left -Future Feedback - right Zenith
Blackout
Future Feedback
Earlier shot of instruments,
Too busy later when we hit 18.8
Clear Vision is a "Young 11" keelboat owned by Kevin Skelton and is based in Nelson, New Zealand.
Build year: 1986; LOA 11.02m; Beam 3.78m; Draft 2.13m, Weight 4.0T; Mast 13.5m; IRC(2010) 1.060
Monday, March 30, 2015
NELSON - TARAKOHE RACE Friday 27th
We always look forward to this overnight race and the weekend that goes with it.
Crew - Kev, Steve, Jenna, Alix, Knoxy, Matt and Howdie.
1800 start in a light northerly and a forecast of light breezes, Predict wind had some easterly out in the bay and fickeled up the coastline, which way do we go?
Out the entrance, we tacked up the boulder bank to clear our air from yet another bad start, we crossed tacks with Future Feedback a couple of times each time they threw a cover on us, each time we tacked away, this had us further up the bay bit that's were we had decided to go anyway.
By sunset the 7 boat fleet were spread out over the bay 4 of us out to the NE, 3, lead by Ballistic heading up the western coast.
The breeze lightened off but backed a little to the east, enough to go to our bigger jib top, the easterly backing had us a little more confident of easterly, Future Feedback was on our stern and had gained a little to within 100 metres, once jib top and inner staysail were set we slowly pulled away,
The midnight sked, and things didn't look good, Ballistic in on the coast had a big lead over, Blackout, Zenith, Columbus, C V Future Feedback, the coastline had payed, soon after we were in the offshore westerly they had had, for us it was catch up time,
We went from jib top to kite in the shifty light conditions, at times we had nothing, we slowly pulled in Columbus, then Zenith for 3rd place, we could see lights ahead in the distance but the slow drift to Tarakohe continued without us closing.
This the longest race to Tarakohe I can remember? we finally crossed the line at Port Tarakohe heads at 0727, 13 hours 27 minutes of light air, very trying.
A long way off the Oldsmobile record of 5 hours 50 minutes.
Ballistic had finished at 0631, Blackout 0706, Future Feedback back in 4th at 0815.
Ballistic in their 1st Tarakohe race took out both 1st and fastest, well done.
C V wearing the highest handicap only managed 5th would have been 7th had Columbus and Zenith not retired. but that's the Tarakohe race.
Another ripper if a party which continued all day and then onto prize giving at the Pohara Boat Club where once again Amy supplied all with a delicious BBQ meal.
Sunday, the usual sore heads, but at least the heavy overnight rain had passed through and a 15 knot westerly in the bay for the 10am start.
Crew - Kev, Steve, Jenna, Alix, Knoxy, Matt and Howdie.
1800 start in a light northerly and a forecast of light breezes, Predict wind had some easterly out in the bay and fickeled up the coastline, which way do we go?
Out the entrance, we tacked up the boulder bank to clear our air from yet another bad start, we crossed tacks with Future Feedback a couple of times each time they threw a cover on us, each time we tacked away, this had us further up the bay bit that's were we had decided to go anyway.
By sunset the 7 boat fleet were spread out over the bay 4 of us out to the NE, 3, lead by Ballistic heading up the western coast.
The breeze lightened off but backed a little to the east, enough to go to our bigger jib top, the easterly backing had us a little more confident of easterly, Future Feedback was on our stern and had gained a little to within 100 metres, once jib top and inner staysail were set we slowly pulled away,
The midnight sked, and things didn't look good, Ballistic in on the coast had a big lead over, Blackout, Zenith, Columbus, C V Future Feedback, the coastline had payed, soon after we were in the offshore westerly they had had, for us it was catch up time,
We went from jib top to kite in the shifty light conditions, at times we had nothing, we slowly pulled in Columbus, then Zenith for 3rd place, we could see lights ahead in the distance but the slow drift to Tarakohe continued without us closing.
This the longest race to Tarakohe I can remember? we finally crossed the line at Port Tarakohe heads at 0727, 13 hours 27 minutes of light air, very trying.
A long way off the Oldsmobile record of 5 hours 50 minutes.
