Race Results – 28 November 2020
On a 40 degree day, five skiffs raced the final Spring Point Score heat in a puffy westerly of 12 to 22 knots, with Top Weight first away and leading around the early marks.
SFS Race Report Sat 28th November 2020 by Bob Chapman, 30 Nov 2020. Race 8 of the 2020-21 Season and Final Heat of the Spring Point Score. Extremely hot and dry conditions in the boat park as six skiffs prepared for the day’s racing - it got up to 40.0 C as predicted. The wind was from the north-west, not that fresh but very puffy and a bit erratic, switching back to the west on occasions. Rig choices varied between no.3 configuration or no.2 mainsail with no.3 jib. Only 5 skiffs decided to launch, with one staying ashore, possibly due to a shortage of effective crew for the conditions. The race got underway from a handicap start in Athol Bay on the no.5 West course into a puffy 12, 22 kt WNW breeze, at the start of the run-in tide. Top Weight was first away off 14 mins, followed by Scot (13), then Aberdare (12), Australia IV (7) and The Mistake off 2 mins. The beat up to Kurraba was very challenging (as usual in a westerly) with the breeze broken up by the high-rise buildings that surround the landscape, then funneling out of the adjacent bays, with the added challenge of other race course marks (and competing fleets) in close proximity. Top Weight was first to round at Kurraba for the very square run to Point Piper, followed by Scot, Aberdare, Australia IV and The Mistake. All skiffs chose to carry spinnakers on a starboard pole but being able to hold course down to the mark would be a challenge with the breeze flicking between west and north-west. Top Weight and Scot were unable to run directly to the mark, sailing wide of the mark to drop their spinnaker and do a round-turn to get down to the mark. Aberdare got caught-out down this run with a gust from the NW that resulted in an involuntary gybe ending their race with a terminal swim. Australia IV and The Mistake were able to hold course and sail directly to the mark and make up time on the leading skiffs.
Aberdare, halfway down first run (courtesy Barley Stewart) Top Weight was first to round at Point Piper for the beat to Kurraba followed by Scot, Australia IV and The Mistake. Top Weight and Scot headed towards Bradleys Head / Athol to work up the right side of the course, while Australia IV and The Mistake worked the middle. The breeze was very erratic in strength and direction up this beat and the skiffs on the right side made the best of the conditions. Top Weight was first to round at Kurraba for the square run to Clark Island followed by Scot, then Australia IV and The Mistake. Once again it was a challenge to hold course down to the mark with the lead skiffs running wide, dropping their spinnaker for a round turn to reach back to the island, while The Mistake held course to the island. However it made no difference to positions as the skiffs rounded Clark Island in the same order, albeit now closely bunched together and setting the scene for a close tussle on the final beat to the finish. The four skiffs made a long port-hand tack across to Athol, with The Mistake closing up on the leaders. From Athol the skiffs crossed tacks many times in the challenging conditions, as the lead
changed several times, with The Mistake gaining the upper hand at the end of the beat to cross the line 40 secs ahead of Australia IV, with 30 secs to Scot and then 20 secs to Top Weight.
Last beat to finish, L to R: Australia IV, Top Weight, The Mistake, Scot (courtesy Barley Stewart) With thanks to our on-water support team of Barley, Stu, Russell, Bentley, Michael, Peter, Chuck, and Bill; along with COVID Marshalls Michael, Tomoko and Nicki. We look forward to seeing you down at the Squaddie next week. Results for Sat 28th November 2020. Race 8 Skiff The Mistake Australia IV Scot Top Weight Aberdare Yendys Tangalooma Britannia Myra Too Alruth Australia
Skiff Aberdare Alruth Australia Australia IV Britannia Myra Too Scot Tangalooma The Mistake Top Weight Yendys
28-Nov-20 Skipper J. Winning T. Stewart J. Watt A. Robertson J. Tickner
Spring Point Score 26 0 0 33 16 0 23 13 34 5 10
Race Hcap 0:02 0:07 0:13 0:14 0:12 0:00 0:15 0:15 0:07 0:15 0:06
Hcp Start Start Time 14:28:00 14:23:00 14:17:00 14:16:00 14:18:00 DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC
West Course Finish Time 15:51:53 15:52:31 15:53:03 15:53:25 DNF
Ringtail Point Score 0 0 0 6 3 0 0 0 4 0 2 -----------------------------
WNW Race Time 1:23:53 1:29:31 1:36:03 1:37:25
12 - 22 kts H'cap Time 1:21:53 1:22:31 1:23:03 1:23:25
New Hcap 0 6 13 14 12 0 15 15 7 15 6
Ring tail