Race Results14 October 2023
A view from Australia IV of the 2023-24 season opener, where a dying westerly gave way to a nor'easter, a container ship forced evasive action, and The Mistake took a penalty turn at the top mark.
First race on the SFS 2023-24 Season from the Australia IV point of view Four starters were met with a westerly, however, fortunately a dying one. Due to the wind direction and low tide launching was challenging and the starters wisely delayed the start. The Britannia (Ian Smith), Tangalooma (John Lewis) and the Mistake (Jerry Tickner) started before us (Australia IV, Terry Stewart) on a light westerly. With 30 secs to our start, we were 2m from the line, after 3min we were 15m from the line, still on the wrong side. Fortunately for us and to the determent of the other boats, a NE kicked in and Australia IV managed to be first to the top mark along with the other boats. The Mistake (Jerry Tickner) tried to fit a 7’ x 18’ boat into a 2’ x 6’ hole at the mark, resulting in a penalty turn and a few wise words from the other skippers.
On the leg to Shark Island a nice NE kicked in and we went toe to toe with Tangalooma and Britannia. We rounded Shark with The Mistake and the other boats close behind. We set a #3 kite, only to then have to pull away due to a large container ship coming out of the harbour. Polite but stern words came our way from the pilot vessel. The other two boats sailed in front of the ship. We were able to go around the ship and carry the kite all the way to the mark.
On the leg to Navy buoy 3 we were caught by Tangles and Mistake. I chose, or more precisely the wind chose the middle track. This was fine up until 200m from the finish when the westerly reappeared and Tangalooma with John Lewis at the helm, watch out Neville, took full advantage to earn a well sailed win, well done. The Mistake followed Australia IV and then Britannia who after finishing decided to wash the saw dust off the boat, sails and crew. This left Australia IV the very challenging task of sailing into the club with a very fickle westerly blowing directly down the bay. Due to the late start and the Britannia capsize the presentation was rescheduled for next week. Many thanks to the competitors and especially the volunteers and start crews. See you on the water next week. Terry Stewart SFS Commodore
Results for Saturday 14th October 2023 Race 1
Skiff Tangalooma Australia IV The Mistake Britannia Australia Aberdare Yendys Alruth Scott Top Weight Myra Too Scratch Boat Start Time
Skiff Aberdare Alruth Australia Australia IV Britannia Myra Too Scott Tangalooma The Mistake Top Weight Yendys
Start Handicap
14-Oct-23
Skipper J Lewis T Stewart J Tickner I Smith
Race H/cap (Mins) 0:18:00 0:09:00 0:14:00 0:18:00
14:55:00 Due to AP Spring Points Score
5 3
6 4
Start Time 14:37:00 14:41:00 14:46:00 14:37:00 DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC
Course #5 Finish Time 16:34:15 16:35:20 16:35:35 16:40:58
Breeze WNW Race Time 1:39:15 1:40:20 1:40:35 1:45:58
Strength 5 to 19 kts H/cap Time 1:21:15 1:31:20 1:26:35 1:27:58
New H/cap (Mins) 0:16:00 0:08:00 0:14:00 0:18:00 0:15:00 0:02:00 0:00:00 0:07:00 0:15:00 0:11:00 0:07:00
Ringtail