Richmond Summer Series Race 12: Adrift in the Dark

Race 12, last race of the Richmond Yacht Club Wednesday night Summer Series for this season - with the promise of 15->20 knot southerlies, flat water and a fine blue-sky day.

Our Track Plot for course 8, race 12

The Crew

John (Captain) Ian, and Mark and Dave.

Dave - headsail trim

Mark - headsail trim

Ian - Foredeck

Capt John - helm, main, witty reparté

Course 8

The loop around Rough Rock, Bean Rock Buoy, Resolution and home. Last week it was a northerly, this week a southerly, making the run between Rough Rock Buoy and Bean Rock Buoy the up/down wind leg. The rest was reaching, albeit quite tight at times.

The Start

The water was flat, and the southerly fluctuated a bit to SSW but the wind strength was 10knots, and there was meant to get better as the evening went on. We timed ourselves well to be at the pin end, and then experienced a fluctuation to the east, and suddenly the pin was very tight, and so our progress slowed a bit. We were in not too bad a shape with some boats still behind us - but we didn't hit the line like we would have wanted.

Progress

With the tide just turning, we opted to stay in the centre and make better use of the wind angle instead of heading over to Stanley. By the way we slipped back in the fleet, I should have gone across sooner.We gybed the headsail at North Head and goosewinged towards Rough Rock Buoy on starboard. Rounded well and tightened up towards Bean Rock, and with two tacks we were at the mark. We kept on up to Resolution, but noted that the wind strength was not increasing, perhaps even dropping. A expert rounding of Resolution saw us gasping for wind back up the harbour, and the day turning to night - no problems with the cut-off time though. As we progressed the wind lightened even further, and the flat water was now glassy. At one stage we tacked through 170 degrees to try and keep moving - the tide helping of course. In the gloom we could see other boats in front of us that had also been caught out - maybe we drifted quite well after all!

The Result

The clubhouse was full, hot and noisy - a great turnout for the last night - and a few wanting to see how they had done as the night and season results and prizes were announced. Another fantastic event, thank you Richmond, thank you crew!

cheers, johnhs