Ballistic had finished at 0631, Blackout 0706, Future Feedback back in 4th at 0815.
Ballistic in their 1st Tarakohe race took out both 1st and fastest, well done.
C V wearing the highest handicap only managed 5th would have been 7th had Columbus and Zenith not retired. but that's the Tarakohe race.
Sun sets over the bay,
Sunday, the usual sore heads, but at least the heavy overnight rain had passed through and a 15 knot westerly in the bay for the 10am start.
Lining up for the start, Clear Vision far right, Future Feedback 3rd from right
Approaching the start line
We're off. C V and Blackout
We carried our No 1 jib top off the reaching start then added the inner staysail once underway, Future Feedback lead off the start we slotted into 2nd with Black and Zenith to leeward, the 46 foot Zenith loved the reaching conditions and after an aggressive move up under F F took over the lead.
Blackout climbed out to weather to pop a gennaka but Zenith, FF and ourselves had straight lined it to Separation Point, We hoisted kites as soon as we could and side by side the 2 Young 11's took over the lead,
We both ran side by side toward Nelson in 13 - 15 knots of NW, 35 miles off matching boat speed to go?
Half way home F F had opened up a lead of around 500 metres, the breeze had built and we now had 20 knots and building, we were surfing up in the 16 - 17s at this stage.
We had carried over on starboard gybe to the marine farms, Future Feedback out the other side, this would be interesting when we meet at the finish in the harbour entrance.
We gybed onto port for the last run to the harbour entrance, about 3 - 4 miles off we had some 27 knot gusts C V started to feel a little on edge as we were down in the shallow area of the bay and short steep waves made things a little exciting and speeds close to 18 knots, then another 27 gust down a wave and crashed through the back of a bigger one, 17 - 18 - 18.2 - 18.4 - 18.8, the highest speed we have reached in the 2 years on C V, not bad for an old cruiser?
We were charging in on port, as the breeze started to head us a bit and more gusts which meant bering away more, F F had dropped their kite short of the harbour entrance, we now sniffed a win, if only we could carry the kite all the way?
We couldn't, 100 metres short and we lost her, pinged the kite, retrieved it from across the waves, crossing a few seconds behind Future Feedback.
A quick trip home 4 hours 3 minutes, to do 45 miles, just checking, but I think Future Feedback may have a record for this one.
Last race for the summer series this Wednesday, Ladies race and closing day Sunday 12th, then that's it for summer.
Winter series ahead though.
We had carried over on starboard gybe to the marine farms, Future Feedback out the other side, this would be interesting when we meet at the finish in the harbour entrance.
We gybed onto port for the last run to the harbour entrance, about 3 - 4 miles off we had some 27 knot gusts C V started to feel a little on edge as we were down in the shallow area of the bay and short steep waves made things a little exciting and speeds close to 18 knots, then another 27 gust down a wave and crashed through the back of a bigger one, 17 - 18 - 18.2 - 18.4 - 18.8, the highest speed we have reached in the 2 years on C V, not bad for an old cruiser?
We were charging in on port, as the breeze started to head us a bit and more gusts which meant bering away more, F F had dropped their kite short of the harbour entrance, we now sniffed a win, if only we could carry the kite all the way?
We couldn't, 100 metres short and we lost her, pinged the kite, retrieved it from across the waves, crossing a few seconds behind Future Feedback.
A quick trip home 4 hours 3 minutes, to do 45 miles, just checking, but I think Future Feedback may have a record for this one.
Last race for the summer series this Wednesday, Ladies race and closing day Sunday 12th, then that's it for summer.
Winter series ahead though.
BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Wed 25th Race 9
Another 10 - 12 knot northerly for this the 2nd last Wed night race. Again not a great start, no excuses like last week? just ended up to leeward of Future Feedback and 2nd last out the harbour entrance along with Blackout.
Outside we were rapped in dirty air from Smak and Future Feedback, we tacked away once we had enough water clear of the entrance, only room for a short one, but next tack back we were clear of F F coming back to us on port.
We continued out to the lay line, tacked back for the long board on port, slowly gathering in all but Ballistic out in front, Blackout ahead to leeward would be close, however we had overlaid the mark and ended up rounding in 3rd on Blackout's stern.
