Race Results 14 December 2024
Yendys scored the daily double in Club Championship Heat 2, winning the race and taking first on handicap in light southeasterly conditions, with Bazza Watson at the helm.
SFS Race Report 14 December 2024 Club Championship Heat 2 Summer Series Heat 2 YENDYS SCORES THE DAILY DOUBLE
All photos this week with thanks to Barley Stewart and Tara Weaver - Gemini crew.
No-one was surprised to see Yendys win by quite a margin in the second heat of the Club Championship. Yendys is a noted light weather flyer and her experienced crew led by Bucko, the Admiral and MVS were always short-placed favourites. Helmed by Bazza Watson (who trips down each week from Queensland) the odds were even shorter. But, after struggling against the huge handicap advantages of some of the rest of the fleet in recent races, it was to Yendys’ credit that she also picked up first on the handicap podium, albeit by only a small margin on the rest of the fleet. For a change, the weather gods turned on a lovely, sunny day with a light south easterly settling in early and promising to turn left as the morning wore on. And so it was, that when the starters headed out to assess the breeze and the course, the easterly breeze and the No, 2 course starting at Kirribilli was the logical choice. The starters had a smile on their faces being back on the trusty Killo that had been out of action for some weeks with damage to the prop and shaft and with the need to replace the gear box at some expense.
Everyone loves a scratch start and it was great to see the tactics and jockeying before the start in 5-7 knots of breeze, with all boats starting well. Yendys showed remarkable patience to let Alruth sneek in at the boat end right on the gun. (They later claimed that it was to avoid serious injury to the starters). Within a few boat lengths though, Yendys powered up and pointing higher than Alruth soon forced her to tack away, leaving Yendys ahead and to windward of the rest of the fleet.
All photos this week with thanks to Barley Stewart and Tara Weaver - Gemini crew.
The usual strategy in an easterly when tide is not a big factor is to head to the Cremorne Point light and then head across to Clark Island to set up for a tack to the Shark Island light. The leading boats did just that but then were in for a surprise when Tangalooma and Britannia who had the worst of the scratch start went up the northern shore and discovered that at the top of the Harbour the breeze had doubled in strength and was still ESE enabling both boats to lift and head straight for the Island. Those who had gone right found themselves easing sheets and watching the limit boats climb ahead of them after being well behind for most of the upwind leg.
All photos this week with thanks to Barley Stewart and Tara Weaver - Gemini crew.
Yendys had, however, established enough of a lead to round the Island 4 minutes ahead of Alruth who had done well to get inside of and 40 seconds ahead of Top Weight and the rest of the chasers led by Tangalooma.
All photos this week with thanks to Barley Stewart and Tara Weaver - Gemini crew.
The long spinnaker run to Kirribilli, squaring up further down on this leg, saw Yendys with a ringtail and a slightly increased lead over Alruth, followed by Top Weight, Australia, Tangalooma, Mistake and Britannia in that order with only 6 minutes separating the last four boats. Back to Shark Island for the second lap of the course, Yendys increased her lead over Alruth to round Shark Island 11 minutes ahead. Top Weight was a further 3 minutes back with Australia pressing 2 minutes behind. The remaining places were unchanged with Tangalooma ahead of Mistake and Britannia. On the final run home, Yendys and Top Weight looked great under their ringtails (second time for both) with Yendys crossing the line 10 minutes ahead of Alruth in second place. Alruth, minus a ringtail but with her big yellow kite standing out, had still managed to hold off Top Weight who was a further minute or so back in third. Australia followed closely behind with Tangalooma, Mistake and Britannia bringing up the rear. A couple of suggestions for the long markers … in a light breeze like Saturday, sheets need to be hard on. There were too many occasions where the mainsail was not working properly and crews were leaning in, slowing the skiff and losing pointing ability. More Weekbix and coffee for the sheet hand please. On the long square runs, bigger kites are needed and must be added to the sail lockers. And finally, getting the spinnaker drop done and rounding on the mark and not 50 metres after it will save minutes. Just saying …! All in all, it was a lovely day to be on the Harbour. Where else would you want to be on a sunny Saturday with a BBQ and an ale or two with great mates to round off the day? Thanks to our volunteers: Barley, Tara, Rob G and race officers Ben and Rusty.
* Note: correction to the table above - John Lewis skippered Tangalooma for Race 10 while Neville Turbit is out injured.
WHEN: this Saturday straight after sailing WHERE: Sydney Flying Squadron deck WHO: Hysterical Sailors and their partners and friends WHAT: Music - Cam Atkins and his duo. There's talk of karaoke. The BBQ will be operating on full steam with $5 hamburgers. We are aiming for Sailors' drinks prices for the evening. The weather gods have promised a balmy evening. This will be a fun evening at the best waterfront venue in Sydney and a great start to the festive week. Be there!!