Wet and somewhat wild would be a good description of conditions for today’s race. Three TY’s, “The Blonde” with John and Ray aboard, “Grey Fox” with Digger and Leo aboard and “Frou Frou” with Ian Peter and me aboard were keen enough to head out.
Conditions were also challenging for Richard and Shaun aboard the duty boat. With the wind shifted around from south the east to south and back to east during the many rain squalls prior to the start (and continuing after the start) It must have made setting the good course they eventually did very difficult.
From my viewpoint it was one of those in between wind strength days. Not quite heavy enough for the number 3 headsail but not light enough for the number 2, with the rain squalls added more variability to wind direction and strength as they came through.
Grey Fox was on fire today. We (Frou Frou that is) could not make any distance on them especially up wind, or, even downwind under spinnaker. We did shake them off on the final triangle only to find out that Digger and Leo had dropped sails to render assistance to one of the catamaran sailors in difficulty righting and reboarding their capsized craft. Times have been duly adjusted to compensate Grey Fox for her important and justifiable rescue activity.
The conditions sounded like they were to The Blondes liking. While we were struggling at times around the course The Blonde was making her unfussed and under control passage to finishing first over the line by about 4 minutes.
Pointscore 9, Final Results
First on corrected time: Grey Fox
Second on corrected time: The Blonde (adjusted for completion of short course)
Third on corrected time: Frou Frou
The end Trev