Blackout had a slow gennaka hoist, letting us roll over them on the way to Boulder middle which we rounded 5 boat lengths behind Ballistic, Blackout 4 behind us.
We carried on into the boulder bank while both Blackout and Ballistic had tacked out. as we came back out on Starboard we were just ahead of both, we crossed Ballistic then tacked on Blackout's bow forcing them to tack away, however we had pushed them out to better pressure and lost the lead at our next cross at the top mark.
Around the top mark 4 boat lengths behind for the run home, it was still a 3 boat race with Ballistic only 100 metres back and known to be a fast runner down hill.
But we manage to work hard enough to run down inside Blackout, they gybed back to us crossing just ahead continuing into the bank, we carried on to the lay line to the entrance. this time crossing ahead.
We lead into the cut but only 2-3 boat lengths in it, as we hugged the pile line we had a couple of bumps on the flat rock between 2 & 3 piles, at low water it sits waiting for the forgetful?
This wee bump reminded me of some years ago the same scenario on Oldsmobile, in the lead but this time flying a gennaka, bumped on the rock which unbalanced her, we rounded up and on our side up the boulder bank,
Outside we were rapped in dirty air from Smak and Future Feedback, we tacked away once we had enough water clear of the entrance, only room for a short one, but next tack back we were clear of F F coming back to us on port.
We continued out to the lay line, tacked back for the long board on port, slowly gathering in all but Ballistic out in front, Blackout ahead to leeward would be close, however we had overlaid the mark and ended up rounding in 3rd on Blackout's stern.
Blackout had a slow gennaka hoist, letting us roll over them on the way to Boulder middle which we rounded 5 boat lengths behind Ballistic, Blackout 4 behind us.
We carried on into the boulder bank while both Blackout and Ballistic had tacked out. as we came back out on Starboard we were just ahead of both, we crossed Ballistic then tacked on Blackout's bow forcing them to tack away, however we had pushed them out to better pressure and lost the lead at our next cross at the top mark.
Around the top mark 4 boat lengths behind for the run home, it was still a 3 boat race with Ballistic only 100 metres back and known to be a fast runner down hill.
But we manage to work hard enough to run down inside Blackout, they gybed back to us crossing just ahead continuing into the bank, we carried on to the lay line to the entrance. this time crossing ahead.
We lead into the cut but only 2-3 boat lengths in it, as we hugged the pile line we had a couple of bumps on the flat rock between 2 & 3 piles, at low water it sits waiting for the forgetful?
This wee bump reminded me of some years ago the same scenario on Oldsmobile, in the lead but this time flying a gennaka, bumped on the rock which unbalanced her, we rounded up and on our side up the boulder bank,
This time we got away with it, however the breeze had swung to the west a little and we were instead of the normal hard on to the line, only laying the middle of the line, harder to defend as Blackout had tacked to clear their air, we tacked back to cover, tacking to weather of them, but they had bore away for speed, breaking from under us, and taking the gun by 10 seconds, a great race however with 3 boats sharing the lead throughout the race.
3rd on handicap at now enough points bagged to take the series, we only need to start next week.
Friday Tarakohe - Nelson race and weekend coming next
Thursday, March 19, 2015
BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 8 Wed 18th
It all seemed too hard to go sailing Wed night, Old people need to rest? And I hadn't had much?
I had a ship to bring in at 1630, should be ok normally an hour to berth a ship, Steve and I could be picked up from the Tug at 1730 and be on the start at 1750. what a plan!
Only trouble it all took a little longer to berth the ship, we jumped onto C V from the tug as the 5 minute sounded, the main up at the 4 minute, jib up engine off and run to the line, 30 seconds late?
Not a lot different to the past 3 weeks?
15 knot northerly though NICE.
Only 5 of us in Div 1, so out the entrance in 5th on the transom of Future Feedback, we got to number 1 beacon gaining speed after stalling on their stern, and shoved C V's bow up inside FF, however FF had gone high and we were both head to wind, only our bow was almost tapping on their starboard quarter while my starboard quarter was only 100 mm from the barnacle covered steel pile?
