Why am I always surprised when the weather turns out different to what is forecast? Perhaps it’s because I am basically a trusting person and want to believe what I am told. Saturday’s weather continued this trend with “Weatherzone” and “Windfinder” predicting 5 to 9 knots from the North East and a chance of rain, but, 15 plus knots From the North with rain and lightning was what we got. The morning felt a lot quieter without the junior sailor numbers energy. Even so there was a very good roll up for today’s TY Championship 7 and Pointscore 22 event.
Thanks to Wayne and Rob for setting a great course and for watching out for us during our time on the water.
We had 5 TY starters for today’s event, Bluhart with Arthur and Frank aboard, Grey Fox with Digger and Andrew aboard, Momentum with Barry, Ray and Phil aboard, Rosstered Off with Jim, Richard, Shaun and Dave aboard and Frou Frou with Rebecca, Alan and me aboard.
The actual verses predicted wind strength did prompt a flurry of pre start sail changes. Grey Fox elected to put in a reef, Rosstered Off and Momentum selected smaller headsails and Frou Frou sticking with her No. 2 headsail.
In a mixed fleet like we have, the start is one of the best and most exciting parts of the race. It’s when we are all manoeuvring in relatively close quarters for at least the first 5 to 10 minutes and where tactics and positioning are often of importance to the race outcome. If you are on one of the smaller boats it’s important to position yourself clear of the bigger boats as they will usually sail over the top of you, and, if you are one of the bigger boats you want to stay clear of the smaller boats that can slow you up and dictate your course.
Rosstered Off rounded the top mark first ahead of Momentum, Frou Frou, Grey Fox and Bluhart and that’s how it stayed for the remainder of the race. Apart from the fluctuating wind and dumping rain triggering more sail changes for crew during the race positions did not change. In the latter part of the race Rosstered Off increased her lead due in part by slick sail changes and good crew work, while Frou Frou lost ground changing to a smaller headsail and Grey Fox lost ground shaking out her reefed main and Bluhart lost her headsail leading to a late retirement.
Final placing’s for Championship 7
Place Boat Name Corrected time (minutes)
First Rosstered Off 71.50
Second Momentum 74.20
Third Frou Frou 74.70
Forth Grey Fox 86.84
Fifth Bluhart DNF
Coming events
There are only 2 more official PKSC races before the end of the season. I am hoping that you are able to turn up and make them good ones.
The St Georges Basin Classic 12 April. From previous reports this will be an enjoyable event.
Presentation Night 10 May 2014.
We will need your help to set up on Friday evening and to serve behind the bar on Saturday night. Please let me know of your availability.