Race Results 26 October 2024
Spring Series Heat 3 was sailed in a shifty easterly of over 12 knots, with Britannia and Tangalooma away first, big wind shifts testing crews, and Tangalooma capsizing at the Taylor Bay mark.
SFS Race Report 26 October 2024 Spring Series Ht 3 RACE 3 OF THE 2024-2025 SEASON A slightly chilly SSW breeze greeted sailors as rigging began in a very busy Milson Park where the Bondi to Manly Ultra Run had installed one of its three relay staging posts in the park. Along with the annual jacaranda crowds in McDougall Street, this meant that there were hundreds of extra people to share the space with. Good planning by SFS management meant that this was handled without incident and without interrupting the usual rigging process for the boats.
Photo courtesy of Barley Stewart
By start time, it was clear that the breeze was backing easterly, so a SE Course No.3 was set by the starters who were confident that the 12 knots plus breeze would settle down as forecasted. Alas, Sydney Harbour has a habit of confounding the forecasts and, instead, for all of the race, the breeze continued in strength and to go easterly with big shifts of 40 degrees or more over the course keeping crews on their toes.
Tangalooma and Britannia were first away with Britannia getting the best of them at the boat end. They were followed by Australia and Top Weight with Alruth and Yendys, the scratch boat, both getting away well.
With the breeze continuing to back easterly, once around Clark Island, the fleet enjoyed a tight, fast shy run to Taylor Bay. Tangalooma has done well under an undermanned crew but succumbed in the dial-up at the mark when weight on the rail proved insufficient. A swim and a visit to the picturesque Taylor Bay beach was all the crew then had to look forward to.
Photos courtesy of Renata Zanetti
Photos courtesy of Renata Zanetti
The work up to Shark Island saw Britannia maintain the lead over Top Weight, Australia, Alruth and Yendys. More east still in the breeze meant that the run down to the Kurraba bottom mark had turned into a square run. So much so in fact that the lead boats all found themselves sailing by the lee and, not wanting to risk a jibe in the breeze that failed to drop, they found themselves well south of the turning mark and having to tack back for a rounding with a considerable loss of time. It was here that Australia discovered that getting the spinnaker down was one thing, but tacking with the backstay still attached was fatal.
Photo courtesy of Barley Stewart
Photo courtesy of Renata Zanetti
Drifting in the tide and wind into the ferry lane, the Neutral Bay ferry paused at Kirribilli while Barley on the rescue boat managed to tow Australia clear. The long, waterlogged trip back to Careening Cove was then interrupted by a fuel issue on the Gemini leading to an unexpected visit to the RSYS arm, but with the Gemini sorted, the wet and cold Australia crew made it back to the ramp to lick their wounds.
Photo courtesy of Renata Zanetti
Photo courtesy of Barley Stewart
Meanwhile, Yendys had made up plenty of time by carrying its kite all the way to the correct side of the mark and looked a near-certainty to take the chocolates with Top Weight, Alruth and Britannia close at hand.
Photo courtesy of Barley Stewart
Around Clark Island and the run to the finish confirmed Yendys well ahead, finishing over 6 minutes ahead of Top Weight with Alruth 2 minutes back in third. The finish offered its challenges to the four skiffs that finished with Commander Ben at the helm of Killo, assisted by Rusty and Renata, having taken transit sightings and successfully circling under motor to keep Killo on station after another week of anchor problems and failed fittings on the start boat. Warm showers and drinks on the deck (remember its “our deck”) revived spirits after another great day out. It’s on again next week. See you at the Squaddy.
OUR VOLUNTEERS!!! Thanks to the team of volunteers, Rusty, Ben, Renata, Stewart, Dom, Barley and Sherrie. We can’t do it without you!
Photo courtesy of Barley Stewart
Photo courtesy of Barley Stewart
Photo courtesy of Barley Stewart
Photo courtesy of Renata Zanetti
Note: Correction to Race 1 Report, John Lewis was skipper on Tangalooma. Corrected table shown below.
Yendys rounding Clark Island in first for the run to the finish. Photo courtesy of Jonnie Vigar.
Yendys broke her port lee cloth strut which the crew were able to repair prior to the start, but the broken main sheet block was repaired during the course of the race. Clever lads (and ladette)!!