We both fell away to gain speed but we couldn't quite get high enough to clear our air, once out a wee way and enough water to the right we tacked onto port for clear air and out of the flood tide until we run out of water then back out on starboard to find we were well clear of Future Feedback and close to Wild Thing and Ballistic, a longer tack back in this time with Ballistic coming out on starboard, we were bow to bow, too big to dip so tack on their bow, beautiful tack to leeward, built speed then started to squeeze them up, they were forced to tack away onto port, we tacked back a little later for the long port tack to the top mark.
We had pulled back both Ballistic and Wild Thing, only Blackout ahead and to leeward about 250 metres away, we were slowly pulling them in, but out of no where they found a high mode? Slowly they came up from under us to lee bowing us? as we were close to the top we hung in on their hip then followed them in to the top mark.
We both had good hoists with no change down to Boulder middle although we had used our fractional for this short run to save a repack on the short up leg.
Around Boulder middle and only 2 boat lengths in it as we tacked away onto starboard, we were now in a bit of traffic as the Div 2 boats were also using the top mark and home, so managing slower traffic was going to be important.
We meet again at the top with about the same gap but we had to follow Blackout and Freerider into the mark.
Another good hoist, this time the heavy masthead kite, we had set above both boats, rolled over Freerider as they were still setting their kite, Blackout came high under gennaka across our bow, no good fighting as we would have trouble holding the masthead in a luffing match, so we run down flatter to the entrance using waves and pressure as mach as we could.
Blackout had run down under Zena, the Young 9.9, finding themselves trapped under them not able to break through, meanwhile we were picking our way through traffic best we could.
We opened up a good 500m ahead and to leeward which we held to the finish line.
!st on line, 1 minute ahead of Blackout in 2nd,Wild Thing 3rd 5 minutes behind, Future Feedback only 10 seconds behind Wild Thing.
A great race and another handicap win, we are now 9 points ahead of Future Feedback and Blackout both sharing 2nd overall. 2 more to go.
I had a ship to bring in at 1630, should be ok normally an hour to berth a ship, Steve and I could be picked up from the Tug at 1730 and be on the start at 1750. what a plan!
Only trouble it all took a little longer to berth the ship, we jumped onto C V from the tug as the 5 minute sounded, the main up at the 4 minute, jib up engine off and run to the line, 30 seconds late?
Not a lot different to the past 3 weeks?
15 knot northerly though NICE.
Only 5 of us in Div 1, so out the entrance in 5th on the transom of Future Feedback, we got to number 1 beacon gaining speed after stalling on their stern, and shoved C V's bow up inside FF, however FF had gone high and we were both head to wind, only our bow was almost tapping on their starboard quarter while my starboard quarter was only 100 mm from the barnacle covered steel pile?
We both fell away to gain speed but we couldn't quite get high enough to clear our air, once out a wee way and enough water to the right we tacked onto port for clear air and out of the flood tide until we run out of water then back out on starboard to find we were well clear of Future Feedback and close to Wild Thing and Ballistic, a longer tack back in this time with Ballistic coming out on starboard, we were bow to bow, too big to dip so tack on their bow, beautiful tack to leeward, built speed then started to squeeze them up, they were forced to tack away onto port, we tacked back a little later for the long port tack to the top mark.
We had pulled back both Ballistic and Wild Thing, only Blackout ahead and to leeward about 250 metres away, we were slowly pulling them in, but out of no where they found a high mode? Slowly they came up from under us to lee bowing us? as we were close to the top we hung in on their hip then followed them in to the top mark.
We both had good hoists with no change down to Boulder middle although we had used our fractional for this short run to save a repack on the short up leg.
Around Boulder middle and only 2 boat lengths in it as we tacked away onto starboard, we were now in a bit of traffic as the Div 2 boats were also using the top mark and home, so managing slower traffic was going to be important.
We meet again at the top with about the same gap but we had to follow Blackout and Freerider into the mark.
Another good hoist, this time the heavy masthead kite, we had set above both boats, rolled over Freerider as they were still setting their kite, Blackout came high under gennaka across our bow, no good fighting as we would have trouble holding the masthead in a luffing match, so we run down flatter to the entrance using waves and pressure as mach as we could.
