Race Results – 4 March 2023
Six skiffs raced Heat 3 of the Autumn Point Score during the MHYC Sydney Harbour Regatta in a light, unsettled easterly. Britannia led away on handicap while Yendys strayed into the Giltinan fleet's start area.
SFS Race Report Sat 4th March 2023 by Bob Chapman, 6 Mar 2023. Race 16 of the 2022-23 Season, the annual MHYC Sydney Harbour Regatta and Heat Three of the Autumn Point Score. We had 6 skiffs on hand to prepare for today’s race, with some crew adjustments required due to J.J. Giltinan Series commitments for this Saturday and next. A warm day in the boat park but not much wind, with a light easterly predicted to develop as the day progressed. Most skiffs decided on big rig. With various fleets competing in the Sydney Harbour Regatta along with start of the Giltinan Series (+ the usual spectators) it could be an interesting day. The race got underway from a handicap start off Kurraba Point on the no.2 East course into a very docile and unsettled breeze from the east, with lots of holes, at the beginning of a modest run-in tide. Britannia was first skiff away off 17 mins, then Tangalooma (16), Australia (12), Alruth and Australia IV (9), and Yendys off scratch. The skiffs encountered some challenging conditions as they made their way upwind to Shark Island in a very wafty breeze, with some heading to the middle of the harbour, others towards the northern shore on the left side. Yendys found themselves stuck on a long port tack that took them into the start area off Clark Island for the Giltinan Series, the only white sails amongst that fleet, and with 2 minutes to go for their first general recall of the day.
Yendys mingling with the modern 18s.
Courtesy SailMedia.
After a long and slow beat, Australia was first to round Shark Island for the square run back to Kurraba followed by Alruth, Tangalooma, Australia IV, Britannia and Yendys. Some skiffs set spinnakers initially on a port pole to then gybe over and setup for a starboard hand run down to the mark. Alruth had a bit of a moment after gybing their spinnaker that required some un-scheduled housekeeping to eventually get back into race mode, while Australia stretched their lead down the first run, with the breeze filling-in a bit from the ENE.
Alruth having a moment early on the first run.
Courtesy SailMedia.
Australia was first to round at Kurraba for the tight lead to Clark Island with a handy lead from Australia IV and Alruth, then Tangalooma, with Yendys and Britannia turning at the mark together. Australia continued to hold a good lead at Clark Island for the beat up to Shark Island with the following skiffs now grouped together. It even appeared at this stage of the race that the breeze may have settled-in for the day, but then again, maybe not?
Australia leads the way down the first run.
Courtesy Adrienne Jackson.
The breeze up the final beat initially seemed to be steady but then proved to be somewhat erratic and patchy, and very frustrating for crews as they struggled to keep their skiffs moving. Australia held a course towards the middle of the harbour while the other skiffs looked for different options. Unfortunately, Australia sailed into a no-wind zone with plenty of joggle while Australia IV was able to keep moving and sail into the lead, with Yendys working up the Point Piper shore to pick up some breeze from Rose Bay and make up some ground. Australia IV was first to round Shark Island for the final run back to Kurraba, followed closely by Yendys, then Australia, Tangalooma, Alruth and Britannia. Australia IV set a port pole spinnaker while Yendys reached away on port from the mark before gybing over to set a starboard pole spinnaker. By the time Australia IV had gybed their spinnaker Yendys had crossed their stern and taken the lead. Australia IV then set a ringtail and with the benefit of a bigger spinnaker closed-up on Yendys. The lead skiffs enjoyed a close tussle down the run with Australia IV moving into the lead to take the gun from Yendys with a 2 min gap back to Australia, then Alruth, Tangalooma and Britannia.
Last run tussle between Yendys and Australia IV.
Courtesy Adrienne Jackson.
Australia IV moves into the lead at the finish.
Courtesy Adrienne Jackson.
With thanks to our on-water support team of Barley, Wendy, Stewart, Bob, Chuck and Tomoko; and Coral on the B-B-Q. We look forward to seeing you down at the Squaddie next week.
Results for Sat 4th March 2023. Race 16
Skiff Australia IV Yendys Australia Alruth Tangalooma Britannia The Mistake Top Weight Scot Aberdare Myra Too
Skiff Aberdare Alruth Australia Australia IV Britannia Myra Too Scot Tangalooma The Mistake Top Weight Yendys
04-Mar-23
Skipper T. Stewart G. Wakefield M. Flanagan A. Robertson N. Turbit D. Paget
Season Point Score 0 39 33 65 42 0 18 47 52 1 58
Race Hcap 0:09 0:00 0:12 0:09 0:16 0:17 0:00 0:11 0:15 0:14 0:07
Autumn Point Score 0 8 10 12 6 0 0 5 12 0 14
Hcp Start
East Course
East
5-10 kts
Start Time 14:21:00 14:30:00 14:18:00 14:21:00 14:14:00 14:13:00 DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC
Finish Time 16:37:18 16:37:26 16:39:39 16:40:43 16:42:22 17:06:20
Race Time 2:16:18 2:07:26 2:21:39 2:19:43 2:28:22 2:53:20
H'cap Time 2:07:18 2:07:26 2:09:39 2:10:43 2:12:22 2:36:20
Ringtail Point Score 0 1 0 9 10 0 0 0 5 0 5
F/Time Point Score 0 32 34 61 33 0 16 40 62 1 76
-----------------------------
New Hcap 8 0 13 10 17 18 0 11 15 14 7
Ring tail 2