Cork week Day 2 - the Aussie View
Well we asked for it and we got it. Wind that is. Yet again this morning we awoke to blue skies and no wind. So the crew headed out to the course in their best summer gear. Ten minutes later they were wearing everything they owned as an icy south-westerly kicked in. This wind had some bite in it, 20 knots and rising and we were on the windward leeward course so a good day was anticipated by all. 
'The Blackheart Crew proudly display the Aussie Flag on a beautiful summers mornng in Ireland. - Cork Week 08'
Ingrid Abery © Copyright
With everyone wearing more gear than they would on a southern ocean crossing we headed off across the start line. Soon water was washing over the bow and the bowman used to more tropical water temperatures was turning blue as he rigged the kite. By the second kite run he had lost all feeling in his hands and feet, don't worry we poured several Irish Coffees into him post-race and got his circulation going again after a few hours.
A quick hour and twenty minutes later saw us lining up for the second race start. But the race committee decided that we'd be back at the bar way too early and so moved the top mark over the horizon. About 40 minutes later we were off - or so we thought - we got the warning signal, but no four minute signal and no one minute signal (but the flags were in order) so the whole fleet headed off across the start line at the time the gun should have gone off, only to be called back by the race committee sternly shouting over VHF, "Corporate Class you have NOT started". A much more successful second attempt saw us heading for the windward mark in a brisk 21 knots. 
We nearly lost our sewer rat on our first kite drop. She had gone below with the lazy brace ready to pull the kite in when it blew out the back of the boat in a very strong gust and lifted her clean out of the cabin (but she held on!!!)
The much longer second race saw us finishing in a tidy 2 hours with the breeze dying a little on our last run. A quick tidy up and it was back to the dock for more superb Irish Hospitality!
We can't wait to get back out there tomorrow.
Check out our crew on www.manlysailing.com.au/racing
And visit our sponsors on www.blackheart.com.auand www.suuntowatches.com
by Anne Hogan
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MORDIALLOC, VIC