Blackout had run down under Zena, the Young 9.9, finding themselves trapped under them not able to break through, meanwhile we were picking our way through traffic best we could.
We opened up a good 500m ahead and to leeward which we held to the finish line.
!st on line, 1 minute ahead of Blackout in 2nd,Wild Thing 3rd 5 minutes behind, Future Feedback only 10 seconds behind Wild Thing.
A great race and another handicap win, we are now 9 points ahead of Future Feedback and Blackout both sharing 2nd overall. 2 more to go.
BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 7 Wed 11th March
A bit late with this one properly because our race wasn't great?
A bad start, "again" last out the entrance "again"? To make matters worse the 8 knot breeze was out of the west so cracked sheets up to Boulder middle, meant no passing lanes,
Wild Thing and Smak both loving the conditions out front, with Future Feedback, in 3rd, Blackout 4th with us to leeward of them, Redline further out to weather and behind.
Blackout managed a wee burst near the top mark rounding in 3rd, we were sitll back in 5th with only Redline close by on our stern,
Once around it was very tight for a kite, too tight we decided, the boats ahead had gone for gennaka's, but struggling, Future Feedback setting up a kite, while we decided to 2 sail reach to the Lighthouse shoal then may Pop one as we freed up a little?
We were doing ok, all 4 ahead struggling, we were making ground up slowly, but they all made it outside the shoal as we were hoisting our kite and the slight gain had gone again, we weren't looking flash, the possible, no probable 5th on line and last on handicap wasn't something we were happy with.
But as they say "It's not over till the fat lady sings" and she hadn't.
As we came through the entrance, all 4 ahead were trying to carry gennaka's / kites to the line, Wild Thing up front was rounding up and laying on their side, Blackout, was powered up dropping down the line, Smak and Future Feedback both over the club end of the line in little or no wind?
We decided to drop the kite before the gust that had hit Wild Thing and Blackout hit us, a messy drop but we eventually retrieved it (out of the water) hardened up hugging the pile line to the finish,
Wild Thing and Blackout had finished, but Smak and Future Feedback were still soft over by the Club end, both now dropping kite & gennaka, we managed to sneak in for 3rd, only by 10 seconds, from Future Feedback who finished only 10 ahead of Smak.
A good come back but 5th on handicap, we lost overall points to both Future Feedback and Blackout, so now only 5 ahead of future feedback, Blackout only 1 point behind FF now.
Saturday, Sunday, Monday had me back on the water as I had volunteered C V as Start/Committee boat for the Optimist Nationals being hosted by Nelson Yacht Club.
These kids throw their little boats around and don't mind a bit of barging on the line as the odd scar on the topsides of C V show, but I enjoyed being involved, and some cutting and polishing will have her looking sharp again
A bad start, "again" last out the entrance "again"? To make matters worse the 8 knot breeze was out of the west so cracked sheets up to Boulder middle, meant no passing lanes,
Wild Thing and Smak both loving the conditions out front, with Future Feedback, in 3rd, Blackout 4th with us to leeward of them, Redline further out to weather and behind.
Blackout managed a wee burst near the top mark rounding in 3rd, we were sitll back in 5th with only Redline close by on our stern,
Once around it was very tight for a kite, too tight we decided, the boats ahead had gone for gennaka's, but struggling, Future Feedback setting up a kite, while we decided to 2 sail reach to the Lighthouse shoal then may Pop one as we freed up a little?
We were doing ok, all 4 ahead struggling, we were making ground up slowly, but they all made it outside the shoal as we were hoisting our kite and the slight gain had gone again, we weren't looking flash, the possible, no probable 5th on line and last on handicap wasn't something we were happy with.
But as they say "It's not over till the fat lady sings" and she hadn't.
As we came through the entrance, all 4 ahead were trying to carry gennaka's / kites to the line, Wild Thing up front was rounding up and laying on their side, Blackout, was powered up dropping down the line, Smak and Future Feedback both over the club end of the line in little or no wind?
