Big boat Race Report from 26 October 2014
Guest User
Jonathan reports......
This race was finally sailed on October 26, after the long weekend and an abortive start on October 12.
Five boats presented. We rigged for a predicted 10knot sou-easterly, and were hit with 15-25 knots. We were all over-powered upwind.
The first three legs, to Point Piper, Taylor's Bay and Sow'n Pigs were downwind, and the racing was close and fun. Corinna led around the Point Piper mark, Rockhopper around Taylor's Bay. At Taylor's Bay you could have thrown a blanket over the first four boats, and the racing was close.
The work to Shark Island was tough; the wind came in bullets and we all struggled to go be fast in the lulls and in control in the puffs. We clambered to the top mark as best we could, and eased away for a fast reach home.
Rockhopper crossed first, and Umbakumba surged past Corinna close to the line. T&T and Capricorn followed some minutes behind.
Memorable moments included 4 boats, all goose-winged on a dead run and converging on the Taylor's Bay mark, learning to trust each other to 'round in seaman-like manner'; and - off Shark Island - holding course as the 18's zoomed through us; ferries and spectator boats and ......
Over the line:
Rockhopper (welcome back Mike)
Umbakumba
Corinna
Time & Tide
Capricorn.
A good day's racing.
J