Race Results – 26 November 2022
Six skiffs decided the final heat of the Spring Point Score off Kurraba Point in a patchy ESE breeze and strong run-out tide, with Britannia first away and tidal tactics shaping the first beat.
SFS Race Report Sat 26th November 2022 by Bob Chapman, 28 Nov 2022. Race 7 of the 2022-23 Season and Heat Seven (final) of the Spring Point Score. Ideal spring weather with sunny skies and a fresh morning southerly that was expected to lighten-off and go around to the SE then East for the afternoon’s sailing. There were 6 skiffs preparing for today’s race, with rig choices favouring full size no.2 main and jib. The 2.0 metre high tide at 10.30 was lapping at the top of the sea wall in the boat park, so plenty of water to exit the harbour during the course of the afternoon. In addition, the pleasant weather usually attracts the power boaters and their need to churn up the waterway with as much boat wash as they can generate. The race got underway from a handicap start off Kurraba Point on the no.2 East course into a moderate and patchy 10-12 kt ESE breeze (a bit fresher further up the course) and strong run-out tide. Britannia was first skiff away off 16 mins, then Tangalooma (14), Scot (12), Australia IV (9), Australia (9) missed their start by 3 mins, and finally The Mistake off scratch. As expected, the skiffs made a long port leg out to the middle of the harbour in order to gain the most from the run-out tide, and then work the southern or northern side to approach Shark Island. The wind appeared to bend a bit NE on the northern side while the Point Piper side had a distinct SE effect. Plenty of other craft on the waterway to negotiate for this leg of the course, it had its challenges.
Britannia has started, Tangalooma preparing to start.
Courtesy Adrienne Jackson.
Tangalooma made the most of the tricky conditions to round Shark Island first for the square run back to Kurraba followed by Britannia, Scot, Australia IV, Australia and The Mistake. All skiffs set port pole spinnakers but the breeze was now beginning to move to the east making it unlikely the skiffs could get down to course while on port gybe. Australia IV and Britannia set ringtails. The lead skiffs dropped their spinnaker early before gybing to approach the bottom mark on starboard under main & jib. The Mistake gybed their spinnaker halfway down the run and carried it all the way to the mark.
Yachts, powerboats, spinnakers & ringtails.
Courtesy Adrienne Jackson.
Tangalooma established a comfortable lead to round first at Kurraba for the tight lead to Clark Island followed by Britannia, Scot, Australia IV, Australia and The Mistake. Scot and Australia IV were able
to pass Britannia on this leg with the following skiffs making up ground. Tangalooma continued to lead for the beat up to Shark Island while the remaining five skiffs enjoyed some close racing as they worked their way upwind in challenging conditions with the wind strength and direction constantly changing.
Australia, Tangalooma & Scot, on first run.
Courtesy Adrienne Jackson.
Tangalooma was first to round Shark Island for the final run to Kurraba with a significant lead, followed by Scot, Australia IV, Britannia, Australia and The Mistake. The breeze was well into the east with all skiffs running under starboard pole, some with ringtails. Tangalooma went on to record a very comfortable win by over 5 mins from Australia IV, 1 min to Scot, just ahead of The Mistake, Australia and Britannia.
Australia IV leads the minor place getters to the finish.
Courtesy Adrienne Jackson.
With thanks to our on-water support team of Barley, Stewart, Bob, Russell and Tomoko, with crew sign-on by Tomoko, Ross on the B-B-Q and Fiona on the raffle. We look forward to seeing you down at the Squaddie next week. -----Neville Turbit has recently posted 2 articles on the SFS website to explain the SFS Handicapping and Point Score Systems used for the H18s, as per the following links: https://www.sydneyflyingsquadron.com.au/sailing/sfs-handicap-system/ https://www.sydneyflyingsquadron.com.au/sailing/sfs-point-scoring-system/
Results for Sat 26th November 2022. Race 7
26-Nov-22
Skiff Tangalooma Australia IV Scot The Mistake Australia Britannia Yendys Aberdare Top Weight Myra Too Alruth
Skipper N. Turbit T. Stewart J. Watt J. Winning M. Carter I. Smith
Skiff Aberdare Alruth Australia Australia IV Britannia Myra Too Scot Tangalooma The Mistake Top Weight Yendys
Spring Point Score 0 12 14 34 16 0 14 20 25 0 17
Race Hcap 0:14 0:09 0:12 0:00 0:09 0:16 0:00 0:14 0:11 0:07 0:11
Hcp Start
East Course
East
10-14 kts
Start Time 14:16:00 14:21:00 14:18:00 14:30:00 14:21:00 14:14:00 DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC
Finish Time 16:12:58 16:18:35 16:19:32 16:20:12 16:20:34 16:22:21
Race Time 1:56:58 1:57:35 2:01:32 1:50:12 1:59:34 2:08:21
H'cap Time 1:42:58 1:48:35 1:49:32 1:50:12 1:50:34 1:52:21
Ringtail Point Score
4 5
1 1
Spring Point Score, Final Placings: 1st Australia IV, 34 pts; The Mistake, 25 pts; Tangalooma, 20 pts;
-----------------------------
New Hcap 12 8 12 0 9 16 0 14 11 7 11
Ring tail 1 1 2