Race Results – 26 January 2022
Neville Turbit gives a Tangalooma view of the Australia Day Regatta, with four skiffs racing in a building ENE breeze, late rig changes, and a hunt for a missing reefing line before the start.
Race Report, Australia Day Regatta, 26 January 2022 Neville Turbit I have been asked to write a report on the Australia Day Regatta but don’t expect the high quality report you are used to from Bob Chapman. I don’t have all the details and can only write what I saw from Tangalooma, and what I heard after the race. A very one-sided recollection. There were three boats to participate. Scot, Australia IV and Tangalooma. On the day, Aberdare decided to join us. We lost a crew member in the morning and were down to six crew. We did have a secret weapon in that Eloise from Britannia had joined us and brought all Smithy’s secrets with her. Wind was forecast around 10 knots ENE. By 11 am it had passed that and was building. Most people had started with number 1 rig but there was a quick change to either a reefed number 1 or a number 2. On Tangles we decided to reef late in the morning but could not find the reefing line. A thorough search of the shed didn’t help, and we even considered borrowing a line from another boat. Unfortunately, we needed a 4mm line and it was not to be found. Eventually Coral came to the rescue. She found a piece of faded orange string that looked like it had been used to tie up bundles of green waste for a council cleanup. Still, beggars can’t be choosers. Everyone was a bit late getting into the water as we had to sail up to Point Piper in an ENE breeze. A4 got away first, followed by Tangles, Scot and Aberdare. We had a few setup changes on the way to the line and by the time we arrived, we were behind Scot and Aberdare.
Photo Adrienne Jackson
A4 started close to the start time of 2.00 but the rest of us were 10 or 15 minutes late. The next time we saw A4 was in the park at Kirribilli. We assume Terry finished the race or maybe he just got lonely and came home. Scot and Aberdare had a close tussle for most of the race over second and third. No idea who was in front at each mark, we were too busy bailing. I suspect Aberdare had the lead on most marks, but I could be wrong. I had forgotten that every floating gin palace and cruise boat is out on Australia Day trying to attain a speed conducive with water skiing. That is when 8-foot 6-inch beam is not something you enjoy. Rather than an old 18-footer, a surf boat would have been more appropriate for the day. We all held the same gaps for most of the race which started at Point Piper, to Taylors Bay, Beashel Buoy, Shark Island, Taylors Bay, Shark Island and finish off Point Piper. That was until the last rounding of Shark. If you remember three weeks ago, three boats went in gybing around Shark. Well, there must be some slow learners since Aberdare did it again. Barley towed them to Lady Martin Beach where the Prince Edward people served shots of rum on the beach as tradition dictates. Either slow learners or they will do anything for a drink. I do believe they also had some help bailing the boat from a number of ladies young enough to be their granddaughters. From what I hear Aberdare has arranged to capsize again on Saturday at the same beach.
That is where it got interesting for Tangalooma. We saw Aberdare in the water and decided to granny and avoid the risk of running over them. As we straightened for the run home, a police launch pulled directly in front of us and stopped about 20-metres short of Aberdare. The choice was sail between the two or go around the stern of the police boat. We had plenty of time. They were only about 15-metres away. But then there was this 30-footer poor man’s boat. I say poor mans because it was one of those boats made from plastic and carbon fibre rather than wood. They must have run out of money because they couldn’t afford a transom at the back of the cockpit. Very serious racers who decided to sail between us and the police boat. There was much grinding of winches on one boat and grinding of teeth on the other. There was some discussion of their birth status and intellect as well as sexual references. Anyway, I closed my eyes and it all worked out.
We finished behind Scot for a third. Australia IV was so far in front, they awarded them last year’s race as well. This is the official result sheet. Don’t ask me how it works. Jerry finished 3 seconds behind us even though he was capsized. Perhaps he hitched a towline on when I wasn’t looking. Boat Australia IV Scot Tangalooma Aberdare
Skipper Terry Stewart Jamie Watt Neville Turbit Jerry Tickner
Finish 15.17.10 15.29.34 15.31.32 15.31.36
Elapsed 01.17.10 1.29.34 1.31.32 1.31.35
PHS 0.9816 0.9226 0.9171 0.9258
Corrected 1.15.45 1.22.38 1.23.57 1.24.47
I could thank Barley, Chuck and her old sea dog who accompanied her on the yellow rib, but I think Aberdare would probably be much more thankful than I. Ross did a great job on the BBQ and we enjoyed a gourmet sausage sandwich after the race. Why the restaurant does not put them on the menu escapes me.