The cruiser Autumn Series ended with the double points, no discard race, sailed in a westerly 25 kts gusting beyond 30 at times. A simple course of Marconi (P), Thirslet (S) increased in difficulty as the tide began to flood in opposition to the wind.
4 Boats came to the line, and Ned Kelly fully reefed and sailing much flatter than the others controlled the conditions best. Blue Moon, looking to wrap up the series was the only one to risk flying a kite. Although small, once it got to the masthead it remained under control until the first gust, after which it provided a great spectacle for those who dared take their eye’s off their own mainsail.
Monkey business tried hard to keep ahead of the others but sailing safe by tacking to prevent spinning out on the gybes with their overpowered main allowed Ned Kelly to stay close astern. Sundance improvised at the back of the fleet. With all headsail halyards lost to the top of the mast, they reverted to using the spinnaker halyard to hoist their smallest headsail.
The crews were relieved when Nick Miller finished the race after two laps, who was out of the race box and onto his board like a shot to enjoy the challenging conditions with the windsurfers.
Congratulations to Vy Trans. 1st Year skipper on Ned Kelly who steered his team to claim their first ever race victory, not only on local handicap but on IRC rating also. Well done.
Richard Robarts Blue Moon had an equally impressive series, winning both LH and IRC for 2017.
IRC Series Results:
1st: Blue Moon. 9 points 2nd: Monkey Buisness 10 points 3rd: Ned Kelly 12 points
Local Handicap Series Results:
1st: Blue Moon. 9 points 2nd: Ned Kelly 12 points 3rd: Monkey Buisness 14 points
Results.
Autumn Series 2017 – LH – Race 1, 2 and Race 3
Autumn Series 2017 – IRC – Race 1, 2 and Race 3
15th October Race 4 Results LH
22nd October Race 5 Results LH
22nd October Race 5 Results IRC