Race Report - Saturday 29 March 2025

All photos by Ian Tudball

Autumn Point Score Races 9 and 10

It was a monsoonal morning on Saturday, with some models predicting a strengthening black north-easter and others predicting a continuation of the prevailing morning south-westerly, all depending on exactly when and where the low-pressure cell that had apparently plonked itself directly over the clubhouse decided to move. The race management team followed the Seabreeze model and set an ENE course strategically placed to allow rotation to the left if the forecast freshening occurred. Then, with preparations completed early, the team had plenty of time to savour the gourmet delights expertly created by Paul and Shirley, with the cheery assistance of sous chefs Michelle Power and Elle Kerin-Bourely, while enjoying some quality chat as a smaller-than-usual contingent of weather-undeterred sailors trickled in. 

After the requisite briefing, a small hiccup was encountered as Jazzman's main battery was found to be without charge and the "failsafe" backup, that had been installed to prevent recurrence of a previous infraction by PRO Andrew Cox, refused to deliver the required charge, evidently as a form of delayed retribution. CoCOTD, Ian Tudball, generously offered to provide his cruiser as an alternative start boat. Fortunately, the team had been augmented by Maxim Djura, who had agreed to take up his slot as RIB Reserve for the predicted 20+ knots and was able to ferry Ian off to Elizabeth Bay to collect the Jazzman-substitute. 

Meanwhile, it seemed the Willy Weather model had been right, so the RC team led by COTD Ryan Aldrich set about re-aligning the course to reflect the south-westerly-ish breeze that capriciously flicked about in a 30-degree range. After accommodating the unplanned activity with an interlude under AP, the start boat was in situ, the course was set, and Race 9 was underway in a dying breeze. 

The fleets inched their way around the first triangle in about 35min, before being met by the RC team for a shortened course finish at the bottom mark. Then, despite brief hope as a rain squall brought a short period of breeze, the “N over A” was hoisted, and the fleet returned to shore with no Race 10 recorded.

A big thank you to CoPRO, Chris Tattersall, for excellent advice and teamwork throughout the afternoon, and to the on-water team of Ryan, Ian, and Max who lifted and re-set more than the signed-on-for number of marks. Thanks also to helpful course-setting observations at different times from sailors Mike Dunne, Murray Stone, Hadrian Bourely, and Martin White.

Congratulations to the Autumn Point Score winners of Race 9:
Hadrien Bourely (ILCA 7) and Martin White (ILCA 6)

-Andrew Cox, PRO