Race Results – 11 March 2023
Six skiffs sailed Heat 4 of the Autumn Point Score in a freshening north easterly, with the Queen Mary 2 anchored in Athol as a backdrop. Britannia led around the Beashel Buoy from Tangalooma.
SFS Race Report Sat 11th March 2023 by Bob Chapman, 13 Mar 2023. Race 17 of the 2022-23 Season and Heat Four of the Autumn Point Score. We had 6 skiffs on hand for today’s race with clear skies and the prospect of a good nor’easter, expected to freshen later in the afternoon. Whilst the breeze early in the afternoon was light to moderate, all skiffs rigged for the expected fresh conditions for the later part of the race. Once again, with such ideal weather and the concluding days of the J J Giltinan Series it was anticipated there would be plenty of on-water activity to deal with. In addition, the cruise liner Queen Mary II was anchored in Athol, well away from the course area for this breeze, to provide an imposing backdrop for the day’s proceedings. The race got underway from a handicap start off Double Bay on the no.1 NE course into a moderate NE breeze and run-out tide. Plenty of other race activity in this section of the harbour with the Etchells, Lasers and Modern 18s out in force for their respective events. Britannia was first skiff away off 18 mins, then Tangalooma (17), Australia (13), Alruth (10), Australia IV (8), and Yendys off scratch. The breeze was still settling-in as the skiffs negotiated a bumpy seaway on the upwind leg to the Beashel Buoy, with the northern shore the favoured option if only to sail in flatter water. Britannia was first to round the Beashel Buoy with a good lead for the square run to Shark Island followed by Tangalooma, Alruth, Australia, Australia IV and Yendys. No sign of the modern 18 fleet at this stage, assume they had a general recall, so the H18s had a clear run. Britannia was first to round at Shark Island for the run to Clark Island, with no change in places. The breeze had settled in at this stage with the skiffs now suitably rigged, and the lead skiffs enjoying a straightforward run down to the bottom mark (with the modern 18s mark located nearby).
Australia rounds the bottom mark just ahead of the leading moderns.
Courtesy SailMedia.
Britannia was first to round at Clark Island for the beat up to Chowder Bay followed by Tangalooma, Alruth, Australia, Australia IV and Yendys. The first three skiffs had a clear rounding and were well on their way upwind by the time the modern 18s arrived for their bottom mark rounding. Fortunately, not too many issues for the following skiffs, Australia, Australia IV and Yendys, at their mark rounding, but it was a busy section of water.
Historic and Modern skiffs converge to their respective bottom marks.
Courtesy SailMedia.
Plenty of breeze and on-water traffic for the beat up to Chowder where Britannia rounded first with a comfortable lead for the reach across to Shark Island, followed by Alruth, Tangalooma, Yendys, Australia and Australia IV.
Historic and Modern skiffs converge off Chowder Bay.
Courtesy SailMedia.
Britannia was first to round at Shark Island for the final run, to then go on and score an all the way win, their first of the season, 1 min ahead of Alruth, then Tangalooma, Yendys, Australia IV and Australia. Plenty of breeze for the sail back to Careening cove, well done all skippers and crews. With thanks to our on-water support team of Barley, Bob, Chuck, Jamie and Sam; and Ross on the BB-Q. We look forward to seeing you down at the Squaddie next week. Just 2 more races till the season concludes.
Results for Sat 11th March 2023. Race 17
Skiff Britannia Alruth Tangalooma Yendys Australia IV Australia The Mistake Top Weight Scot Aberdare Myra Too
Skiff Aberdare Alruth Australia Australia IV Britannia Myra Too Scot Tangalooma The Mistake Top Weight Yendys
11-Mar-23
Skipper I. Smith A. Robertson J. Lewis I. McCrossin T. Stewart M. Flanagan
Season Point Score 0 44 35 67 48 0 18 51 52 1 61
Race Hcap 0:18 0:10 0:17 0:00 0:08 0:13 0:00 0:11 0:15 0:14 0:07
Autumn Point Score 0 13 12 14 12 0 0 9 12 0 17
Hcp Start
NE Course
NE
14-18 kts
Start Time 14:12:00 14:20:00 14:13:00 14:30:00 14:22:00 14:17:00 DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC
Finish Time 15:57:18 15:58:30 16:00:01 16:01:50 16:05:42 16:06:39
Race Time 1:45:18 1:38:30 1:47:01 1:31:50 1:43:42 1:49:39
H'cap Time 1:27:18 1:28:30 1:30:01 1:31:50 1:35:42 1:36:39
Ringtail Point Score 0 1 0 11 12 0 0 0 5 0 5
F/Time Point Score 0 37 36 65 36 0 16 42 62 1 82
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New Hcap 16 9 17 0 8 13 0 11 15 14 7
Ring tail 2