Sailing Club

Tell Tales

I think I could make this week’s report very short and sweet: April Dancer and Euffamism started on port from the pin. AD crossed (Euffa didn’t) 10+1 and Boheme who started on Stbd from the right. And the Dancers never looked back.

That would be correct but might be a bit unfair to a few people. Like Kelly and Paul (Skifflebeat), who did a fantastic job setting the course, running the race and generally making sure all the sailors had a lovely day out on the water. Thanks to their briefing, which was described by one of the sailors as “the best course drawing on the blackboard I have ever seen”. It looks like the bar has been set pretty high for the rest of the duty crews this year!

And getting the course just right was going to prove a little tricky, with the wind starting in the east at 7am and going through about 180° before eventually settling (relatively speaking) back at about 170-180°.

They had a short (800mtr) upwind, port, 3 triangle course in mind, and that is exactly what they delivered.

Now back to that start again. AD and Euffa felt the wind had swung a little east of the 200° top mark so set off on port. As already stated, AD was quick enough to cross and put themselves in a strong starting position, but Euffamism took the long way round the back of the two 40 footers, straight into the windless wasteland left behind.

Proceed to the top mark and it was another close cross by Bruce and Geraldine (AD) on 10+1 and Boheme which really sealed the deal on their first place and from here they basically had clear air to step out to a 5-and-a-half-minute win.

10+1 (carrying a fair swag of crew, but strangely enough not suffering too much because of it) had a very productive first upwind and just had their nose out front of Boho down the first reach. And with the first reach being too shy for a spinnaker the two fifteens were left to use them on each of the second reaches.

With the race out front settled, the action between the three other boats behind was proving interesting, as the reaches produced entertaining, close quarter sailing. And, more than a little conversational cut and thrust between the three boats as they jostled to steal wind, block overtaking lanes and shout “advice”.

The 10ers did a great job, keeping the Bohemians in their place (behind) all day. Euffa shot themselves in the foot, one toe at a time.

In the end we were all very appreciative to be on the water, with a better-than-expected breeze. And to top it all off there was a live stream from Helena G, as Ba (Granddad Paul) talked to little Aumra, allowing him to watch the finish. He was especially impressed by the hooter and excited when his Granddad went off to “rescue” the buoys!

Results

Life is good. Come Sailing!

To find out more please see our Facebook group - Apollo Bay Sailing Club.