Saturday Racing Update November 2nd 2019

6/11/2019

Saturday Racing Update November 2nd 2019

I am writing this update feeling my age. Part of me is secretly wishing everyone else that raced back from Williamstown on Saturday is feeling the same. Every muscle in my body is seemingly rebelling against the sailing activities on the weekend. I’m not entirely clear if it was the 7 hours bashing into waves getting the boat to Williamstown on Friday or the fast racing home to Mornington involving lots of spinnaker work, where we sailed on our limit a lot of the time. That said I am happy that I only feel like I have done 10 rounds with Jeff Horn, while Tim Dixon actually looked like he had done 10 rounds with Jeff Horn. Sometimes we forget how physical and dangerous sailing can be.

A fleet of 19 boats were at the start line for the annual Williamstown to Mornington race which has such a long and rich history both on and off the water. Royal Yacht Club of Victoria once again made the Mornington boats welcome and there was some enjoyable socialising at the club before and after dinner.

Unfortunately, the weather forecast of light winds and rain may have discouraged some of the RYCV boats as the MYC fleet made up 13 of the 19 starters. As usual the BOM were about 50% accurate with the forecast. The light winds didn’t eventuate, but the rain certainly did. A favourable wind angle saw all boats quickly hoist spinnakers after the start for a rainy beam reach to R2 and then a rainy run down to the spoil ground with boats setting a fast pace in 15 knots of wind. There were several entertaining gybes and broaches, one of particular note was Tub Thumper where their spinnaker ended up flying above their mast whilst simultaneously burying the foredeck under water. We were amazed that they were able to recover so quickly and continue racing. I understand from the Rear Commodore that a number of the larger boats had a fun time with kites just before the finish line also. Special mention also to the Vice Commodore who has clearly taken out a commercial fishing licence using his spinnaker as a deep-sea fishing net. I understand the catch was disappointing.

A tight reach home from the spoil ground eventually moved astern and spinnakers were up again in a freshening breeze (and rain). The conditions saw near record race times with Javelin taking just over 2 ½ hours to finish the course. All boats arrived home safely with crews looking a little like drowned rats, but with big smiles as the sailing was outstanding. Well done to MYC with overall line honours and wins under every handicap system going to Javelin and her crew. There were also some great performances on handicap by the smaller MYC Div. 3 boats Mixed Nuts and Tub Thumper finishing 2nd and 3rd overall behind Javelin on PHS and Windsong 2nd and YT2 3rd on AMS once again behind Javelin.