Race 2 - Floatilla or Race?
06 May 2012 | Sydney Harbour
Doug
10 of 11 the confirmed attended for a light day in the Sun.
Pre-Race: Saturday Captain John Smith (his mother really wasn't creative with picking names) of Sailing Vessel "Circe" decided to come by at the dock and have words about us rounding the wrong marker the previous week. He was convinced that he was robbed of his fair placing in Race 1....3rd to Nemesis by 10 min.
Guillermo studied the Race Course A for Division K (same course this week) and there is no way we went around the wrong buoy. Either way the LC and LC2 marker could not be greater than 2 min apart. So we might need to set him (and his wife?) straight.
The attendance was duly noted and positions set with the all-star line up of:
Aga - Cyc rep
Bruce - Special appearance
Chris - keeping the streets safe (DPP)
Dan - fashioning a new pair of sunglasses and a Cyc race bag
Guille - Keeping the dream alive for Lance Armstrong having completed a 10km cycle to get to the yacht club
Hai-Yen - The bruises on the legs are not domestic violence Chris. I promise.
Luke - supplying the best deals on Diesel jeans this week
Ollie - MROCP training required
Tris - Putting up with a sail change for a race that we didn't even finish
Myself
The weather was according to Luke "Ace" Watson, blowing white caps in the morning in Rose Bay. He came over prepared with jacket and fleece for a re-make of last week's challenges. King Neptune decided to change the wind from South to Westerly before the race start. The blow gradually dropped and became a little warmer than cool and not stronger than a puff.
The number 2 head-sail (jib) was hoisted and it became very obvious that it needed to be replaced by the number 1 (big berther). Thanks Tris.
Once everything was set, all positions were assumed and crew cohesion was at a high. The race was another time staggered start and we got our timing perfect. The committee boat end of the line was the favoured side and we got close and crossed within seconds. We picked the right side of Clark Island as the wind started to peeter out. Guillermo got caught on an override again but has promised to have the 2 wraps sorted and rope knife now stowed below deck.
The Clarke Island buoy became elusive as the wind direction began to swing 40-50 degrees, altering the lay-line on every tack. The down-wind leg was looking extremely slow and all surrounding boats (not under motor) were nearly motionless. Aga jumped at the suggestion by stand-in Cap that maybe we should crack out the drinks. Wine and beer hit the deck in record time.
After a review of the course, the 1 knot boat speed and the lack of any wind we decided to pull the pin. Motoring back to the Cyca we passed the far trailing S/V Circe, Mr Smith appeared to be happy to see our withdrawal and was determined to finish today race to ensure his victory over Nemesis.
They clocked out a record time of 03 hours 27min, finishing at 3pm (last in the fleet). It must have been tough on his crew for the gruelling hours of wondering if the Committee boat might still be waiting for their finish on the shortened course.
Thought of the week: Work Less, Sail More