Tell
Tales 15th October 2005
The first race of the season.
Always an interesting mix of performances by our intrepid
bunch of local sailors.
A change to procedure, the keel boats to start first, well
that was the theory. Of course it was a good plan not particularly
well executed by some. On the start signal ‘Jubilation’
crossed the line with perfect timing. Our commodore and
his crew of wise old sages on ‘Interlude’ scrambled
across a full 4 minutes later. (Wise they is. Quick they
ain’t!)
Where was ‘Tumbleweed’. Stationary, pointing
away from the start line and with all sails dropped - what
cunning strategy was in play here? Lull the competitors
into a false sense of confidence? Ten minutes later the
rest of the fleet were half way to the top mark and feeling
mighty confident!
Rescue boat duty is a mix of three elements; the serious
business of running a race, the occasional drama of a rescue
situation and the comical relief of watching others, struggle
and squirm with stuff ups under the wise cracking, know-all
supervision of the rescue boat crew. This is a time honoured
role that has given rise to our new award (with the wise
cracking, know-all sponsorship of the Bayleaf Café)
known as the ‘Bayleaf Tool of the Week’
Motoring over, half expecting a rescue situation, we are
alarmed to see a body in the water. “Gary! How’s
your CPR?” Upon closer inspection however, the figure
in the water is in full diving gear with a knife between
his teeth – its Bill ‘the body’ Gross.
The Hungarian Fishmonger has spotted a Patagonian Tooth
fish. No wrong again, ‘Tumbleweed’ has snagged
the bottom mark.
Shortly after the problem is solved, then with sails up
and a nice turn of speed, ‘Tumbleweed’ is looking
fast, looking dangerous, looking like a record breaker.
Very soon, - she does break a record –25 minutes late
across the start. ‘Tumbleweed’ - not that fast
and not very dangerous.
Meanwhile the wind is dropping and the tide induced current
is building. ‘Jubilation’, ‘Windswept’,
‘In the Blue’, and ‘Hell‘n High
Water’ are making the best of it, completing the first
lap before the rest have finished the first leg.
Retirements are building: ‘Tumbleweed’, ‘Interlude’,
‘Miss Molly’ all out, unable to beat the tide
around the first mark. The wind is dropping and one more
lap to complete. It is now a race against the 2-hour time
limit and the incoming tide.
‘Jubilation’ in front but losing ground fast
to ‘Windswept’ sailing an impressive first race.
‘Jubilation’ eventually taking line honours,
by a mere 20 seconds. Only two boats still racing –
the 470’s having a great tussle. Peter and Ella Bourne
with ‘Hell’n High Water’ crossing the
line next, a fine result. Next, the Smith’s with ‘In
the Blue’ only 10 metres to go and two min left. Can
they do it? Inching closer, inching closer, inching backwards
- racing backwards! Time up, now 50 m from the line. Sorry
guys, all that sailing and no result.
Final results (Corrected Time) Bayleaf Tool of the Week
1st Windswept
2nd Jubilation Tumbleweed
3rd Hell’n High water
Life is good be happy come sailing ?
Meetings held on the third
Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm.
|
|
