Apollo Bay Sailing Club

Tell Tales

15th January 2018

The Heland brothers on duty in a challenging race to be run with heavy weather predictions.

Last Saturday again posed a challenging forecast and the competitors gathered with nervous anticipation to await the race plans from the Heland “race cancellation” brothers. After considering another cancellation, due to rain (or possibly some overly enthusiastic wind), they decided to set a shorter course to ensure the race was completed if deteriorating conditions arrived.

An interesting start saw the keel boats away with the exception of Wild Rose who was forced, fairly, wide of the start line and had to circle around and start on an opposing tack. 10+1 nailed the start but appeared to sail into unfavorable conditions early, whereas, Boheme tacked towards shore (and their adoring fans on the beach) to gained a nice lead on the first leg.

The dinghy class got away cleanly until a bewildering tactic by Miss Molly to tack directly towards an opponent forcing them into “collision avoidance manouvere” which left them no option but to fall in behind. Despite this execution (or attempt at intimidation perhaps?) the decision ended up being a good one, seeing Molly head off early to the starboard side of the course to establish a lead.

But that lead was fiercely challenged by April Dancer, Affrodite and Ffantome in an enthralling and very tightly contested flying fifteen class. It was noted that Geraldine (Dancer’s crew) had participated last week in the pacer training at the club and with the way she sailed a few of us were left wondering what the hell they had served for morning tea! Maybe a few of the other crews will need to look into that training next year?  

All this was watched on by our fearless Commodore who oversaw her rivals from the “grandest” of all grandstand seats aboard 10+1.

The conditions freshened in the second leg and challenged the fleet which saw 2 wise retirements. It was probably during this phase that It’s Magic found her stride and was seen to make ground on Boheme. But Its Magic had given them too much head start it seems.

Overall, an exciting day’s sailing in about 22 knts of wind. Matched only by the vibrancy of the club house chatter, before heavy rain set in.

Our Handicap winners of the race, Geraldine and Bruce from April Dancer

Heat 3  Summer Series

Heat 10 Café 153 Club Championships.

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Apollo Bay & District Community Bank, Great Ocean Road Trading Post, Waterfront Motor Inn, Café 153, The Fishing Co op, Surf-n-Fish, J&C Marriner Earthworks

Life is good. Come Sailing!

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