Apollo Bay Sailing Club

Tell Tales

5th February 2018

Our active little Club can be broken into 4 distinct groups when it comes to our activities on the water. We have our blossoming Optimist Fleet where our juniors find their sea legs. Finlay, Jamie and Morgan head our dinghy division. Our Classic Flying Fifteen fleet of 10 boats and of course our cruising division where the vessels length varies dramatically.

Saturday would see us break with normal format of all boats sailing around the same triangular course with the inaugural running of the Mark 1 Classic Flying 15 trophy. Sponsored by Top Mark Bookkeeping (Suzanne Goodison). The conundrum then, what to do with those lumbering cruisers, that always seem to be in the way or stealing your wind. A plot was hatched to clear the course. The cruisers were easily convinced that there was a virtual mark laid in the sea somewhere off Browns Creek. The Duty boat team of Lids and Shotty would send them on their way at the standard time, when they would make their way north rounding the virtual mark and returning to the finish line. Once the floating caravans were on their way the duty boat team were able to start the proper business of the day, that would see racing in its ‘purest’ form. There would be no motors or electronics, no fridges downstairs, no cushions nor canvas awnings to protect from the wind and spray.

The Flying Fifteens are all the same, there would be no hiding behind the handicapper. Of great importance too, this racing would allow woman and man to compete on an equal footing. A planning 20ft “keelboat” the Flying 15 was designed 70 years ago yet still retains the cool factor, readily turning heads. We have what we believe is the largest racing Classic 15 fleet in the Southern hemisphere, possibly the world (even the Galaxy?).

Three thrilling races were held ranging from 30 to 40 minutes. Race one set the tone for the day going down to the wire with only one second separating Ziff (Lisa and Geeks) andFfantome (Morgan and Kelly) after 40 minutes of racing. The Women were leading the charge leaving the blokes scratching their heads. Affrodite (Tim and Chris) were only 10 seconds astern with Wal (Russell and Andrew) a close 4th, April Dancer (Bruce and Geraldine) got their spinnaker fouled and were not able to drop it. For the rest of the day it resembled a 15ft polish salami strapped to the mast! Unfortunately, they were handicapped by this for the rest of the day. Race two, Ffantome led from start to finish, Affrodite 2nd,Ziff 3rd, Miss Molly (Bourney and Anton). Race 3 had the battle of the lady skippers continue with Ziff claiming victory by just 4 seconds over Ffantome with Miss Mollysaving their best till last with a result of 3rd place and Affrodite 4th. Dougy and Rish, newbies to the Flying Fifteen click scored a very credible 7th, 5th and 5th.

Progressive scores with 1 more day to sail:
Ffantome 5
Ziff 5
Affrodite 9
Miss Molly 11
Euphemism 17
April Dancer 18 
Wal 18.

And what of the cruising armada and the virtual mark? I hear you ask. The virtual mark may well go down in folklore with the Mahogany Ship and Benito’s Treasure. With some swearing they rounded it while others were less convincing in their theories as to its whereabouts.

The cruising theme continues on Sunday with the tiny hamlet of Wye River being abuzz as 5 of our yachts dropped anchor at lunchtime. The photos on Facebook could well have graced the cover of Cruising Monthly magazine. Some lunching on their boat while others made the trip to the pub for lunch. Thanks to the Wye Surf Club volunteers in their ducky. A great day had by all.

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!

To find out more see our website or our Facebook group - Apollo Bay Sailing Club