Race Results – 15 January 2022
Nine skiffs, including a returning Myra Too, started the first race of the Australian Championship, where Yendys used its full size mainsail to power into a commanding lead in a moderate nor'easter.
SFS Race Report Sat 15th January 2022 by Bob Chapman, 17 Jan 2022. Race 10 of the 2021-22 Season and Race One of the Australian Championship. Nine skiffs were on hand for the day’s racing with Myra Too making a welcome return to racing. Conditions were very hot and humid in the boat park with the expectation of a moderate sea breeze during the afternoon and the possibility of a thunderstorm. The majority of skiffs elected to use no.2 rigs, with Yendys able to make a late change up to a full size no.1 mainsail. It was slow going for the skiffs on leaving the Kirribilli shore at low tide in light air, with the breeze filling in from the NE as they approached the eastern side of the harbour. The race got underway after a 15 minute delay from a scratch start off Double Bay on the no.1 Northeast course into a 10-12 kts northeast breeze at the beginning of the run-in tide. Yendys was best away from the pin-end, The Mistake well positioned up the line with Top Weight getting away well from the boat-end. Yendys larger rig was best suited for the conditions to power into the lead as the skiffs approached Bradley’s Head. Yendys soon established a comfortable lead as the skiffs worked down harbour while the next group of skiffs was closely matched with regular changes in position. Halfway down the beat Yendys made a big move to the eastern shore that paid off handsomely when they picked up a big easterly shift to lay the top mark on a long starboard tack.
Skiffs on approach to the start line.
Soon after the start.
Photo courtesy Bruce Kerridge.
Long distance view courtesy Adrienne Jackson.
Yendys was first to round the Beashel Buoy with a 6 minute lead for the run to Shark Island followed by The Mistake, Top Weight, Australia IV, Scot, Myra Too, Britannia, Tangalooma and Aberdare. The breeze was ENE at this stage and the skiffs enjoyed a fast run downwind. The ENE breeze meant there was no need to gybe immediately at the Shark Island mark as the 2nd run was a free angle. Yendys was first to gybe for the run to Clark Island, followed by The Mistake, Top Weight, Australia IV, Myra Too, Tangalooma, Scot, Aberdare and Britannia. Unfortunately, three skiffs had an issue during the gybe process that resulted in a terminal fill-up, Australia IV, Tangalooma and Scot
subsequently enjoyed each other’s company on the beach adjacent to the Royal Prince Edward Y.C. where a restorative shot of rum may or may not have been administered. Yendys was first to round the Clark Island mark with a comfortable lead for the beat up to Chowder Bay into a steady breeze of about 14 kts. Next skiff to round was The Mistake then Top Weight, Myra Too, Aberdare and Britannia. The skiffs enjoyed good sailing conditions for the last lap of this race with Yendys unlikely to be challenged for the lead. Yendys was first to round at Chowder for the reach across to Shark Island while the position of the following skiffs remained un-changed. Yendys was first to gybe at Shark Island to then set a ringtail down the final run to win by a very comfortable 6½ minutes followed by The Mistake (ringtail), Top Weight, Myra Too, Britannia (ringtail) and Aberdare.
Yendys approaching the finish line.
Photo courtesy Bruce Kerridge.
With thanks to our on-water support team of Barley, Stewart, Chuck, Michael and Bruce, COVID Marshall Nicki, Fiona on the raffle, with Don from Yendys on hand to burn the onions on the B-B-Q. We look forward to seeing you down at the Squaddie next week.
Results for Sat 15th January 2022. Race 10
Skiff Yendys The Mistake Top Weight Myra Too Britannia Aberdare Australia IV Tangalooma Scot Alruth Australia
15-Jan-22
Skipper G. Wakefield J. Winning A. Robertson M. Carter I. Smith J. Tickner T. Stewart N. Turbit J. Watt
Race Hcap 0:00 0:00 0:14 0:07 0:16 0:15 0:09 0:13 0:10 0:15 0:06
Scp Start NE Course
ENE
10-14 kts
Start Time 14:45:00 14:45:00 14:45:00 14:45:00 14:45:00 14:45:00 14:45:00 14:45:00 14:45:00 DNC DNC
Race Time 1:31:40 1:38:07 1:44:06 1:48:45 1:53:16 1:53:21
H'cap New Ring AHSSA Rating Rating Time Hcap tail Rating C'Time Place 1:31:40 0 1 0:01:30 1:30:10 1 1:38:07 1 1 0:01:30 1:36:37 2 1:30:06 13 0:05:00 1:39:06 3 1:41:45 8 0:02:00 1:46:45 5 1:37:16 17 1 0:08:30 1:44:46 4 1:38:21 16 0:00:00 1:53:21 6 9 13 10 15 6
Finish Time 16:16:40 16:23:07 16:29:06 16:33:45 16:38:16 16:38:21 DNF DNF DNF
Skiff Aberdare Alruth Australia Australia IV Britannia Myra Too Scot Tangalooma The Mistake Top Weight Yendys
Aust C'ship Points after 1 Race 6
Ringtail Point Score
10 4 5 10 10 2 3 1
2 1
1 3 -----------------------------