Richmond Summer Series: Race 7 Happy New Year

Back in 2011 and looking forward to getting back for our Wednesday night fix of sailing on the Waitemata Harbour.

The Crew

John (Captain), Nicola, Tim and Blair.
With Ian still away on holiday we didn't use the poled-out genoa on the downhill run from Resolution to Rough Rock - maybe we could have made a difference there...

Course 1

With SW we headed down to Torpedo, back to Resolution, downwind to Rough Rock, up to Orakei, Bayswater and home. Except for the downhill from Resolution to Rough Rock it seemed we were going into the wind in both directions.

The Start

The wind was against the tide and that made the area under the Harbour Bridge a bit lumpy. We hit the starting box along with the E Divn fleet, and there was a fair showing of 10 boats. We crossed the line about 20secs from the gun, but so did half the boats. We then proceeded to hang on grimly down the harbour towards Torpedo Buoy. Obviously everyone feeling a bit rusty on their starting.

Progress

We did hang on to the other masthead boats, taking the Stanley side with the tide coming in. Around Torpedo we had our first test getting back up to Resolution, and pointing was not good. The downwind leg saw us fall away a bit more - maybe the goose-wing could have been helped with the pole - but with reasonable winds and Ian not there I decided not to get it out. Probably a bad decision - maybe I should have handed over the helm and done it... Anyway, we were good on Rough Rock, with some in front of us mis-timing the effect of the tide and had a very steep last gasp to get around.

As we got to Orakei, Pott Black appeared and we had a drag race up to Bayswater - they couldn't pass us - we were well pleased. However, the last leg to the finish line was so tight, we didn't make it, whereas the Townson pointed a bit higher, and eventually beat us over the line - making us last to finish. Bugger - we were so pleased with ourselves to hold them out and thought we were going to sneak over in front.

The Result

Well we weren't on the podium this week, but I did get the skippers Hull Clean prize - so we'll be very slippery next race ;-)

Happy New Year
JohnHS