Big Boat Race Report

Five boats presented on summer afternoon, with a fresh sou-easterly blowing.

And Peter Collie gave us a start. (Remember flags rule in the starting sequence, and as PRO Peter used the answering pennant to delay until he felt the fleet were all there). The start was just 5 min delayed. The right place to start was at the green pole, but the first leg was a beam reach and the advantage was small. Umbakumba, Chenonceau  and Smitten were all there; one was OCS (Chenonceau) and she went back - and was last to start instead of first. 

Still, she worked her way through the fleet for a strong finish. G-Force started late but fully powered up and was soon amongst the leaders. Umbakumba was the first to the Point Piper mark and threatened to lead all the way, as she did in December. But boat size does count, and with all boats powered to their intrinsic boat speed, the 30 footers (G-Force, Chenonceau and eventually Smitten) all made their moves. 

By the bottom mark, at Sow’n Pigs, G-Force seemed to be making no mistakes in the very fresh winds; Chenonceau had powered into contention for second place, contending with Umbakumba. Smitten and behind her Time & Tide were keeping touch, but T&T’s shorter boat length (23ft) made a tilt for the front of the fleet a real challenge. 

Further, my crew on Sunday was daughter Emily. As a student she crewed for me on dinghies (Herons) in the Club for several seasons and to several nationals. That was thirty years ago, so she had some skills to hone and a different boat to learn her way around. We pushed our way into fourth place at the Shark Island mark, but Smitten powered up and sailed over us without delay. We chased and trimmed and chased, to make our last place respectable.

The conditions were challenging - a sou-easterly full of holes and knocks and lifts. Those who chose bigger headsail valued them in the knocks; those who chose smaller or reefed the main stayed more in control in the gusts. The work from Sow’n Pigs to Shark Island was particularly challenging (it usually is).

But, it was simple, clean, enjoyable racing

Across the line:

G-Force didn’t seem to make a mistake after the late start

Chenonceau didn’t seem to make a mistake after her early start

Umbakumba - led the first two legs; Gerry and Max have her humming

Smitten - found real speed in the last two legs

T&T - aimed to keep in touch with the fleet, and succeeded.

We race next on February

Smitten Attempts to Chase Down G-Force. Photo by Peter Collie