Travelling away to distant destinations is one of the elements I find attractive about owing and sailing a trailer yacht. However if the place you are travelling to is not how you imagined or you don’t properly prepare or the weather is unpleasant the reality can often be different to this imagined yachting paradise.
The last few times Frou Frou sailed in this event , strong winds, big waves and, boat failure last year aligned more to the latter reality and did not align with the imagined sailing in fair winds on Jervis Bay’s sparkling clear water with dolphins surfing the bow wave and whales leaping out of the water in the distance.
Jervis Bay surprised us this year with the conditions more in keeping with the brochure. Although the dolphins only appeared for us during the last quarter of the race and there was an absence of leaping whales.
I did see Kevin Middleton from the Yacht Shop for the second sailing week in a row. Last time was him steering a 16 on Lake Illawarra and this time he was aboard one of the keel yacht on JB. For all you who are concerned for my welfare, I have successfully recovered from the shock.
TY Numbers were down from previous JB Challenge years with only about 10 starters. Port Kembla Sailing Club provided 2 starters, the Porters aboard Out of Exile and, Alan, Ian, Andrew and me aboard Frou Frou.
Race conditions favoured boats like Frou Frou that do better in light to moderate winds and run well square down wind. These conditions permitted Frou Frou to perform close to her handicap and keep up well with the fleet of sports and keel yachts. It also helped having 4 on the rail when the wind got heavier near the end.
All in all a very nice day on the beautiful waters of Jervis Bay and one that, this time at least, measured up to the brochure and our expectations. Thanks must go to JB Yacht Club for their hospitality and to Steve Lymbery and helpers for managing it so well again.
I don’t have any TY report for the PKSC event. For those that competed I hope you had a good day on home waters.
Just a reminder that this coming Saturdays TY event is the postponed Championship number 3. Look forward to seeing you at the club on Saturday.
The end Trev.