The first race of the season, 9 September often creates a degree of trepidation. For most of us remembering how to rig up and where people and the ropes go is a fading memory from a sailing season past. Light winds on the day helped to ease us in to what will no doubt be another great year of sailing.
Saturday of 16 September was a totally different kettle of fish. Predictions were for big winds from the south west so the race was cancelled. Just on queue at the 2:00 pm start time the Southerly change arrived with winds over 25 knots and a drop in temperature to 13 degrees.
A similar unpredictable wind pattern confronted the Club Captain this Saturday 23 September. The predicted moderate to strong West to North Westerly winds settled in to a building North Easterly, so the call was made to start a race. That was a good call as the breeze held to around 20 knots, peaking around 25 knots by the end of the race with all starters finishing safely.
Sadly though there will be someone and something missing from our sailing season this year. Digger Harmer and Grey Fox. Digger has been a dedicated and reliable participant in our Saturday races for longer than most of us would like to recall. From a personal point of view Digger taught me a lot about the true meaning of sportsmanship in sailing. Although competitive until the end winning was not Diggers primary objective. To be active, engaged and doing your best on the day was his mantra and his reason for continued participation in the sport of sailing. His recent death has left a big gap in our trailer yacht ranks. Digger and his family enriched the lives of anyone lucky enough to know them.
Results for the last 3 weeks of sailing
9 September Pointscore 1
Place Yacht Name PBH in minutes (CBH)
First Rosstered Off 85.08 (82.61)
Second Serenity 86.30 (88.83)
Third Froufrou 86.90 (86.83)
16 September Pointscore 2 Race Abandoned
23 September Championship 1
Place Yacht Name CBH in minutes (PBH)
First Rosstered Off 84.72 (87.62)
Second Hailstorm 86.18 (86.17)
Third Froufrou 87.95 (87.95)
Forth Serenity 90.48 (88.02)
Fifth Whitewash 94.85 (96.22)
Important Events
We have a couple of important events coming up soon the TY Championships this coming long weekend and the Kembla Klassic 25 – 26 November.
The TY Championships, supported by Australian Sailing is on 30 September and 1 October. Planning for the event is well under way with the notice of race and sailing instruction posted on the PKSC website. We do need additional help for the protest committee, two the start boat/sailing committee and to assist with registration and race results.
The Kembla Klassic is on again 25 – 26 November and I will be relying on all of you again to assist with making this event a success.