Navigational issues on SMB #1 on Day 1 of Sail Port Stephens

10:46 AM Mon 20 Apr 2009 GMT

'Headed in the right direction on SMB #1 - Sail Port Stephens' Dominic Grundy Click Here to view large photo

It's a well known fact that some of the female population is really quite average at reading maps
(this writer included), apart from those amazing women who do the fairer sex proud with their navigational ability and well developed skill in knowing how to find their way around a chart, map or street directory.

Well, it would appear that it's not just girls with the learning and interprative challenges in the map department, as has been boldly pointed out at Sail Port Stephens this week.

All names in this story have been omitted to protect the innocent (and not so innocent...), but over a few glasses of Wild Oats Shiraz Viognier, the crew from Secret Men's Business #1 have downloaded some onboard tales about the hiccups that their navigator endured on the first day of the regatta.

This multi tasking navi-guesser has taken on many roles over the years in his long term commitment to the SMB crew, progressing (or regressing, depends on which way you look at it... ) from a stint as bowman, to some quality time in the Pit, a couple of campaigns as Cook...and now, at the Nav Desk..

Without going into too finer details, there was a fair bit of discussion at one point of the Amber Triangle course during today's 1st race of the Commodores Cup between helmsman and nav about which direction the boat needed to be going.

This was then followed by a rather spirited argument about up or down, left or right, port or starboard, with the rush of information and pressure just all a cruel way of messing with the nav's mind ( or according to him that's what they were doing anyway...)

It was eventually discovered that the key issue was that the map was not exactly being positioned the right way up....prompting the inevitable stirring to begin with comments that started with things like 'Upside down Miss Jane' - ( ie: think of the days of Mr Squiggle on the ABC when he was trying to explain something he'd drawn and she didn't get it, and after much frustration at her not being able to truly grasp the magnificent art work he had created, he simply blurted out ' Upside Down Miss Jane...!'

And it all ended with a defiant statement from the multi tasker that went something like
'oh look...! Cooks don't read maps - okay !!! '

SMB #1 crew grabs a sandwich in between discussions about map angles - Sail Port Stephens - Dominic Grundy Click Here to view large photo

Other than that entertaining little episode, all is great in the world of Secret Men's Business #1, who are all having a wonderful time at Sail Port Stephens.

In today's racing, the boat was more like it's alter ego, Secret Women's Business, with 3 wives and 4 daughters all on board - loving the sailing and relaxing holiday combination that Port Stephens offers.

After a fun get together at Peppers Anchorage for the Wild Oats Wines Sunset BBQ tonight, it was an early night for the boys and girls young and old from RPAYC in Sydney's north, with the legacy of having put in a few energetic social efforts over the last 3 days - catching up with them ever so slightly - and rather than peak too early, they took the 9:45 bus home. Sensible... ( if they went home to bed for a good 8 hours sleep... !).

Racing continues after a sleep in, and a good breakfast, with a very civilised 12:30pm start in Nelson Bay.

Since its inception, Sail Port Stephens has had invaluable resource support from Business Port Stephens, an initiative of Port Stephens Council, and the inaugural group of Foundation Partners in Nelson Bay Diggers, All Seasons Salamander Shores, Peppers Anchorage and Shoal Bay Resort and Spa have, even in tough economic times, all continued to believe in the long term vision for the regatta and what it brings to the region.

International sailing clothing brand, SLAM, continue their support as the Official Clothing supplier, and d'Albora Marina are a great partner with their on-site support and special deals for regatta participants.

Newcomers to the Supporting Partner group for 2009 include Wild Oats Wines as the Official Wine Partner of the Regatta and Tooheys New White Stag - full strength low carb beer, as the Official Beer of the event.