As I saw (and remembered) it – Saturday 29th November

By Kevin Molen

Usually after a regatta our numbers are a bit light and this week was no exception. The forecast storms didn’t help matters. With an approaching storm line, the RC hoisted the postponement early with only 2 boats in the water before the flag went up. So, it was an adjournment to the bar to wait and see.

We had a bit of light rain and slight increase in wind but none of the fury that the BOM had been warning about earlier on. As the weather went through the RC announced the AP would come down at 1pm. There was much debate as to whether the fleet would go with a split between yes and no. The Yes’s prevailed so off we went. Jake graciously lent Happy Hour to Dave S and with Dane back we had 6 starters.

In the 10kt NWer and incoming tide it took a while for us to all get out there, so the RC held back our start to ensure we were all there.  The first start saw the fleet fighting for the boat end. Happy Hour shut out NGHAM who had to circle round starting late on the boat and immediately taking off. Rapscallion started to leeward of the fleet mid line and took a number of sterns in their effort to get right. Waterloo Too on the advice of Will’s magic glasses which told them the tide was going out headed off to the left – don’t believe everything on the internet Will!!

At the top NGHAM who had hit the RH corner had a 4-5 length lead at the top. W2 rounded in 2^nd just a couple of lengths ahead of Rapscallion. Right on their tail was Happy Hour with a few lengths further back to Athen and Aspen.

On the run Rapscallion drew along side W2 and took the LH gate while Patto took the right.

With Brad protecting the right had side upwind there was no catching them. W2 and the Rappers came together near the top with Patto forced to tack to leeward. By the time they met a few minutes later at the mark W2 had gained a length to round just ahead in 2^nd. Happy Hour was hanging in there to be just 3-4 lengths behind Rapscallion.   

With Brad gone and taking the first bullet of the day it was between the next 3 to fight it out for the minor places. An early gybe on Rapscallion saw them soak down inside W2 to cross for 2^nd with Happy Hour following W2 by 3-4 lengths for 4^th. Athena held off Aspen for 5^th.

For race 2 the breeze was up to 12-15, still from the NW. Once again it was a battle for the boat end. This time Brad got control and shut out Rapscallion who started 20 sec behind the rest. As they crossed the line they tacked off onto port with NGHAM going with them. Once again NGHAM controlled the right and was first to the top. In a mirror image of race 1 W2 rounded 3-4 lengths behind with Rapscallion and Happy Hour on their transom. Athena was ahead of Aspen by a handy 6-7 lengths.

On the run Rapscallion once again managed to soak down inside W2 and they rounded the bottom LH gate side by side with the Rappers having the inside.

With Brad uncatchable and extending as W2 and Rapscallion focused on each other for the final beat. Patto tacked onto starboard once they were near the corner but the Rappers wouldn’t give them anything and immediately tacked to place them under a tight cover all the way up the starboard beat. At the top Rapscallion rounded with a handy 3-4 length lead.

On the final leg NGHAM had a comfortable run in the building breeze to take their second gun of the day. W2 managed to close the gap on Rapscallion slightly by mid run but with Rapscallion on the inside for the final gybe into the finish they didn’t leave any opportunity for W2 and finished several lengths ahead in 2^nd with the remaining results as per race 1.

Boat of the day to NGHAM again!!!!!!!!

Now it’s come to light that several boats sailed ‘dry’ this week with one skipper not even telling the crew. Dane – just because you are on a diet the crew shouldn’t have to suffer! This is against the spirit of the fleet and won’t be tolerated in future.

(This author accepts no responsibilities for any inaccuracies, distortions of the truth or outright lies.)