Off The Beach News
Well blow me down Gang, quite literally! What a difference from last week to this week. From a nice sunny day with 8 to 10 knots and flat-water last week, to a grey, squally mess with 15 to over 20 knots and some waves that Mick Fanning would think twice about. This week was a complete turnaround. Which one was better/more fun sailing? That's a question only you can answer, although I reckon, I can guess which way Di J would lean. It was a pretty gutsy effort to even rig up, but to sail out, tip in before the start, climb back in and complete race one and most of race two showed the great tenacity that we know Di for. I wonder if she felt like asking Wayne J and Glenn L if she could jump over to the Quest as they went past with their extra 150 or so extra kilos keeping them flat. Maybe grab the tiller for old times' sake- please?!
The rest of the fleet weren't having a particularly easy time of it either, with the Laser gang unanimously saying that three laps was a bit much on a day like that. Greg L and James E in the sole Tasar were absolutely in their element, as was Katrina M in her Sabre. Always a strong wind specialist, she was right up near the front for both races, just behind Rick P and James T, who claimed 1,2 then 2,1 respectively. Great work guys.
Ross M and Bill M in the Impulses really felt that extra sail area, with Ross having a swim and Bill opting for a granny tack at one of the gybes. Keith managed to hold it upright this week, but at least last week he waited until he was over the line before tipping in, unlike moi, who got all around both races, battling monster waves, screaming reaches and runs, surfing like the afore mentioned M Fanning - only to fall in 50 metres from the finish-Doh! And let Keith slip past- Doh, Doh!!
Although I didn't see him, I heard Luke M was out there belting along on his Moth, having a great time flying over waves, crashing full bore into said waves, and generally showing some exceptional skill in a boat not really made for those conditions. The apple didn't fall far from that tree for sure.
Race two done and not even I was sad when we didn't get a third race! But the fun wasn't over yet, we still had to get back to the beach, and that seemed a loooong way. Most people jumped out in deep water to avoid coming to grief on the shore, Bill even had pod of dolphins escorting him home. With plenty of willing hands, every one made it back up to the yard to pack up and collapse in an exhausted heap with no casualties and plenty of tales of derring do at the bar. Yes, it was wild, but what a great day everyone had. If you weren't there, well, you know, STBY!
Thanks, heaps to the race team of Geoff, Super D, Doc T, Paul M, Joe V and James A who all did an awesome job, pulling up anchors in those conditions ain't easy. Paul, Joe and James were all last minute ring ins as well to fill gaps that appeared in the roster. Perhaps if you aren't intending to sail, or decide on the day not to, you could put up your hand to swap out and let someone else sail. Doc is a ripper for this, he often rings mid-week to offer his services on a rhib and it's greatly appreciated.
Now for something completely different. Good luck to Stu Scott and Ewan Campbell over in NZ for the A Class Cat Worlds. Stu said He is hoping for a podium finish in the Foilers but not sure with such a strong international fleet. Ewan said He expects to bring home the silverware in the Classics, and if they don't let him, he's going to poison all their grapevines!
Keep an eye on their progress via the usual channels and perhaps stock up on some Marlborough Sav Blanc too.
Next week is an on water start for the keelboats and the Race Crew is RO Glenn L, Asst Super D on Start, Grace L and Luke Marcasani on Woodsy and Simon H and an as yet un-named volunteer from KB Summer Breeze in Sutherland. Meeting at the boat dock about 11.00.
That's more than enough for this week, see you on Sunday. Cheers, Pete Chippy.
