Race Reports 2013

25th August 2013

Pattie B II wins last race but Branson takes the Series

7 fine boats made it to the start of the last race of the 2013 series on a beautiful day with a sea breeze filling in from about 1pm. Wynwater 1 was seen out early but decided against racing and were seen packing up as the others were rigging. It looked like there would be just 6 boats at 1.45 but 10 minutes later Windsong came tearing out of the Narrows just making the 2.05 start. 3 smaller (but not slower!) boats started at 2pm, Royal Tern being first over the line closely followed by Pattie B II and Patriot. The 2.05 start was looking confused with Gryphon and Annie O on station early, Gryphon seeming to get caught in irons as the horn went and taking some time to get away. This was to cost them dear when the results were calculated!

PB II built up a lead pretty quickly followed by Patriot and Royal Tern, Branson being first of the larger boats when HoJo was rounded for the first time back from Sheep, Gryphon last around as they headed for Rich Man’s. Branson just managed to close the gap to PB II by just 5 seconds but did pass Royal Tern and rounded just behind Patriot. Windsong and Annie O were locked in battle; just 34 seconds between them after Annie O closed the gap by 12 seconds on the 2^nd leg.

Branson took another minute and a half off PB II, the second time up to Sheep but weren’t looking like they could get close enough to catch the flying Lightning. Patriot struggled on this leg misjudging their rounding of the buoy and Royal Tern was able to get past again, also pulling out a bit more on the final leg to Rich Man’s but still losing out by 12 seconds on handicap!

Windsong held off Annie O though there was never even as much as a minute between the two! A good win for Kai in Pattie B II 46 seconds ahead of Windsong, Annie O 3^rd from Gryphon who if they had been as quick 1^st time up to Sheep could have won the whole race! Patriot also could have been right in the mix apart from their problems 2^nd time up to Sheep. When the tide is coming in strong, it is easy to misjudge that mark and losing a minute or two can be critical and really drop you down the results. Most boats were quicker on the 2^nd beat but Royal Tern and Patriot suffered!

With just 4 minutes separating 1^st and last places yesterday, any mistake is critical. This has been the case over the series and another critical point is to sail often, even though only 4 results count. Branson was the only boat to sail all 8 races and had 2 first places, a second and a third but also a 10^th and an 11^th, 4^th and 5^th! If just 3 races had counted, Branson would still just have won from Royal Tern & Windsong. Six different boats won at least 1 race, Branson and Annie O winning 2.

There will be another race this coming Saturday which will include the elusive mark at the end of Long Island which will be rounded to Port before heading to the Rich Man’s mark, also to Port, then back to HoJo.

Prizes were awarded where needed, Eric was given a depth finder and Peter some green paint to restore the Sheep Island buoy. A new mainsheet block was available for Chris but he was a no show, intimidated no doubt by the class of field!

Many thanks as always to Jacquie for the time keeping with help at times from Virginia, Denny and others!

17th August 2013   

   
Photos by Kirkhams  

Five fine boats set out to race yesterday, but only 4 made it to the start! The dreams of favourite, Annie O were dashed at the Wynburg dock on a falling tide while trying to fine tune the racing set up with a new whisker pole!

This should not detract from a fine performance by Royal Tern who was the sole starter at 2. Sage, Windsong and Branson being the large contestants. A light wind at 12 had filled in by 2 and the low tide was beginning to come again.

Sage was hanging round the start line somewhat early and had to gybe between the start mark and shore which looked dodgy from seaward but apparently was deemed OK by those on shore!

Branson led the big boys away followed by Windsong, Lori on her own this week but looking good on the winch!

The leg times were interesting, Windsong was quicker than Royal Tern on the legs to Rich Man's but slower up to Sheep. Sage was quicker than Royal Tern the first time to Rich Man's and also 2 minutes quicker their 2nd time up to Rich Man's but 3 minutes slower, 2nd time to Sheep.

Branson was nearly 6 minutes quicker than Royal Tern & Windsong overall but it was not enough. Royal Tern pipped Windsong by just 16 seconds overall, Sage a further 32 seconds back on handicap!

Annie O's no show meant that this year's series can only be won by Branson or Royal Tern who will have to win again to do it. Other Places and ribbons are still up for grabs however.