We decided to drop the kite before the gust that had hit Wild Thing and Blackout hit us, a messy drop but we eventually retrieved it (out of the water) hardened up hugging the pile line to the finish,
Wild Thing and Blackout had finished, but Smak and Future Feedback were still soft over by the Club end, both now dropping kite & gennaka, we managed to sneak in for 3rd, only by 10 seconds, from Future Feedback who finished only 10 ahead of Smak.
A good come back but 5th on handicap, we lost overall points to both Future Feedback and Blackout, so now only 5 ahead of future feedback, Blackout only 1 point behind FF now.
Saturday, Sunday, Monday had me back on the water as I had volunteered C V as Start/Committee boat for the Optimist Nationals being hosted by Nelson Yacht Club.
These kids throw their little boats around and don't mind a bit of barging on the line as the odd scar on the topsides of C V show, but I enjoyed being involved, and some cutting and polishing will have her looking sharp again
Friday, March 6, 2015
BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 6
We were pleased with yet another sea breeze at 12-14 knots, although too strong for No 1 Genoa and perfect for No 2 light, But if it drops we my have a problem as we know, Future Feedback will carry their No 1 heavy, we don't have one. They did.
Crew :- Kev, Patrick, Steve, Knoxy, Matt, Aaron. (No girls tonight?)
Always a little disadvantaged on a No 2 off the start as we lack horsepower for the reach to the pile line and entrance, tonight would be worse as we also had a 500m reach from the entrance to Beacon 0.
Plan! a good start to leeward with clear air, the club end, giving us a tighter reach,
The actual start ? middle of the line to weather of Future Feedback and luffed up the line, complete opposite to our pre start planning?
Again only 7 in Div 1, 6th out the entrance to Pile 0, only Smak behind us, Future Feedback ahead, while Blackout out front had clear air, along with an incoming tide which meant flatter water our chances weren't looking great.
At Pile 0 Ballistic tacked onto port early, and up the Boulder Bank to clear their air from Blackout. Wild Thing, Redline and Future Feedback all tacking as they cleared their air, then finally Blackout.
We were now the only boat heading out on starboard, although the tide was coming in we were only in the 1st hour of flood, so looking like more pressure out a bit ? we pushed on for a bit.
Once in better pressure and a wee knock, we tacked onto port, all the rest except Ballistic were coming back out on starboard, As we approached F F we had a to either dip them or lee bow tack, I love lee bows, so through onto starboard, a nice tack, managing to build speed before they rolled us, now up to speed we could take advantage of our pointing on our No 2 and started to squeeze them up, until they were forced to tack away.
We tacked back in soon after, Blackout coming out on starboard, would be our next cross and was looking close, in fact we were now Bow to bow with them, nice catch up considering our 6th at the bottom, we tacked onto starboard to leeward rather than dip them, once up to speed we were a little quicker, surprising considering breeze and flatter sea.
Blackout went back into the Boulder Bank while we went out a little further as it still looked like slightly better breeze but a little more tide.
We tacked back in to keep in touch, next cross we crossed Blackout's bow by about 4 metres, we were now in 2nd place too Ballistic, not bad? we had taken 5 boats and only half way up the beat.
Ballistic meanwhile had enjoyed a quite sail up the Bank on their own, while the rest of us crossed tacks fighting with each other. They were close in with less tide, we were 100 metres to weather, behind, more breeze, more tide, but we were slowly reeling them in.
Three quarters the way up the beat we rolled over Ballistic and into 1st place, around Boulder north mark, nice kite hoist and off down to Boulder middle, Blackout had rounded in 2nd, just ahead of Ballistic, I finally had a chance to look around on the run, Future Feedback had slipped back, now fighting with Redline and Wild Thing.
Around Boulder middle, back on the wind to Boulder North then the long run back to Pile 0 off the harbour entrance,
We held our 400 - 500 metres on Blackout but they had worked out to sea, with maybe more tide and breeze, we weren't too worried until we gybed at Pile 0 for the entrance which was a little tight for our kite and perfect for Blackout's gennaka.
They were now smoking up on us, to make matters worse we were coming up on slower boats, race on.
We dropped the kite, 2 sail reaching up to block Blackout before the entrance but they managed an overlap before No 1 beacon, but still had their gennaka to drop, as we came up on another slower boat from one of the other Divisions, we built speed and stayed low to break through the Div 3 boat, at the same time Blackout was dropping their gennaka, both back on the pile line we had a 3 boat length lead, we only needed to sit on their bow to the finish, finishing 23 seconds ahead.
