
Sometimes there’s nothing like a fresh pair of eyes to re-interpret what we all take for granted and make us see things differently.
Last Saturday we took a friend of mine for her first sail ever. I thought it would be a good day to take her out as it was a trophy race around fixed marks with a tower light start. The weather was cool and cloudy, but we had a fairly constant 15+ knots of wind. There was plenty of wind at the start as the 8 boats jockeyed for position in the combined start. There was lots of talk as usual, keeping an eye out for boats and discussing our start tactics. As the countdown progressed through each stage 5;4;1;Go!
We were off to E buoy in a fresh wind. We tacked away to get clear air soon after the start and the fleet was split between those inshore and those that stayed out. We worked our way upwind crossing paths with other boats, calling for rights and giving way. We had a relatively good windward leg and then eased sheets for the reach out to D buoy. After rounding D buoy we headed for the S mark and hoisted our large kite in 15+ knots of wind and built up a fair amount of speed on the reach. After a hoisting the headsail and a usually well-managed kite drop, we headed for C bouy and then home to the finish.
To all of us this seems like a fairly average Saturday out sailing, but to our novice sailor it was nothing short of sensory overload!
How do you guys manoeuvre the boats so closely at the start?
How do you know where to go?
How exhilarating was the ride when we put up that colored sail?
How come we didn’t tip over?
How beautiful is the coastline? The harbour is stunning ,etc., etc., etc.
My point this week is that we sometimes forget what a great sport sailing is, the skills we all share and what a privilege it is to sail at Mornington.
Results
Line Honours
- Windsong – Jim Watson
Handicap Results
- 1st Windsong – Jim Watson
- 2nd Mixed Nuts – Tim & Lisa O’Grady
- 3rd Tub Thumper – A. Creed & G.Heard
STOP PRESS
Well done to all MYC Trailables competing in the Marlay Point race this weekend. Some notable results included:
- Pipalini - 1st place division C.
- Endless Advice – 6th place division C
- Zip – 2nd place division D
- Foam Fast – 3rd place division D
Tim O'Grady, Div 3 Class Captain