Jacquie & Jim were the timekeepers, Jim suffering heatstroke as they toiled in the sun. Fortunately a full recovery is expected any year now!
18 fine boats have sailed at least once this year and we look forward to seeing you all after the last (official) race on Sunday 25th, 2pm start.

     11th August 2013

Windsong top of the charts!

Photos by Isabella Price

Just 4 fine boats made it to the start line yesterday but there was some real class there with last week’s winners in Stir Crazy producing the crew for the Lightning Pattie B II and leaving them to it while they were off gallivanting up the coast. Seemingly their main rival was Branson but the girls on Windsong had other ideas!
Boats were keen to get going, PB II and Shearwater hanging around the start mark early, the three boys in PB II not having a watch between them while the Price pirates, having commandeered Shearwater, were also eager to be off with Jim instructing his novice crew in the finer points of racing and they improved throughout being nearly 2 minutes quicker on the second lap.

Windsong effectively snatched victory on the second leg up to sheep, 4 minutes quicker than the first time when they were following Branson! Lori, Lael and Barbara didn't have matching t-shirts but they demonstrated matching attributes at the excuses tea and very fine they looked too!

Branson was quickest over the course but could not catch PB II managing to close the gap to just over two minutes. Not enough!

Shearwater did well to finish just 24 seconds behind Branson on handicap Lorraine and Isabella having their first sail.

A great day with good wind but a disappointing turnout. Branson moves to the top of the series and it's going to take good results in the last two races to catch them. Annie O should be back next weekend and one good result from them will see them right in the mix. Humble Pie and PB II could both still do it as could Windsong. Royal Tern with 2 second places is another who could still win the series.

Jacquie and Virginia were the timekeepers extraordinaire producing immaculate results and not even being floored when the horn gave up the ghost at the end of the race.   Everything to still to play for!

NB! Race next weekend will be on Saturday 2pm start.

4th August 2013

MARY HOBART TROPHY

Big boat start, Still Crazy playing the waiting game. Photo Isabella Price

15 boats turned out to do battle on a fine day, when the wind looked as though it might be light, but shifted from West to the usual South West and increased in strength ahead of the predicted storms, which duly arrived just as most boats had finished and tea biscuits & excuses were being shared.

One fine boat didn't need an excuse however and that was Still Crazy who romped home, by just over a minute from Patriot. The two old men in SC handled their vast sails very well in the strengthening wind and by the end of the race were giving the Lightnings and Branson a run for their money!  At this level of racing, mistakes and breakages can be costly and there were many stories and broken bits of boat on offer at the tea after. Starting 3 minutes late cost Harmony 2nd or 3rd place. A broken jib lead had Humble Pie struggling while Tea Lady lost their main sheet cleat and pulley and were unable to sail close hauled thereafter. The Widgeon was going well and looked on for a good place but only seemed to complete one leg. Mystery crew?

Hardly seems fair! Photo Isabella

At 1.55 the little boats started with Whatever leading off the line followed by the Widgeon and some minutes later (due to watch reader malfunction), Tea Berry (sailed by the author’s lovely daughters, Catherine & Sasha. They were also harassed by Moose in Humble Pie as they were trying to cross the line! Photographic evidence available! Humble Pie eventually led over the line at the 2pm start followed by Patriot and Pattie B II, Royal Tern tucking in behind safely out of harm’s way! Shearwater & Harmony were the last of this group after it looked like some of the Shearwater crew were attempting to bail out before the start? A timely start would have raised these two, 3 or 4 places up at the finish!

             
Wynwater Mainsheet block and cleat, Humble Pie jib cleat. Both pulled off.

With the 20 footers out of the way, there were still 6 large boats to go at 2.05, Branson nailing the horn, Gryphon second from Sage and Still Crazy with Union Maid bringing up the rear, (but, for the first time in living memory, nearly on time!). Oops, almost forgot Windsong who had to be dragged towed out of the Narrows so Lori wouldn't have to spend money for gas! This also cost them dearly in the race results.

Last year's winner Windsong  Photo I. E. P.

Quickest on the first leg was Branson by a minute from Humble Pie and Pattie B II, Still Crazy and Patriot being a further minute down. The second leg to Rich Man's produced an interesting indication of the importance of modern technology in this day and age. An email sent out before the race stating that the course would be the normal one and NOT with the extra leg was missed by a few technophobes who were unable to recover even after their handicaps were massaged to give them some help! Humble Pie was actually the quickest boat on the course by 2 secs from Branson!

