What a beautiful day on the water. With 10-20 knots WSW breeze and a warm 19 degrees forecast it doesn't get much better for winter. Approximately 12 boats straddled the start line, all trying to huddle at the windward end on port tack for the best beat to the first mark. They were also trying to stay close to the line so as to not get pushed back by the strong ebb tide. RW stayed out of the mele' and chose a mid line start on starboard tack. Exalte were to windward, whilst Goodlife2 and Nelson J were further to leeward. Once again Anneliese were a bit eager over the line and returned for an individual recall - with the closeness of the handicaps their race was done at that point.
RW crossed the line about 30 secs behind the gun and we quickly sailed over the top of the smaller boats and Nelson J to be in 2nd. Ruth received plenty of encouragement as they watched her muscle on the part furled headsail in a building breeze!! On our beat to the first mark we kept RW on the boil and rounded in 2nd place a minute behind Exalte. With the sheets cracked off, we close reached to the second mark opening the gap to Goodlife2 whilst closing on Exalte. With the breeze gusting up to 20 knots and with only two on board, I opted to pole the headsail. We scooted along at 6+ knots whilst Exalte with 5 on board pumped out their spinnaker as did Goodlife2.
Much to Ruth's delight, the resident Mallabulla dolphin family joined us for some wave surfing at the second mark. By now the breeze was dropping and Goodlife2 was quickly running us down and Exalte sailing at the gybe mark, were pulling clear, so a change in strategy was needed. Kicking myself I didn't launch the Assy at the top mark, we hoisted it at the gybe mark and managed to regain some ground on the broad reach to Middle Island.
With RW taking a track a tad close to Middle Island......I think a wattle branch may have brushed against the side of the boat........the Assy was dropped down the hatch and we were back on the breeze......the Sigma's favourite point of sail. Some days tacking goes like a well oiled machine....well not today. We had several tacking issues with hung sheets causing loss of ground on each tack. By this time Exalte had blasted well into the lead, so our aim was to build the gap on Goodlife2 as we knew he was looking good on handicap. RW finished the race second over the line, but unfortunately after rounding the final mark, Goodlife2 regained enough ground on the run to the finish to clinch 1st on handicap by a mere 5 seconds over Exalte ,with RW in 3rd.
We don't usually drink during a race (unless becalmed!), but as soon as we cross the line the beers form part of the race 'de-brief'.....my theory being the crew will want to finish the race quicker!! The post race Beer of the Day was a Leffe'; a kick-in-the-pants Belgium beer.....very nice drop. We happily jogged along under spinnaker with beers in hand all the way back to the mooring. Another great days sailing and I look forward to a few more bods joining us on board for next weeks offshore race.
Results for Race 10 were:
1st: Goodlife2 (Beneteau 39)RW crossed the line about 30 secs behind the gun and we quickly sailed over the top of the smaller boats and Nelson J to be in 2nd. Ruth received plenty of encouragement as they watched her muscle on the part furled headsail in a building breeze!! On our beat to the first mark we kept RW on the boil and rounded in 2nd place a minute behind Exalte. With the sheets cracked off, we close reached to the second mark opening the gap to Goodlife2 whilst closing on Exalte. With the breeze gusting up to 20 knots and with only two on board, I opted to pole the headsail. We scooted along at 6+ knots whilst Exalte with 5 on board pumped out their spinnaker as did Goodlife2.
Much to Ruth's delight, the resident Mallabulla dolphin family joined us for some wave surfing at the second mark. By now the breeze was dropping and Goodlife2 was quickly running us down and Exalte sailing at the gybe mark, were pulling clear, so a change in strategy was needed. Kicking myself I didn't launch the Assy at the top mark, we hoisted it at the gybe mark and managed to regain some ground on the broad reach to Middle Island.
With RW taking a track a tad close to Middle Island......I think a wattle branch may have brushed against the side of the boat........the Assy was dropped down the hatch and we were back on the breeze......the Sigma's favourite point of sail. Some days tacking goes like a well oiled machine....well not today. We had several tacking issues with hung sheets causing loss of ground on each tack. By this time Exalte had blasted well into the lead, so our aim was to build the gap on Goodlife2 as we knew he was looking good on handicap. RW finished the race second over the line, but unfortunately after rounding the final mark, Goodlife2 regained enough ground on the run to the finish to clinch 1st on handicap by a mere 5 seconds over Exalte ,with RW in 3rd.
We don't usually drink during a race (unless becalmed!), but as soon as we cross the line the beers form part of the race 'de-brief'.....my theory being the crew will want to finish the race quicker!! The post race Beer of the Day was a Leffe'; a kick-in-the-pants Belgium beer.....very nice drop. We happily jogged along under spinnaker with beers in hand all the way back to the mooring. Another great days sailing and I look forward to a few more bods joining us on board for next weeks offshore race.
Results for Race 10 were:
2nd: Exalte (X-332)
3rd: Rogue Wave (Sigma 36)
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