Race Report - 23rd April 2024

Record numbers of wooly hats reflected chilly and challenging conditions, exacerbated by the ever interesting Northerlies fluctuating around the harbour and challenging sailors for the second Tuesday race of the 2024 season.

Z48’s crew and Liz set the start line between Sipristi and a laid mark (LM), with a simple windward/leeward x3.

At the gun, a healthy competition developed amongst the fleet to control the committee boat end, with tide flooding into the harbour, pushing boats upwind. A clear lane and the ability to control the fleet through the first few tacks would surely pay dividends and allow crews to navigate the washing machine that is so often the SS corner!

74, 78, 79, 77 headed left with 75 (who started slightly lower), 54, 75 and 70 went right earlier.

Towards the top, most of the fleet had opted for the “top right” of the beat - except 79 who went further towards the wall. By the windward mark, 74, 79 and 75 rounded in quick succession, with 54, 78, 77 and 70 just behind.

Rhumb line vs great circle was the downwind challenge - 75 got their noses inside 79 but couldn’t make it count, with 78 sailing a lower course than the rest.

By the leeward, positions were unchanged, 54 catching the leading pack and claiming a good exit into the final upwind - getting the inside lane between 75 and the finish.

Shifty conditions off the wall with plenty of over the shoulder looks meant that bows were pointing at most areas of the compass. Finishing positions: 74, 79, 75, 54, 78, 77, 70.

Thank you committee and thank you to Scam & Max for letting me play with your new toy! 75 felt like a Ferrari, although I missed the sound of the automatic bilge and the sweet smell of varnish! (Ps I didn’t prang it so all in all a nice, albeit chilly, race!)

Joppers

Z75 (for tonight!)