Handicaps will be revised before next week, some going up and some down. Be warned! Humble Pie was quickest of all on the last leg, 30 seconds ahead of Still Crazy and Pattie B II, Branson only managing 4th due to the large tree on her keel and collecting the lobster buoy that was lurking by Rich Man's mark.

Congratulations to Still Crazy on a fine race against a high quality field!

Timing was by Jacquie and Andrea Price, flags by Ella Price, support by many and various! Next week's race will be on Sunday at 14:00:00, usual starts and course.

Photo Leightons

 28th July 2013

Humble Pie has unlucky break?         

Humble Pie had an unlucky break yesterday that cost them the race. But was it really unlucky or were they using fittings that have more use on the garden lounger? Judge for yourself!

A fine eclectic bunch of boats turned out for the 4^th race of the 2013 series including two previously unseen this year. Whatever and Shearwater gave a fine account of themselves in spite of harassment from Annie O, who had problems of her own! Whatever led off in difficult condition, Alasdair helming and ably crewed by Elizabeth. Shearwater, starting 5 minutes later had a crew of 3 with Debbie in charge, Ryan as first mate and Jim Price as sail adviser. L

The two Lightnings, Pattie B II and Humble Pie also started at Two, Branson and Annie O bringing up the rear at 5 past. With an ENE wind, conditions were tricky particularly near the Brightwater shore, where any wind could be hard to find! Sometime after the start Union Maid appeared after a visit to Cundy’s to sort out mast head problems. Maybe next week….

Humble Pie meant business from the start and were first to round Sheep but that was the start of their problems when the above fitting on their mainsheet broke necessitating a comlete re-rig by crew Harris which took all of 15 seconds. Unfortunately they lost the race by 14 seconds. Pattie B II also had a poor return from Sheep but thereafter sailed well, Kai & Danny keeping up a good pace behind Branson which also could have seen them feature higher in the results and they finished just over a minute off first place. Branson was right on the stern of Humble Pie for the last leg to Rich man’s but couldn’t get by. At the other end of the fleet Whatever avoided being run down and finished in a fine 4^th place, just ahead of Shearwater, who was suffering from undersize sails, and Annie O who was becalmed on the aforementioned Brightwater shore.

All in all an interesting race that was nearly cancelled before the start as there appeared to be no wind and likely rain. The Commodore eventually relented and was rewarded by a narrow victory.

Next week is the Mary Hobart Trophy Race, (2pm start) currently held by Windsong and your chance to get your hands on some silverware even if you can’t sail 4 races in the series.

Only three boats have sailed all 4 races to date and they naturally lead the series, Humble Pie and Branson just ahead of Pattie B II. Annie O and Royal Tern are next up having sailed 3 races, then Windsong with 2 results.

                     21st July 2013                                                                        
O Annie, how did you do that!                                                   

            
                            photos Lisa Kelly                

Annie O came back from her week off bronzed and ready to do battle with a fit young crew in matching fluorescent t-shirts with a determined attitude. Starting a couple of minutes late to lull the opposition into a false sense of security they harassed the rest of the fleet for the whole race secure in the knowledge that their handicap would see them take the honours for the second time this season by just 1 second from Branson, who in turn pipped Humble Pie by 22 seconds!

Royal Tern was a strong 3^rd ahead of Pattie B II though there was a collision between these two as they battled each other. Pattie B II was allegedly delayed by a fish (…………………………..) this big which they had to land before they could start. We’re looking for sailing excuses here, not fishy stories Harris!

A strange wind had quite a bit of East in it at the start which caused some confusion and it also had some strong puffs to keep the crews on their toes! A strong outgoing tide also added to the equation and choosing your course had to be thought out. (or not)

Jacquie had some welcome support on the line and produced another fine set of results which caused some jaws to drop as Annie O’s fine win was revealed, not least among her own crew. The back room staff spent most of the night researching handicaps before an excuse could be found to cut back their lead to just one second but however hard they looked, a win could not be denied. Congratulations!

NB!  Next week’s sailing will also be on Sunday as will the following week, various commitments preventing sailing on Saturday. Hope that works for you.

