FINALY C V COMES OUT, To race that is

After 2 weeks of watching the Burnsco Twilight racing on Wednesday's It was time to start our season
It has warmed up so the old boy could manage the conditions, a nice northerly 13-15 in the afternoon but down to 11-12 knots by 6pm start
Two 1st trippers tonight, Charlotte here in Nelson for summer, all the way from Canada, and Emma Patrick, Emma sailed on Coco last year. both joining the old firm of Kev, Steve, Patrick, Jenna, Knoxy.
In our absence Wild Thing had been the boat to beat  with their new square top mainsail,
I know they were keen to see us out to get a measure of how they were going, they felt C V was a good bench mark because of our consistency. awh thanks guys.

We didn't quite start where we wanted too but at least to weather of the others, only 7 of us in Div 1 with Blackout away north doing the Coastal Classic, Mrs Jones has a new owner and should be out next week, along with Squealer, (Elliott 10.5.) Stu Morgan's new purchase
Wild Thing again got the best start down the Club end leading at the pile line, we slotted into 2nd with Future Feedback & Ballistic on our stern.
Once outside we managed to climb higher than Wild Thing and about the same speed, the outgoing tide  had left some slop so a little tricky sailing through it, Wild Thing was in the groove now, we weren't making any gains on them at all.
Wild Thing tacked over onto port crossing our bow by 50 metres ahead, we were going to go with them for another arm wrestle but we were on a nice lift, and decided to stay until knocked which meant a lot of separation between us.
We got our knock and tacked onto port, Wild Thing & Future Feedback, in near the Bolder Bank, Wild Thing headed out on starboard to us, this was going to be close but we looked a little ahead but they tacked to leeward.
Not a lot in it at all, Wild Thing and the team have got some pace now.
We made some small gains in the next couple of boards until we overlaid the top mark, giving half it away again?
Around the top mark only 100 metres ahead of Wild Thing, Future Feedback another 100 behind in 3rd, up goes the light kite and 2 holes ripped in it on the hoist, seems it caught on a life line pin, the trick now was not to pressure it up too much and hope it stays together for the run home.
It did and despite the 2 venting holes we but some more time on the other two.
A nice tidy drop in the entrance and into the harbour, crossing the line 1 1/2 minutes ahead of Wild Thing, Future Feedback 3 minutes back
Good to be back on the water, and nice to have a win on line, we were 3rd on handicap, Wild Thing with the handicap win AGAIN.