Race report 17 December 2022
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Our PRO and and Vice Commodore, Rod Barnes reports:
As PRO on the day, I must apologise for possibly, slightly, and sarcastically, misrepresenting on-course conditions (editor’s comment: not to mention the on-course refreshments!) in the briefing.
When we laid the course, there was blue sky, a consistent breeze of around 15 knots, water temperature sitting at about 25 degrees and palm trees lapping at the water’s edge on Clarke Island. Not quite sure what happened between the briefing and the start, but conditions changed dramatically.
We were forced to run the racing in Rushcutters Bay due the World Match Racing championships being held on our usual course in Double Bay - a special thanks to the CYCA for letting us know in advance!
As the Jazzman positioned itself on the start line there was barely a laser in sight at 1.50pm. The slightly reluctant fleet soon arrived and the management team of Rod Barnes and John Verco on the Jazzman, Kim Ketelbey and Rob Blum on the Paul Adam and Jason Wilkins and David Devlin on the Dean Bergman got racing underway after a few mark adjustments.
It was a great test of boat management in the gusty shifty southerly conditions which exceeded 25 knots at times. It was also interesting to hear from sailors how patchy the wind was and that they preferred conditions in Double Bay. Maybe it had something to do with Christmas, but it was great to see so many smiles on faces.
Being the last race of the calendar year, it was also the final heats of the Spring Point score.
Winners on the day were Steve London and Geoff Kirk in the Standards and Pat Levy and Andrew Cox in the Radials.
The winner of the Spring Point score in the standard rig was Steve London followed by Geoff Kirk and Nick Pellow.
The Radials was won by Murray Stone, closely followed by Pat Levy and Charlie Byford.
It was great to see so many 4.7’s racing throughout the spring series. Kevin Cai won the point score followed by Tilly Rowles and Charlotte Gosling.
Congratulations to all winners! Enjoy the break and we will see you in the new year.
Many thanks to Jules Hall and Jason Wilkins with Paul and Shirley in the canteen.
A special shout out also to all of the sailors who represented Sail Sydney over the weekend. Results can be viewed here.
Racing resume with sprint races on Saturday 7 January 2023. The club’s calendar can be subscribed to here (strongly recommended).
There will be no newsletter between now and then.