Finally, a Saturday arrived when the weather Gods decided to be kind to us. Sunny skies, 15 – 20kts from the South and maybe a little cool for November, but after the weather we have had over the past month we were in no position to be picky.
It was once again entertaining to see John and Tanya keeping competitors on their toes with a new event called “Flag Bingo”. When the Flying Fifteen flag went up first there were a lot of crews searching for that old tattered piece of laminated paper with class flags. You know the one, last time we used it for a beermat or stuffed it behind the stove to stop it rattling. It must down be there somewhere! We all waited in anticipation to see whose flag would be up next but wait a minute - No Flag ! What does all this mean ! Then after a short delay to draw the next flag out of Retriever’s lucky dip, the Div. 1 flag was flying, and we were surely back to comfortable sequence. Div. 1s got away cleanly, although there were a couple of crews that had a practice start with the Flying Fifteens. In a last-minute plot twist Div. 2 & 3 were combined. Flag Bingo is mentally exhausting!
The race saw the fleet heading to E buoy on the first leg in a freshening breeze. Those boats that flew spinnakers on the leg from D buoy to the Start mark were rewarded with a great reach and fast sailing. The beat back to E buoy saw upwind boats crossing boats sailing downwind which can be a little hair raising when looking into the sun you miss read what tack the other boat is on. Thanks who ever you were for keeping clear. We didn’t quite catch your comments, but I am certain they were politely referring us to review our knowledge of the rules and the gestures possibly directing us to the correct sub-clause.
It was great to be out on the water again and also to welcome Seduction back to the race course after wintering up North. I am sure after a scrub she will be back to her competitive best.
Line Honors
Division 1 : Apache
Division 2 : YT2
Division 3 : Tub Thumper
Handicap Results
Division 1
- Apache: Michael Daddo
- Morticia : McDonald, Kurz & Alexander
- Easy Rider: Reece James
Division 2
- YT2 : Stuart Gooley
- Buccaneer: L. Otto & S. Colquhoun
- Jesminc : Geoff Hancock
Division 3
- Tub Thumper: G. Heard & A. Creed
- Dark Side of the Moon : Steve Bolton
- Beau Brummell: Tonia & Graeme Vertigan
Div 3- Class Captain