Sailing Club

Tell Tales

Friday

For the final official session our young sailors were once again blessed with sensationally gentle and consistent southeast last week. With a focus on boat control and smooth direction changes participants did a sterling job of gliding around on the lovely clear, smooth water in gentle autumnal sunshine.

The step up was obvious to those who’d missed a few sessions. It is such a delight to see the stoke young people / all people gain from learning to harmonise with the wind and water via a sailboat.

Saturday

As the old saying goes, it’s not the quantity but the quality that matters. This Saturday saw just three Flying Fifteens taking to the water but they still managed to produce exiting racing, with all competitors managing a podium spot.

The sailing conditions were excellent. It was blowing a steady but gentle 8 knot North-Easterly breeze, with little swell. Above, the sky was blue with clear – a perfect autumn day in Apollo Bay.

The start line was laid not far from the harbour entrance with the top mark facing directly towards the Cape Patton, mightily projecting on the horizon. The race director perfectly judged the course layout and length allowing all the boats to complete the full course right on the hour – a triangle, sausage and two triangles.

Black Pearl was in the lead from the get-go and, to spare you the suspense, crossed the finish line first, but she had to fight tooth and nail to the finish line. April Dancer in particular proved to be a nuisance, so often almost catching the Black Pearl only for Black Pearl to find a puff of extra breeze, a lift or pull of current and get away again. The elastic band kept on stretching and shortening throughout and it never broke, with only fifty seconds separating the two across the finish line.

Meanwhile, Ziff challenged early on with great valour, but not being able to fly the spinnaker hurt their chances as they fell back during downwind legs and were never able to recover from there. Nevertheless, they still managed a respectable finish and, as results showed, the spinnaker could have had them in the winning position.

Special mention to Hans and Jacinta for stepping in to crew in Black Pearl and Ziff respectively. To go sailing is nice enough but to be sailboat racing is certainly a more intense and challenging undertaking, especially if the boat is unfamiliar. The gentle conditions made it all so pleasant and manageable for everyone. Even so we appreciate your involvement, skills and active participation a whole lot.

After sailing, results from a different competition were being discussed over a couple of drinks. At the Apollo Bay Show, some of the sailors who didn’t win on the water were boasting about ribbons from their show entries.

Results

Life is good. Come Sailing!

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

New Members Always Welcome!

Many thanks to Bendigo Bank for their support of Learn to Sail at ABSC.