Apollo Bay Sailing Club

Tells Tails

Updated 13/4/12

The briefing was with out ceremony but it was apparent  the 7 yachts participating would be challenged by the longer than usual course  set by the duty offices. The wind was fresh, the swell was  large  it was cold and the stage was set for a long race.

As the keel boats  Boheme, Ten Plus One and Interlude were winding up and strutting their stuff around the start line in the distance Tumbleweed seemed to be in stasis. With the the haunting words of a particular life member ringiin in the duty officers ears “ The race starts at 2PM it always has and always will” the die was cast, the flags were arranged and the race start sequence was set  in motion. History was now in the making. As the “blue peter” came down for the first time and the keel boats heeling over powered windward 10 Plus One hit the line right on the money and wasn’t headed all day. The dingy start was equally impressive with Windswept taking a lick of paint off the start boat as it crossed the line and as hard as Miss Molly tried  the  skill of Lids and Leo skillfully flying the kite was the major difference. It’s was great to see Sister Mermaid a somewhat reluctant Finlay onboard just of the pace as well. They were really belting along. Giving the fleet possibly 10 minutes start Tumbleweed rounded the start line and to their credit tightened up and took the bull by the horns and chased down the fleet to finish in a very credible third place. The Bendigo Bank started well late and as the course and conditions were not for the faint hearted or those carrying injuries sensibly retire early.

As the day progress the course and conditions starting to take it’s toll by the second triangle the emotional cracks started to appear. Kelly and Finlay had to retire in due to the cold, hats off to Finlay though for going in the first place. He knew well before the race it was going to be a tough gig and the potential for tears was pretty.  But the Sister re grouped continued on an did the rest for them selves.

Watching 10 Plus One bearing down to the finish line then tacking 50 metres away from us and healing heavily to cross first across the line with the crew  cheering punching the air with much back slapping all round was really a great spectacle. Other highlight included  a fabulously quick's the word sharps the action U Turn tack at the windward mark by Tumbleweed, it was a was a very impressive maneuver indeed and nailing that definitely got a cheer from us.

A day of tough sailing of course would not be complete with out some controversy. Boheme’s tactics seem at time to do be unlike all the other yachts on the course at at least twice during the day. Firstly choosing to sail to wrong mark mid race and the second was to cross the finish line on the opposite side to every body else. The look on the crews face as they thought about tacking before continue on their confident course  was priceless and well worth the following jeers jibes we knew would follow.

A special well done to the fearless crew on Interlude who although out paced all day, sailed for longer than the other yachts and crossed the finish line  last,  actually won honors on the day after all.

Handicap                            Yard Stick
1st Interude                        1st Windswept   
2nd Ten Plus One               2nd Miss Moley
3rd Tumbleweed

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