Race Results – 12 March 2022
Six skiffs contested Race 3 of the Autumn Point Score in a modest east north easterly. Aberdare led around the Beashel Buoy from Britannia and Scot, while Tangalooma missed the start after a late rig change.
SFS Race Report Sat 12th March 2022 by Bob Chapman, 14 March 2022. Race 18 of the 2021-22 Season and Race Three of the Autumn Point Score. We had six skiffs on hand for today’s race and fortunately much drier conditions on the ground and in the sky from previous weeks. Shortage of crew is still an issue, with some crew from non-competing skiffs able to fill-in on competing skiffs. Most skiffs rigged for the expected light to moderate easterly breeze and by launching time it appeared the gradient breeze had filled-in from the ENE. The race got underway from a handicap start off Double Bay on the no.1 NE Course into a modest ENE breeze, small run-in tide and some action nearby with other race start lines in close proximity. Aberdare was first skiff away off 15 mins, then Britannia (13), Scot (12), Australia IV (10) and Yendys off scratch. Tangalooma (12) missed their start due to a late rig change and the vagaries of sailing across the harbour to get to the start but determinedly set about the task of sailing the course.
Scot crossing the start line.
Courtesy Wayne and Michael.
Patchy breeze and moderately bumpy water for the initial section of the first beat as the skiffs worked their way down harbour to the Beashel Buoy. The first beat was mostly sailed on starboard tack with the breeze bending well into the east. Aberdare was first to round the Beashel Buoy for the run to Shark Island followed by Britannia, Scot, Australia IV, Yendys and Tangalooma. The skiffs initially enjoyed a free angle down this run but the wind tightened up in Rose Bay for the final approach to the mark. Meanwhile the fleet of modern 18s was making their way to the same mark. Aberdare was first to round at Shark Island for the square run to Clark Island followed by Australia IV, Britannia, Scot, Yendys and Tangalooma. The fleet closed up but no change in positions for the skiffs down this run providing the makings of a close contest for the second half of the race. In addition the skiffs were now engulfed by the fleet of modern 18s tacking downwind to their bottom mark.
Old tech meets new tech as Australia IV and Teck2 cross on the run to Clark Island. Courtesy of Sail Media.
Aberdare continued to lead at Clark Island for the beat to Chowder Bay, followed by Australia IV, Britannia, Scot, Yendys and Tangalooma, with the breeze well into the east. Just as Australia IV appeared to be moving into the lead, disaster struck when the bobstay fitting on the stem failed resulting in a broken bowsprit. As the skiffs approached the mark at Chowder Britannia moved into the lead to be first to round for the tight reach to Clark Island just ahead of Aberdare, Yendys, Scot and Tangalooma. The tight angle meant no spinnakers for this leg, with all skiffs under main & jib in good breeze with no change in positions. Britannia was first to round at Shark Island for the square run to the finish followed by Aberdare, Yendys, Scot and Tangalooma. It was an exciting run to the finish but Britannia set their maximum sail area (+ringtail) to hold their lead and take the gun ahead of Aberdare, Yendys, Scot and then Tangalooma.
Britannia leads the way to the finish.
Courtesy Wayne and Michael.
With thanks to our on-water support team of Barley, Chuck and Michael, crew sign-in by Tomoko and Nicky, Ross and Barley on the raffle, Don from Yendys on the B-B-Q. We look forward to seeing you down at the Squaddie next week. Results for Sat 12th March 2022. Race 18
Skiff Britannia Aberdare Yendys Scot Tangalooma Australia IV Top Weight The Mistake Alruth Australia Myra Too
12-Mar-22
Skipper I. Smith J. Tickner A. Dunphy M. Flanagan N. Turbit T. Stewart
Race Hcap 0:13 0:15 0:00 0:12 0:12 0:10 0:13 0:02 0:15 0:06 0:07
Hcp Start
NE Course
Start Time 14:17:00 14:15:00 14:30:00 14:18:00 14:18:00 14:20:00 DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC
Finish Time 16:02:18 16:02:38 16:03:18 16:05:56 16:24:47 DNF
ENE
8 -12 kts
Race Time 1:45:18 1:47:38 1:33:18 1:47:56 2:06:47
H'cap Time 1:32:18 1:32:38 1:33:18 1:35:56 1:54:47
New Hcap 11 14 0 12 12 10 13 2 15 6 7
Ring tail 1
Skiff Aberdare Alruth Australia Australia IV Britannia Myra Too Scot Tangalooma The Mistake Top Weight Yendys
Season Point Score 38 0 0 47 32 0 43 33 41 13 29
Autumn Point Score 12 0 0 8 11 0 6 7 0 6 9
Ringtail Point Score 1
9 10
5 2 6
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