Race Results – 27 February 2021
Six skiffs raced Autumn Point Score Race 2 in misty rain and a very light easterly, with Australia IV and Yendys using a late ENE shift to close on the limit boats near Shark Island.
SFS Race Report Sat 27th February 2021 by Bob Chapman, 1 Mar 2021. Race 18 of the 2020-21 Season and Race Two of the Autumn Point Score. Skippers and crews were greeted by light misty rain and very little breeze, with the prospect of a light gradient breeze developing from the east later in the day. A shortage of crew ruled two skiffs out, with six skiffs on hand for today’s race with no.1 big rig the popular choice. The race got underway from a handicap start off Kurraba Point on the no.2 East course into a very light easterly breeze at the end of a strong run-out tide. Aberdare was best away of the limit skiffs off 15 mins, with Tangalooma and Britannia, then Scot starting well off 14 mins, then a gap to Australia IV (7 mins) and Yendys off scratch. The four limit skiffs headed off on a long port tack towards Point Piper making good progress in light air, with Britannia at a disadvantage in being a bit underpowered with the smallest sails of this group. Down-harbour at Watson’s Bay there were signs the breeze was beginning to pick-up and would eventually make its way up the harbour. By the time Australia IV was away the breeze had showed signs of picking-up and moving left to the ENE, allowing Australia IV to sail a higher port-hand leg wherein she closed up considerably to the lead group as they approached Shark Island. Yendys after a slow start in light air at Kurraba was also able to enjoy the benefit of the left-hand shift and sail a higher course to Shark Island. By the time the skiffs were close to Shark Island the new breeze had filled-in, with Aberdare first to round followed closely by Australia IV, then Tangalooma, Britannia, Yendys and Scot. Australia IV having made up 7 mins on the limit skiffs, while Yendys made up 9 mins on the first windward leg. Aberdare and Australia IV set their largest peak-head spinnakers for the run back to Kurraba while Tangalooma set a modest size spinnaker. The normally free run was tighter than usual with Australia IV pulling away to carry their spinnaker under full load as far as possible to sail a very low course while Aberdare flagged their spinnaker when required to hold a higher line to the mark. Australia IV had to drop their spinnaker early and sail main & jib to the bottom mark taking the lead in the process. Meanwhile Yendys carried their big spinnaker well in a more direct line to the bottom mark to gain time on the leaders. Australia IV was first to round at Kurraba for leg to Clark Island followed by Aberdare, Tangalooma, Yendys, Britannia and Scot. No change in positions on this leg to Clark Island where Australia IV was first to round for the beat up to Shark Island with a lead of almost 2 mins from Aberdare, with 30 secs to Tangalooma, then another 2 mins to Yendys. The breeze had settled-in to a steady 10 kts from the ENE at this stage. Australia IV was first to round Shark Island for the final run to the finish, nearly 4 min ahead of Yendys, then Aberdare, Tangalooma, Britannia and Scot. Australia IV carried a peak-head no.2 spinnaker comfortably on the tight run, as did Yendys (+ ringtail), to sail away for a comfortable win, from Yendys with Aberdare winning their race-long duel with Tangalooma, then a gap back to an exciting finish where Britannia just pipped the fast finishing Scot.
Australia IV first to finish, followed by FD 33 (courtesy Adrienne Jackson) With thanks to our on-water support team of Barley, Liz, Russell, Suzy, Robert, Peter, Woody, Chuck and Glen; Capt. Rob on the Regal, along with COVID Marshalls Tomoko and Nicki; Reece and David on the Bar-B-Q. With mark rounding details and on-water observations provided by Peter Notley. We look forward to seeing you down at the Squaddie next week.
Results for Sat 27th February 2021. Race 18
27-Feb-21
Hcp Start Start Time 14:23:00 14:30:00 14:15:00 14:15:00 14:15:00 14:16:00 DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 14:30:00
Skiff Australia IV Yendys Aberdare Tangalooma Britannia Scot Top Weight The Mistake Myra Too Alruth Australia FD 33
F. McCrossin
Race Hcap 0:07 0:00 0:15 0:15 0:15 0:14 0:14 0:01 0:07 0:15 0:06 0:00
Skiff Aberdare Alruth Australia Australia IV Britannia Myra Too Scot Tangalooma The Mistake Top Weight Yendys
Season Point Score 41 0 0 64 33 0 42 28 54 21 42
Autumn Point Score 6 0 0 10 4 0 8 3 2 3 10
Skipper T. Stewart A. Robertson J. Tickner N. Turbit I. Smith M. Callahan
East Course Finish Time 16:04:53 16:07:28 16:10:31 16:11:13 16:25:37 16:25:45
ENE Race Time 1:41:53 1:37:28 1:55:31 1:56:13 2:10:37 2:09:45
16:05:36
1:35:36
Ringtail Point Score 0 0 0 15 9 0 0 0 12 3 13
-----------------------------
510kts H'cap Time 1:34:53 1:37:28 1:40:31 1:41:13 1:55:37 1:55:45
New Hcap 6 0 15 15 15 15 14 1 7 15 6
Ring tail 1