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11:46 PM Tue 18 Nov 2008 GMT
For the second week in a row, strong winds pushed the Royal Geelong Yacht Club fleet around on Saturday 15th November, creating hassles for some and joy for others.
In division 1, 'eXtasea' (Paul Buchholz), 'Cinquante' (Ian Murray) and 'Mocean' (Rob Wallis) lead away with 'Fabulous Action' (Jonothan Apted), 'Juno' (Kym Murphy) and 'Spirit' (Dale Robertson/Guyon Wilson) fighting the weather behind them. As the wind peaked in gusts, sometimes reaching the top 30s, most boats elected to boom out the headsail while the adventurous flew kites finding it rather tricky to hold a straight course as the wind gusted up to 39 knots.
At the finish, 'eXtasea' got the hooter followed by 'Cinquante', 'Mocean', 'Juno', 'Spirit' and 'Fabulous Action' all crossing with 131/2 minutes!
On handicap it was 'Spirit' 1st followed by 'Mocean' 2nd. and new boat, 'Fabulous Action' was third.
The unlucky award for this week goes to 'Larriken 2' who, despite rumours of wild gybes and all that sort of thing were actually dealt a major blow in their program.
Here's an edited version of what Darren Pickering had to say after the race.
'We had an awesome start to the season and went into Saturdays race with a comfortable cushion of 6 points to the next competitor. Then things didn't quite go to plan. We had a good battle with 'Hocus Pocus' (Kym Clarke) and 'Valiant' (Gerry O'Brien) going upwind in the first leg. 'Larriken' rounded the top mark ahead of this tight group and hoisted the kite to speed off downhill in about 20 knots of breeze.'
Apparently the mood was pretty good amongst the crew despite a dry boat rule on Saturdays. They reckon it's a bit ironic as they are sponsored by a purveyor of wine!
Back to Darren's story. 'After gybing down the first run, we were approaching the bottom mark with the crew enjoying a fast kite run. Suddenly, without warning, the backstay broke half way up, Bec Bohling was hanging onto the backstay, and, as it fell into her hand, she knew what was to come next wasn't going to be fun.'
'I knew there was something wrong when I saw the mainsail falling forward which seemed to happen quite slowly. The end of the boom started to rise as it was dragged forward with the mast. This was followed by a shocking noise as the mast broke about 6 foot above the deck!' ( Bob's note - As Larriken 2 is sponsored by Scott Austin's, Six Foot Six wine brand, it wasn't the six foot reference they were looking for! - - Back to Darren.) 'The boom continued to be dragged towards the bow and then snapped at the vang. I think we all knew then, that our day was done.' (Bob says, 'That's incredible perception!!' Sorry Darren! Back to your story) - We deployed our anchor, it grabbed hard and we started to assess this horribly messy situation because the problem of being holed by our own mast became a real possibility.'
'We all worked well as a team, trying to get the remnants of our mast and sails back on board. Sadly, the 12 metre long rig was not playing the game and with most of the crew trying to fend it off the hull, the rest of us had to do the unthinkable and cut it away.' Darren continues saying, 'I thought if we didn't get this thing away from the boat, the spreaders, which were really bashing hard against the hull, might have taken the entire boat down to Davey Jones' locker.'
Part owner, Stefan Treurneit adds that a swimmer was deployed into the water (wearing a PFD and a line attached) as part of the (ultimately) futile attempt to at least recover some sails. No unnecessary risks were involved.
Darren ends with, 'Our thanks go to the volunteers on 'Alpha 1' who stood by us until we had the situation under control. We now have to play the 'Get-A-Mast-Fast' game and hopefully, we will soon be back on track to get amongst the results.'
Well described fellows, good luck with the GAMF (Get-A-Mast-Fast) from your fellow competitors. I understand there are many who share your grief, but many more are relieved that - - at last - - the BOOM BOX has been silenced!!!
To the Etchells where the wind caused a few hectic moments. Mary Hanna and 'Free Advice' was pirouetting in that oscillating wind area near the Silos but still managed to keep 'New Wave' (Peter La Fontaine) at bay to be third home. Second was 'Wasabi' (Dean Stephens) and the mighty 'Moe' (Brendan Garner) was first.
In Div. 2. the lead changed several times as first 'French Connection' (Brian Marshman), then 'Jimmy Blacksmith' took the lead. 'Spirit of Rani' (Ian Robottom) and 'Reverie' ((Syn. Reverie) was right up with them, both sailing a really good race. 'Blue Eagle' (Tom Woodlock) was having a battle with 'Braveheart' (Jack Engwerda), 'Baltic' (Peter Bone) was ahead of 'Coromandell III' (Roger McLennan) and 'Six Foot Ten' (Geoff Baum) was chasing 'The Bookie' (John Garner). Ahead of them were 'Flying Circus' (Don Collins) and 'Hands Off' (Grant St. Quentin) with just a couple of minutes separating them.
At the finish it was Line Honours to 'Jimmy Blacksmith' (John Sykes/Bob UmHauer) with the fated 'Spirit of Rani' finishing second, 'French Connection' was next followed by 'Revere' and 'Baltic'. 'Spirit of Rani' was 'scrubbed' being OCS at the start and 'Andy' considered his handicap point should go to 'Braveheart' (Jack Engwerda) for 1st. 2nd. to 'Baltic' (Peter Bone) & 3rd. Reverie' (Reverie Syn.).
Div. 3. Line Honours went to 'Fleurieu Warrior' (Trevor Brown) after a very windy race where 'Highland Ghost' (Paul Douglas) tore their Genoa. This didn't restrict the 'Ghost' too much as they came 3rd. on handicap. 'Lucky Lady' (Ray Goodwin) was 1st. and 'Bolle' (Jan van Hulsan) was 2nd.
Results click here
www.rgyc.com.au
by Bob Appleton
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Norseman Airport, WA
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