One other important point! Jacquie will not be here next weekend so we need a crew to step in and take the times, wave the flags and hoot the horn. Please let me know if you would like to do this, thanks!

                    13^th July 2013                                                

Branson turns the Tables!                                                               
         
 

 Photo courtesy of Norma Price        

5 of the finest boats on the New Meadows turned up today off the HoJo dock, ready to do battle in the 2013 series for the Brightwater and Wynburg Cup. Last week’s winner, Annie O couldn't make it however and those who did show saw an opportunity to grab some points!

Branson and the two Lightnings, Humble Pie and Pattie B 2 were joined by Royal Tern and Windsong, the three smaller boats getting under way at 2pm with Branson and Windsong starting 5 minutes later. Just after the start Pattie B II and Royal Tern (on starboard) nearly collided! (Concentrate boys!) 

Branson set the early pace with the 2 Lightnings some 3 minutes back, Royal Tern, who just grazed the buoy and re-rounded  and Windsong were just 6 seconds apart, in elapsed time, as they rounded HoJo! First leg to Rich Man’s saw Royal Tern take back 2 seconds while Branson, Humble Pie and PB II had just 30 seconds between them on that leg.

Second time up to Sheep saw Branson take another three and a half minutes from Humble Pie and nearly 6 from PB II, Royal Tern also taking nearly 2 minutes from Windsong.

With one leg left Humble Pie was fastest of all by 8 seconds from Branson, Windsong 3rd fastest ahead of PB II and Royal Tern.

Beautiful day and a pretty steady wind made for a great sail, Royal Tern taking 2nd place on handicap behind Branson, Humble Pie 3rd from Windsong and PB II.

Moose Schwabe was cock a hoop at spanking PB II even though anchor man Les was sailing with Harris!

Thanks to Jacquie who again gave us a full set of perfect times, if anyone would like to assist her, please let us know.

Race next weekend may be Saturday or Sunday depending on the weather and weddings, probably Sunday at 2pm. Let me know if you have an issue. Money talks!

At this early stage of the season, Royal Tern leads from Humble Pie, Pattie B II and Branson but there is still everything to play for. Race for the Mary Hobart Trophy will be on August 4^th, holder Windsong.

                    6^th July 2013                        

 Annie O gets her gun!       

 2013 got off to a great start yesterday with 11 fine boats taking to the water at almost 12 sharp. With the exception of a welcome showing by the Wynwater and Patriot all the others started at 12.05 in the big boat start and I thnk we will have to revert to the 20ft limit which will mean the Lightnings, Patriot and Royal Tern start at 2pm next Saturday. Anything smaller than those such as a Wynwater can start at 1.55! 

Although  Patriot was first back to the HoJo mark after the first leg, Patte B II was the quickest on the leg from Branson who had started a bit late to avoid the rush. Not as late as Windsong however who had let some me novice rig their boat so the boom dropped off when putting up the sail! They were eventually about 5 minutes late starting but had a few tricks up their sleeves to reduce the deficit! Keep an eye on the back markers guys, they get up to all kinds of high jinks! 

Royal Tern was 4^th round on the water, 3^rd fastest on time while Humble Pie had some ground to make up after a slow beat to Sheep. Gryphon, Sage, Fine Cut and Annie O were locked in battle, Fine Cut easing ahead of these two after the second leg. Humble Pie was 3^rd on the 3^rd leg behind Pattie B II and Branson while Royal Tern and Fine Cut were within 31 seconds at the finish. 

Well done to Annie O who were strong winners, 23 seconds ahead of Royal Tern who were a further 35 seconds ahead of Pattie B II. Humble Pie were going well at the finish but left themselves too much to do after a slow start. Patriot on the other hand went well on the first leg but dropped off a bit to finish in a good 5^th place.

Branson had all kinds of excuses far too numerous to list here, sails, wind, seaweed etc as I am sure many others had too. But we’ll sort them out and be back to kick butt next Saturday at 2pm. This is subject to change depending on the weather. Check with us if you are in doubt. Dave Prouty has a good excuse but we’re happy to say he should be better soon!

Thanks to Jacquie and her able assistant Denny for the timekeeping. We are always looking for volunteers!

Nick 389 1976 or 504 6371