Race Results – 13 November 2021
Only four skiffs faced gusty 20 to 30 knot westerly winds for Heat 3 of the Spring Point Score, all under their smallest no.4 rigs on the West course from Athol Bight.
SFS Race Report Sat 13th November 2021 by Bob Chapman, 15 Nov 2021. Race 3 of the 2021-22 Season and Heat Three of the Spring Point Score. Four skiffs were on hand to prepare for today’s race for what could be a challenging day out on the water. The crews of the other 3 skiffs made the call in advance to skip the day’s racing. Conditions were expected to be fresh west/north-west winds around 20 kts, but as we all know with westerly winds in springtime and the adverse effect of the geography from which they come; you can sometimes get more than what you bargained for. All four skiffs opted for their smallest no.4 rig configuration. Once out on the harbour they were confronted with some spiteful gusty conditions with big variations in wind strength and direction. Just getting down to the start area had its own set of challenges.
Pre-start conditions.
Photo courtesy Adrienne Jackson
Aberdare preparing to start.
Photo courtesy Mark Callanan.
Scot heads up the first beat.
Photo courtesy Mark Callanan.
The race got underway from a handicap start off Athol Bight on the no.5 West course into a 20-30 kt gusty W/NW breeze and run-in tide. Scot was first skiff away off 15 mins, followed by Aberdare also off 15 mins but running a bit late for their start, not a big concern under the circumstances. Next skiff away was Australia IV off 7 mins, then The Mistake off Scr. The two limit skiffs were managing the conditions well as they struggled up the first beat, but unfortunately when Scot made their final tack to lay the first mark they took water over the leeward side that then developed into a terminal fill-up, ending their race. Meanwhile Aberdare was making good progress upwind to the mark but shipped a couple of waves that proved to be the beginning of the end, the next big gust came through and they were unable to respond effectively and also suffered a terminal fill-up. Australia IV was first to round the mark off Robinson’s Point for the square run to Point Piper with a good lead from The Mistake. No spinnakers were set on the first run. Australia IV was unable to run direct to the bottom mark on starboard gybe and headed towards Double Bay where they made a round-turn, then run towards Shark Island and then a final round-turn to head to the bottom mark. Meanwhile, The Mistake was able to make course to the bottom mark (easy to say, sometimes hard to do under the circumstances), making up time in the process. Plenty of breeze at the bottom mark and not a lot of sea-room to manoeuvre in these conditions, typical lee-shore situation. Australia IV was first to round at Point Piper for the beat back up to Robinson’s Point followed by The Mistake. Australia IV tacked onto port to head towards Bradley’s Head, while The Mistake continued on starboard towards Double Bay. When The Mistake tacked onto port they had a good lay up towards Athol Bight. Very testing conditions for both skiffs as they battled their way upwind where The Mistake moved into the lead towards the later section of the beat. Meanwhile, unbeknown to both crews the start team had decided to shorten the course and finish the race at the top mark off Robinson’s Point, but unfortunately the start boat suffered a mechanical issue and had to be taken into tow, affecting their ability to be on-station at the top mark.
The Mistake rounds first at Robinson’s Point for the run to Clark Island. Photo Adrienne Jackson The Mistake was first to round at Robinson’s Point for the run to Clark Island, unaware they had actually finished, albeit recorded as doing so from a distance. When Australia IV approached the mark they were notified it was the finish. Australia IV was recorded as a finisher and sailed back to the SFS, while The Mistake headed off to continue to sail the course. The Mistake went on to round Clark Island and then sail the beat back to Kirribilli, now referred to as “the victory lap”, to complete the full course, and then the treacherous return into Careening Cove. Amen. With thanks to our on-water support team of Barley, Michelle, Mark, Nick, Chuck, Michael, Alan and Doug, COVID Marshall Nicki, the B-b-Q and raffle team. We look forward to seeing you down at the Squaddie next week.
The Mistake heads upwind.
Photo courtesy SailMedia.
Results for Sat 13th November 2021. Race 3
Skiff The Mistake Australia IV Aberdare Scot Tangalooma Yendys Top Weight Britannia Myra Too Alruth Australia
Skiff Aberdare Alruth Australia Australia IV Britannia Myra Too Scot Tangalooma The Mistake Top Weight Yendys
13-Nov-21
Skipper J. Winning T. Stewart J. Tickner M. Flanagan
Spring Point Score 7 0 0 13 0 0 3 5 17 0 8
Race Hcap 0:00 0:07 0:15 0:15 0:14 0:00 0:15 0:15 0:07 0:15 0:06
Hcp Start
West Course
Start Time 14:30:00 14:23:00 14:15:00 14:15:00 DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC
Finish Time 15:18:40 15:20:40 DNF DNF
Ringtail Point Score 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
W/NW
20-30 kts
Race Time 0:48:40 0:57:40
H'cap Time 0:48:40 0:50:40
New Hcap 0 8 15 15 14 0 15 15 7 15 6
Ring tail
From Seabreeze.com, Saturday 13th November 2021
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