spinnaker pole retrieval manoeuvre. I must admit that for an old bloke Andy sure can hang on. In Andy’s defence, the front of the boat is not his usual familiar position aboard.
Liam told me he had experience on motor boats, but this was the first time on a yacht for him and Kirralee. Even so they both took to a sailing like it was second nature and really earned their keep as crew during the race. For Andy and me the kids made today’s race fun.
Talking to Barry in the rigging area after the race, we both agreed it was a great sailing day and that everyone aboard both boats enjoyed the experience. With any luck there will be more days like this to come in the second half of the season.
Results for Pointscore 11
Boat Name Position Corrected time PBH (CBH)
Frou Frou First 92.77 (92.77)
Momentum Second 94.09 (94.13)
Sussex Inlet and St Georges Basin Sailing Club Regatta
I made an error with the date of the Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin Regatta in the sailing calendar. The date should be the weekend of 6 and 7 February. My apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused. It’s one regatta we don’t want to miss.
Next Saturdays race is Championship 5 and Pointscore 12 for TYs. I hope you are all able to join us for what should be a good race.
The end Trev