As I saw (and remembered) it – Saturday 7 February by David Smith

There was some crew shuffling this weekend for the Club Championship races. NGHAM took Waterloo Too’s bowman, Will, down to the NSW State Championships so Patto junior was roped in. Kev also had to head back to New Zealand so super-sub Al Cowan stepped onto Rapscallion. Hired gun, Peter Milliken, helmed The Project in Gary’s absence and Sophie was back in the fleet on Athena after doing her placement up at Harvey Bay.

After a couple of solid left shifts and a short postponement, the Race Committee got the six‑boat fleet away for the first of two races in a shifty, 10 to 12 knot, ENE breeze. Waterloo Too absolutely nailed the pin‑end start and immediately punched out by a few lengths. They rounded the top mark first, followed by The Saint, Knot Easy, and the rest close behind.

The breeze was swinging 10–15 degrees at times, so staying in phase was the game. The second beat turned into classic snakes‑and‑ladders Etchells racing.

At the final top mark, Waterloo Too still led, from The Saint and Knot Easy who were right on their transom. All three gybed straight the top and ran in single file until halfway down, when The Saint peeled off into a vein of pressure, giving up the inside at the gate. Knot Easy moved over and attacked Waterloo Too that allowed the Saint to sail around the outside to take the win. Waterloo Too fended off Knot Easy by a single second for second place and they were followed by Rapscallion, The Project, and Athena. That hull polishing must be paying off for The Saint and the whole fleet finished within 45 seconds.

Race two began in a touch more pressure with The Project and Athena heading to the left, and Waterloo Too, who started at the boat, flopping onto port and heading to the right. When the fleet converged at the top, it was Waterloo Too leading again, followed by Athena, The Project, and then… well, the rest. At the bottom of the first run, The Saint (Dave) dropped the pole in the water and rounded dead last. Up the second beat, they got into phase to close up to the others who were doing a bit of match racing.

By the final top mark, Waterloo Too was off by a country mile, followed by Athena, The Saint, The Project, Rapscallion, and Knot Easy. Most gybed at the top, but The Project extended on starboard. Rapscallion blanketed Athena (and Knot Easy????) down the left, forcing all them to gybe. That opened the door allowing The Saint to slide down with clear air.

At the bottom, The Project was coming in hard from right and at one point Chris said they had The Saint. Alas, they were on the outside and had to settle for a well-earned third. Rapscallion and Athena were fighting hard but Rapscallion got to the inside and eventually getting them by a couple of seconds with Knot Easy bringing up the rear.

Boat of the Day goes to Waterloo Too on a count back — a well‑earned nod.

It was noticeably quieter on the racecourse this week. Oh! …and a big shout‑out to NGHAM for a cracking result at the NSW State Championships in Gosford: 8th Overall, 1st Corinthian, and 3rd Grand Masters. Outstanding work representing our fleet and showing the outboard sheeters can still hang in there.

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