Archive for February 2017

Wet and grey conditions ensured only the hardiest souls ventured out to contest Autumn Race 3. Course 35 added a few challenges with varying wind conditions around the course.

 

Sincere thanks to Aaron and Josh who have stepped in to effectively manage the start and finish duties over the last two weeks in the absence of the regular crew who will be back next week. Starts will resume from Pegasus.

 

 

In Blue Division 1 Irukandji made a brilliant start and established a commanding lead early.  Foxy and Blue Chip (pictured), Forte Forever and Eggshells were tenacious in bridging the gap which narrowed throughout the course of the race. At the finish Irukandji were back ahead of Foxy and Forte. On handicap Foxy pipped Irukandji (pictured below) with Eggshells third.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Green Division 2 Hasta La Vista said bye bye to the remainder of the fleet leaving them in pursuit for the entire journey. Umzimkulu, Joka, Paca and Speedwell kept close and Gwhizz made every effort to catch Hasta.  At the end Hasta from Gwhizz and Clovelly Pacific.  Tana was lost momentarily in the computer.  On handicap Hasta La Vista, Umzimkulu and Joka were well deserved winners and place getters.

Start from the deck and Course 45. The uncertain prediction of late storms didn’t deter the fleet. With a new start group to replace the ‘normal’ crew and the addition of Harvey’s dulcet tones there was no possibility of getting the timing wrong. It was much appreciated, as was Harvey’s attempt to replace the BOM at the end of the race with a rain arrival time –which proved pretty accurate.

The Mirror fleet from Hunters Hill Sailing club made for a colourful sight on the water and a hazard to navigation

In Blue Division a slow start through Humbug saw Blue Chip establish a commanding lead over the Etchells. They provided a master class in spinnaker handling in the tricky variable conditions to be ahead at the finish. The Etchells group kept close all finishing within a minute. Eggshells grabbed the lead through the computer with Chloe third.

In Green Division the wind at the start resulted in a mixed bag of good and bad fortune as yachts attempted to reach and then pass Onions point. Gwhizz and Flair perhaps had the best exit.  As the race progressed Gwhizz, Umzimkulu, Peachy Teats Velocity (Pictured, courtesy of the James Kearney Twilight collection – see the link above) and Paca had a close tilt for the lead. Speedwell caught up after a slow start to be up with the leaders. Umzimkulu recorded a well-deserved win both on the water and on handicap with Gwhizz back ahead of Speedwell. Minor handicap placings to Paca and Flair.

Please note: Autumn Race 3 will also be a Clubhouse start.

Twilight Fleet Photos  – on 18 January 2017 photos of the fleet were taken by member James Kearney. To view click here.
If you would like a copy of any of the photos they are available for download free of charge. High Resolution images are available upon request, please contact James Kearney at jkearney@selbornechambers.com.au

Heat wave conditions and conflicting wind predictions resulted in selecting a short course (3) for all divisions. The wind avoided what was predicted by either method and resulted in a good NNE breeze which progressively dropped as the day progressed.

 

Coupled with the wind there was a large outgoing tide. The pontoon at the club and the ramp were reversed at the top of the tide (pictured).

 

In Blue Division the final result is provisional and may depend on the outcome of a protest.  On the water Flashback then Irukandji and Monkey Business while on handicap Monkey Business, Hasta La Vista and then Tana.

 

In White Division the fleet was reminiscent of the golden age of GFS Etchells with 4 the only contestants in the race. On the water and handicap results were the same with Forte Forever ahead of Eggshells and then Chloe. Foxy made a good effort without setting a kite on the long run home from Shark Island

 

In Red Umzimkulu II led the fleet establishing a good margin with Joka making every effort possible to catch up. Paca sailed consistently to be back next. On handicap Umzimkulu from Joka and Flair.

Please be aware of the heat wave conditions predicted to continue for Sydney with temperatures approaching 40 degrees.

Ensure that there is plenty of fresh water on board your yacht.

Avoid dehydration, use and re-apply sunscreen and wear a hat.

Again a delayed start and a short course 13A due to the uncertainty of the various wind predictions linked to the GFS website. The 10 minute delay proved beneficial as the start saw yachts heading for Goat in a nice breeze. However, the rounding at Goat proved tricky for some in the fickle breeze in the shelter of the island.

 

In Blue Division 1 Irukandji powered away to lead the fleet and finish ahead of Blue Chip and Chloe. Jester was rewarded for a good sail being first on handicap ahead of Blue Chip and Chloe.

 

In Green Division 2 the fleet made a good start until the Goat doldrums came in to play which allowed some yachts to escape and others to park for several minutes. Peach Teats Velocity (pictured) established a good lead to finish ahead of Gwhizz and Hasta La Vista. Handicap results to Paca from Hasta and Flaira.

 

Although we are not sailing for sheep stations it was good to see a yacht exonerate by completing a ‘two turns’ penalty after an on water incident. This was much appreciated and would have avoided any possible protest action.

Australian Sailing has announced the 2017 Australian Sailing Youth Team, who will represent their country at the 2017 Youth Sailing World Championship.

Included  in the team for the Boy’s skiff (29er) are Henry Larking and Miles Davey (representing Woollahra Sailing Club, NSW).

See previous post success-for-an-ex-gfs-sabot-sailor

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