Sunday, May 11th saw
Race Four once again battling against inconsistent wind. Having got Mother’s Day (morning)
over and done the Hobie 16s lined up for another anticipated exciting day of
racing. The course was set for
start/finish off the Yacht Club, the windward mark at the Origin Energy green
channel marker and the downwind mark off Sadies by the Sea.
The four yachts were, McConnell
Dowell, skipper Will Southon and crew Erika Radawagen, PCS-TV, skipper Bill
Hyman and crew Keku Pratt, Asco Toyota, skipper Grant Crombie and crew Marta
Gutierrez, and PPYC 1, Zac Chevez-Tafur skipper with Kani Pratt as crew.
RACE 1:
Race 1 saw all boats away to a
good start lead by PCS-TV, Asco Toyota, McConnell Dowell and PPYC 1. The course to the upwind mark was
pretty uneventful and all the boats took the mark in the same order. The downwind run saw PPYC 1
overhaul McConnell Dowell to take third place. Once around Sadies mark it was a
short run to the finish. PCS-TV, Asco Toyota, PPYC 1 and
McConnell Dowell all finishing in that order, with only a few boat lengths
separating the fleet.
<<>>
RACE 2:<>>
Due to a change in the wind direction the windward
mark was moved to the AUA Green Channel marker. Asco Toyota was first away from
the start followed closely by PPYC 1, McConnell Dowell and PCS-TV right in
behind. All the contestants kept with the
starboard tack towards the windward mark. As is usual with flukey winds the
upwind beat saw a change of order and PCS-TV was first around the mark
with Asco Toyota, PPYC 1 and McConnell Dowell pressing hard from behind. With light winds the downwind run
was uneventful with all boats holding their places at the Sadie’s mark. As the boats rounded the last mark
there was a lift in the wind resulting in a sprint to the finish enabling all
the boats to close up on the leader, but PCS-TV held out to take a win from
PPYC 1, Asco Toyota and McConnell Dowell.
RACE 3:
A rain squall hit the fleet before
race three could get under way, but all the boats stayed upright and were ready
for the start once the squall had passed. At the start whistle Asco Toyota
was caught on the wrong tack, and although they were away first they had to
tack early losing ground on the rest of the fleet. PPYC 1 was first to the windward
mark with McConnell Dowell and PCS-TV closing up rapidly.
Around the mark and the race was
on to the downwind mark, with PPYC 1 holding on grimly to the lead and PCS-TV
slipping past McConnell Dowell. Asco Toyota made substantial gains
on the downwind run but not enough to challenge the leading yachts. Once around the downwind mark it
was all stops out to the finish with PPYC 1 taking the line from PCS-TV,
McConnell Dowell and Asco Toyota taking a credible fourth place.
RACE 4:
The last race for the day saw an
excellent start by PCS-TV ahead of
PPYC 1 Asco Toyota and McConnell
Dowell. As the wind increased slightly the
fleet was able to make the upwind mark with only one tack making ita bit of a
juggle for position around the mark. PCS-TV made the top mark three
boat lengths ahead of PPYC 1 with Asco Toyota and McConnell Dowell following by
several boat lengths. Downwind and Asco Toyota set out
after PPYC 1. With the advantage of being behind
Asco Toyota hauled in PPYC 1 and pulled along side and the two yachts sailed
inches apart towards the downwind mark. Asco Toyota had the right of way
at the mark making PPYC 1 go wide giving away a couple of boat lengths in the
process. Around the mark and PPYC 1 used all
his skill and an increased wind overtake Asco Toyota in a sprint to the finish. Meantime PCS-TV had crossed the
line and McConnell Dowell came in close fourth. Although the days sailing was
frustrated with flukey winds and a shorter course, the sailors enjoyed the
friendly competition on the water and look forward to the next days racing,
Sunday, May 25th. At the end of the day’s racing the
points are: PCS-TV 12, Asco Toyota, 25 PPYC 1, 38 and McConnell Dowell, 41
Starter and judge for the day was
John Goeke.
Our appreciation goes to the
sponsors of the PPYC sailing program, Ace Hardware, ANZ Bank, Asco Yamaha, Beca
Pacific, Blue Sky, BP South West Pacific, Cost-u-Less,
Hamburg Sud, Rotary, Sadie’s Hotels,
Steffany Group and also the sponsors of the Hobie 16s.
Last Modified on 31/05/2008 11:55