Sailing No Extras
We made our best start tonight, not last over the line as per normal, we hung on to the bunch too... we could have done with a very large down-wind sail at one point, although we did get Ian up on the fore-deck doing a jig with the pole, getting the best out of the genoa.The Crew
John (Captain), Nicola, Ian, and Blair (welcome!).We had Blair along for a sail tonight, and he was very focused getting that genoa sheet in - he and Nicola making a great pairing, we went through the tacks very well. We went up and down again, doing a few tacks and gybes before the start.
Course 5
Rough Rock Buoy makes another appearance in the sailing schedule - and we timed our tack well to go around the buoy without running into problems with the incoming tide - which saw a few boats putting in some extra tacks. Then Orakei, Resolution and Bayswater to home.The Start
Well tonight was our best start yet, keeping out of the argy-bargy with 16 boats in the starting box, in clear air and feeling confident about our position. Still a bit to go to get to t he front on starts, but way better than we have been. All credit to the crew!Progress
Sticking close to the fleet, we headed off down the harbour with the NE meaning that we were close to the wind, but not struggling to hold course. Most others pointed a bit higher to avoid the tide, but we still held on well with slightly cracked sheets.As noted our buoy roundings were perfectly timed. Leaving Rough Rock Buoy we had a down-wind leg, with the wind failing, so tried to get a bit of an angle to hold our position with a bit more speed. Hmmm. The wind just followed us around, while we watched the opposition drift by. Well, it was time to employ the pole to help with the goose-wing. In a previous story, you will remember that the pole had gone over the side - but we did have an extra long spinnaker pole on board - so Kiwi ingenuity time - and back in business - although now behind the second-to-last boat, shall we say...
The Result
We came back at them, but too little too late I'm afraid - pity, because if the race had of finished at Rough Rock we would have kicked handicap arse (nautical term). In the end we were 10th of 14 finishers - so we are happy.The result at the Clubhouse - what can I say... 4 beers in my fridge to prove it.
JHS
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