3 line honours in a row, 3rd on handicap. 5 races and we are on only 10 points 3-1sts, 3rd, 4th
We are now leading the series overall by 7 points from Future Feedback. with only 4 more races to go
Div 2 is being dominated by the Lidguard 35 "MacIntosh" (Kim Harris) by 11.5 points.
Crew :- Kev, Patrick, Steve, Knoxy, Matt, Aaron. (No girls tonight?)
Always a little disadvantaged on a No 2 off the start as we lack horsepower for the reach to the pile line and entrance, tonight would be worse as we also had a 500m reach from the entrance to Beacon 0.
Plan! a good start to leeward with clear air, the club end, giving us a tighter reach,
The actual start ? middle of the line to weather of Future Feedback and luffed up the line, complete opposite to our pre start planning?
Again only 7 in Div 1, 6th out the entrance to Pile 0, only Smak behind us, Future Feedback ahead, while Blackout out front had clear air, along with an incoming tide which meant flatter water our chances weren't looking great.
At Pile 0 Ballistic tacked onto port early, and up the Boulder Bank to clear their air from Blackout. Wild Thing, Redline and Future Feedback all tacking as they cleared their air, then finally Blackout.
We were now the only boat heading out on starboard, although the tide was coming in we were only in the 1st hour of flood, so looking like more pressure out a bit ? we pushed on for a bit.
Once in better pressure and a wee knock, we tacked onto port, all the rest except Ballistic were coming back out on starboard, As we approached F F we had a to either dip them or lee bow tack, I love lee bows, so through onto starboard, a nice tack, managing to build speed before they rolled us, now up to speed we could take advantage of our pointing on our No 2 and started to squeeze them up, until they were forced to tack away.
We tacked back in soon after, Blackout coming out on starboard, would be our next cross and was looking close, in fact we were now Bow to bow with them, nice catch up considering our 6th at the bottom, we tacked onto starboard to leeward rather than dip them, once up to speed we were a little quicker, surprising considering breeze and flatter sea.
Blackout went back into the Boulder Bank while we went out a little further as it still looked like slightly better breeze but a little more tide.
We tacked back in to keep in touch, next cross we crossed Blackout's bow by about 4 metres, we were now in 2nd place too Ballistic, not bad? we had taken 5 boats and only half way up the beat.
Ballistic meanwhile had enjoyed a quite sail up the Bank on their own, while the rest of us crossed tacks fighting with each other. They were close in with less tide, we were 100 metres to weather, behind, more breeze, more tide, but we were slowly reeling them in.
Three quarters the way up the beat we rolled over Ballistic and into 1st place, around Boulder north mark, nice kite hoist and off down to Boulder middle, Blackout had rounded in 2nd, just ahead of Ballistic, I finally had a chance to look around on the run, Future Feedback had slipped back, now fighting with Redline and Wild Thing.
Around Boulder middle, back on the wind to Boulder North then the long run back to Pile 0 off the harbour entrance,
We held our 400 - 500 metres on Blackout but they had worked out to sea, with maybe more tide and breeze, we weren't too worried until we gybed at Pile 0 for the entrance which was a little tight for our kite and perfect for Blackout's gennaka.
They were now smoking up on us, to make matters worse we were coming up on slower boats, race on.
We dropped the kite, 2 sail reaching up to block Blackout before the entrance but they managed an overlap before No 1 beacon, but still had their gennaka to drop, as we came up on another slower boat from one of the other Divisions, we built speed and stayed low to break through the Div 3 boat, at the same time Blackout was dropping their gennaka, both back on the pile line we had a 3 boat length lead, we only needed to sit on their bow to the finish, finishing 23 seconds ahead.
3 line honours in a row, 3rd on handicap. 5 races and we are on only 10 points 3-1sts, 3rd, 4th
We are now leading the series overall by 7 points from Future Feedback. with only 4 more races to go
Div 2 is being dominated by the Lidguard 35 "MacIntosh" (Kim Harris) by 11.5 points.
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