June 22nd and the wind
promised an exiting afternoon’s racing on the water. The course was set with the
windward mark being the Red channel marker off Blunt Point across to the Green
marker off Origin Energy and the down wind mark off Sadie’s by The Sea. Although the winds were light it
was a fun day on the waves and a great time was enjoyed by all.
RACE 1:
The first race got under way with
a well spaced start with all four boats taking the starboard tack to the center
of the harbor. PCS-TV tacked early followed by
PPYC-1 in close quarter. McConnell Dowell and Asco Toyota
held the starboard tack further out before tacking.
The shorter tacks proved faster
and PCS-TV cleared the windward mark with a slight lead over PPYC-1 followed
some distance back to McConnell Dowell and Asco Toyota. A quick reach across to the Origin
mark and all the boats spread their sails for the downwind drag race to Sadies
mark. Luckily Asco Toyota found better
wind and was able to outrun McConnell Dowell to the mark and cross the line in third
place after PCS-TV 1st and PPYC-1 2nd.
RACE 2:
PCS-TV sprinted across the start
with McConnell Dowell and Asco Toyota in hot pursuit. Unfortunately PPYC-1 was unable to
start due to the failure of the Jib halyard. Learning from the first race
McConnell Dowell and Asco Toyota kept close tabs on PCS-TV tacking at the same
time.
The boats rounded the windward
mark in the order of PCS-TV, Asco Toyota and McConnell Dowell. The reach and downwind run saw no
change in the order and boats crossed the line in quick succession with only
three to four boat lengths apart.
RACE 3:
PPYC-1 was back in the hunt and
got away to an excellent start right behind PCS-TV with McConnell Dowell and
Asco Toyota not far behind.
All boats opted for the starboard
tack and tacked early keeping to the western side of the harbor. Nearing the windward mark Asco
Toyota was able to sail closer to the wind and make the mark with one less tack
moving up a place on PPYC-1. An easy reach saw all the boats
round the Origin mark holding the same order and with all sails wide heading
down wind to Sadies. With dying winds there was no
challenge from the trailing boats and PCS-TV took the finish with Asco Toyota,
PPYC-1 and McConnell Dowell following by several boats lengths.
RACE 4:
PCS-TV changed skipper for this
race and Nick Tait (the stand in crew) took the helm. PPYC-1 was first across the start
followed by Asco Toyota, both on the starboard tack with PCS-TV a late starter. McConnell Dowell chose to start on
the port tack and sliced across the back of Asco Toyota at speed. McConnell Dowell’s decision to
take the port tack paid huge dividends and gave an insurmountable lead at the
windward mark. Asco Toyota was able to move ahead
of PPYC-1 and PCS-TV with Nick on the tiller a credible 4th. With McConnell Dowell well in the
lead Asco Toyota and PPYC-1 thrashed it out on the downwind run to Sadies. McConnell Dowell cruised to the
finish while Asco Toyota managed to hold off the challenge for 2nd
from PPYC-1 and PCS-TV 4th. Congratulations to McConnell
Dowell’s team of Will Southon and Lindsey Murray.
At the end of the day’s racing the
points are: PCS-TV 24, Asco Toyota 40, McConnell Dowell, 65 and PPYC 1, 76.
As John Goeke and Erika Radewagen
were sailing PPYC-1 there was no official starter, but in the spirit of good
sportsmanship the sailors did their own countdown to the starts.
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 03/07/2008 12:12