Provisional results for PBSC Handicap Series September 15th 2018.
Thank you to Joan, Sam, Alicia for assisting on the start boat and to Joan for the photos. Thank you to Richard for putting on the BBQ and to Upu for spending his post race downtime changing the Webster gearbox oil. All the extra work our members put in to keep the club running smoothly is greatly appreciated.
What a day on our glorious Pittwater !!!
In the morning it was hot, sunny and with no sign of the 20+ knot NNW breeze that was forecast. In fact at the briefing it was looking like a nice steady 8-10 knots and pretty easy going. The plan was for the start boat to go out and find a location that had the maximum amount of breeze so that there might be a little crew trapeze action for the assembled fleet of 7 boats.
Oh what a difference 5 minutes makes in the world of sailing !!! As we were leaving the beach to set the course the weather gods launched a 22+ knot westerly, with some initial gusts possibly closer to the 30 mark
While we were setting the course (since we were all out there anyway), Tristan and Beau on Viper 1 retreated to the safety of their home base in Newport, Dick retreated to the beach to fix his A Class rudder than he had just broken, Michael and Regina were having multiple attempts at capsizing and righting their Hobie 16 and Richard and Cameron thought it would be a good time to take their Hobie 16 back to the beach and start the BBQ early :-)
It was time to have a quick roll call and start race 1. Three boats left standing out of the original seven but wait James and Phillip decide to go looking for Tristan and Beau as no one where they are at this stage.
Race 1 starts with two boats and there is a general recall. Oh well we all need practice at starting races and doing starts :-( On the second attempt the whole fleet (two at this stage) are off and racing in a breeze that had settled slightly but was still gusting from the west at around 20 knots. Darren and Barbara on their Hobie 18 crossed the line first with Upu and Ainslie in second place on their Hobie 16. Unfortunately due to some confusion around PBSC marks vs RPAYC marks Darren and Barbara failed to round the correct top mark, Darren scored a DSQ and Upu was promoted to first place :-( Sailing can be pretty cruel at times.
Race 2 and the breeze had settled into a nice but patchy 10 to 12 knots from the west with an occasional bullet to keep everyone on their toes. The fleet has grown by 50% with James and Phil returning from their fruitless search for Beau. We later learn Beau is in his hot tub back at the Viper home base Newport, enjoying a shandy or chardonnay or what whatever Viper sailors drink. Anyway back to racing and the three boats are off, two Hobies and believe it or not the last standing Viper. No more A Classes will be damaged on what has turned out to be a lovely day to sail and with those now watching from the beach wishing there were still out on the water enjoying the action. At this stage P.S. Richard is still cooking the BBQ. Upu and Ainslie cross the line first, Darren and Barbara second and James and Phil not far behind in third.
Time for the third and final race, James and Phil decide to pull the pin and head off to Viper home base to join Beau in the hot tub. Two boats start and one being slightly OCS, what the hell, keep on going !!! Darren and Barbara cross the line first but its Upu and Ainslie who take the win on yardstick.
Overall on the day its Upu/Ainslie are first, Darren/Barbara second and James/Phil are third ……… and yes, Richard is still cooking the BBQ.
It was a great BBQ (all that extra prep worked a treat), lots of chat, good food and no one wanting to rush off early. The Viper boys did finally get out of the hot tub and came to join in on the BBQ fun.
Again ,many thanks to everyone that contributes to make Saturdays something to look forward too !!!
Next Saturday is the first Club Championship race for this season and the joint will be jumping ....