Newsletter 16 December 2024
Report on Heat 1 of the Club Championship, raced in a 14 knot north easterly and confused seas. Yendys led Alruth around the top mark after Britannia withdrew with a structural issue.
SFS Race Report 16 November 2024 Club Championship Heat 1 RACE 6, HEAT 1 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase A scratch start is always a great sight as the fleet lines up in the hope of securing a clear lane. The first heat of the Club Championship was no exception as all the skiffs got away with a good start.
Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase
Photo courtesy of Renata Zanetti
Unfortunately, Britannia was a late withdrawal with a structural issue causing her skipper, David Paget, to signal her retirement from the race as she was leaving the beach.
Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase Yendys was first away on the No 1 NE course, choosing the pin end of the line as she is often inclined to do. The fleet then strung out on the long work up to the Beashel Buoy with the14 knot nor’easter matched by a confused seaway. Neither side of the course seemed to provide an advantage and rounding the top mark, Yendys led Alruth by 2 minutes with Australia a further 2 minutes behind. Alruth looked a treat after her time out of the water and was sailing well under her snug rig. The rest of the fleet was in predictable order led by Top Weight, Tangalooma and Mistake.
With the breeze increasing a little, spinnakers were set for the run down to Shark Island. On this run, with plenty of east in the breeze, it pays to keep well away from the lee to the south of Steele Point. Heading for the lighthouse instead and enjoying the challenge of a tighter shy run to the rounding mark is usually the best call. Not all of the skiffs chose this option and the fleet closed up by the gybe mark. Yendys had increased her lead and now led by over 3 minutes from Alruth, Australia and Top Weight.
Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase
Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase/Renata Zanetti
Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase
At the Clark Island mark it was Yendys leading from Alruth, Australia, Top Weight and Tangalooma with Mistake bringing up the rear. The shorter work up to Chowder Bay and the run to Shark and then to the finish did not change the order. Alruth kept up her good form in the race and increased her lead over the following fleet to finish 7 minutes behind Yendys and 5 minutes ahead of the 3rd placed Australia. Top Weight was a further 40 seconds behind Australia with Tangalooma showing excellent form to finish just over a minute behind the consistent Top Weight. Mistake had trailed the fleet all race but is showing signs that its new crew can survive a tough nor’easter and look forward to improved performances as the season progresses.
Yendys crossing the finish line. Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase
Back at the Squaddy, as unrigging was underway in the park, the start boat entertained the crowd on the wharf when her mooring pile collapsed and in the confusion, she ran over some old mooring lines with a wrap around the prop. A call for assistance resulted in new Club Captain, Eloise Clarke, utilising her diving skills to free Killo from the wrap and ease her into a temporary spot. Club Captain comes with a range of responsibilities, but this is probably a new one. Well done Eloise.
Photo from Barley Stewart from the safety of the clubhouse deck!
Thanks to all our volunteers without whom we could not get out there every week! See you next week.
Is this the first female fore’d hand on the historics?? Legend sailor Anna at the front of the boat on Australia. Photo with courtesy of Barley Stewart.
Winner on handicap, Tangalooma. Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase
Legends. Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase
Photo courtesy of Kirsty Chase