Etchells Sailing Class at RQYS

September 26, 2024

Saturday, 14 September 2024

As I Saw It (and remembered it!)

 

After completion of the safety audits for the season, seven Etchells were launched for the maiden race of 140th racing season at RQ.

With Marty unavailable for The Saint, he handed the keys to Scotty with Angie filling in for Sophie while Brad G subbed in for Wicko on Waterloo Too.

With the bar renovations complete the fleet had to identify their new spot for weekly pre race warm up. In true Etchells form, closest to the bar is best.

Out on the race course, the breeze settled in at 12-15 knots from the SE. Race one saw the boat end favoured and the fleet heading out to the left hand corner with a long port beat to the top. It was close at the top mark with Waterloo Too shutting out The Saint at the mark, forcing them to bear away and gybe around for another go, unfortunately fouling Rapscallion in the process who had been holding out Pegasus from 3rd spot. Rapscallion’s evasive manoeuvres allowed Pegasus to round in second while The Saint’s turns put them back with the chasing pack of Bait & Switch, Athena and The Project.

Patto and crew on Waterloo Too lead around the bottom closely followed by Pegasus and Rapscallion. There wasn’t much in it as the leaders closed on the top of the course for the second time. A misjudged port crossing by Waterloo Too on Pegasus saw them drop to 3rd at the rounding once they completed their turns. The Saint rounded 4th with the remainder of the fleet close on their transom.

An early gybe by Rapscallion saw them take the inside line for the final run and draw level with Pegasus. As they gybed around the final gate mark into the finish Pegasus reached across their stern in an attempt to sneak down the inside but the Rappers held them off to take the gun by just a second. Waterloo Too took the final podium position followed by The Saint, Bait & Switch, Athena and The Project.

Race 2 saw similar conditions. The race committee decided to throw in an extra leg for this one meaning a finish at the top. This time The Saint led around the top the first time by 3-4 boat lengths followed by Pegasus, Rapscallion and Waterloo Too. The racing between the top 4 was close but no-one managed to get away. The final bottom mark saw The Saint round the right hand mark several lengths ahead of Pegasus and Rapscallion who were neck and neck as they rounded the left gate. Pegasus picked a couple of good shifts in the middle of the course and got away from Rapscallion and by ¾ of the way up the final beat they had wound in The Saint. Meanwhile Waterloo Too was closing in on Rapscallion.  Pegasus finished ½ dozen lengths ahead of The Saint. Rapscallion held off Waterloo Too crossing just 10 seconds ahead. Anthena had a good race to finish 5th ahead of Bait & Switch and The Project.

Boat of the day goes to Pegasus with their 2 and 1. Thanks to the Athena crew for the après sailing snacks. It was a great day of sailing though having to fully hike every beat on day one is a bit tough on our old bodies!!

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

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