I was going to give you a report after the Hawkesbury weekend but Covid has laid me low.  I am recovering OK but I seemed to lose a week.  All I remember of the weekend was:

1. There was a big tide,
2. it was fun
3. the sailing was good
4. the hospitality was better
5. there was a big tide

As for each regatta series; there were some great results.

• Firestorm won the national scratch title.  Won most races or had a good result otherwise
• Runaway won the national handicap title on a countback from 3 other boats.  A testament to Steve and his crew's commitment and consistency.  They were always competitive and didn't give up.  A 40 second victory over TBS over TBS at Port Hunter was the clincher.
• The State scratch was won by Firestorm on the back of some good results.
• The State handicap title went to Incognito on a countback.  Chris and his crew were always nipping at the heels for the big guns and sailed consistently in all wind strengths. 
• The Travellers Trophy was rightly claimed by Col & crew on TBS.  The only boat to not only start every race, but also sailed well enough to win a couple of races on corrected time.  Worthy winners.

It was great to see so many other boats contest races in the association regattas, but it is a fact of life that the overall results will always fall to those that sail the most.  Coming last in a race may score 5 points whereas a DNF could score 13.
 
Congratulations to all the winners.

​John.

​Are we getting back to normal life?  It seems like just yesterday that we were locked down & gatherings were frowned upon.  That began two years ago…  Yep.  Covid19 disrupted everything we knew, and that included VS racing.
 
But no more!  Restrictions are being wound back and regattas are now back on the calendar as usual. Almost.  As of November, we were still in a state of flux, so the AGM set a hybrid regatta calendar for the season.  No traditional nationals series over a week at Christmas this season, instead replaced by the results from various regatta races.  The states & travellers series have resumed in a format similar to previous seasons, being selected races from regattas.  Apologies that the usual race documentation hasn’t been published but this would have been documenting details after the event, so as per the AGM resolution and minutes, the regatta schedule is:

• Nationals – Two races from Teralba, Sunshine, Hawkesbury & Port Hunter regattas to count. Two drops.
• States – The Saturday race from the above regattas to be scored.  One drop.
• Travellers Trophy – All regatta race results to be scored on corrected time.  No drops.

 
So the story so far…
 
Teralba regatta was sailed but not quite to plan.  A stiff southerly lead to the Saturday race being postponed.  Two races were sailed on Sunday.  Firestorm & Incognito were the only finishers in the first race.  Chris, Greg & Tom good enough to win on corrected time.  But the starters were a bit cruel and started the second race before they could return to the start line L
Race 2 was a better contest.  TBS rejoited the fleet after suffering rig troubles in the previous race, but the revelation of the day was the performance of The Green Boat.  2226 is arguably the fastest boat in the fleet, but she is cranky.  Craig and his crew are learning to tame the beast and showed the skills they have, sailing a great race and winning on corrected time.  Good one.
 
Sunshine was the next regatta & it was destined to be unusual.  Many of us were still saddened by the recent passing of Alf, founder of South Lakes and long-time supporter of the VS class.  Then there was the breeze that was weird.  A moderate southerly blew as we rigged then, as the sail past tribute was about to begin, a 25-knot southerly kicked in.  Boats capsized everywhere and many chose to stay on the bank.  It looked like the race would be abandoned.  Then by chance, or Alf’s intervention?, the wind dropped to a 8 to 10 knot SE’er with flat water.  Bliss.  The track was a bit one sided but there was still ground to be made with strategic tacking & gybing.  Firestorm loved the conditions & took out the scratch & handicap double.
The Sunday race was also sailed in lighter breezes but on an unusual Easterly course in “the gutter”.  An unpredictable place to sail from previous experiences.  And that continued.  Steve, Gabe & Troy sailed Runaway magnificently all race and held a comfortable lead until the final spinnaker run.  Here the breeze abandoned them, and they watched Meeks & Firestorm slip by on the other side of the course.  But the bad luck of Meeks was to continue.  On Saturday Geoff, Mark & Dave (yep Dave who sailed with Bozo more than a decade ago & survived) had 2nd place secured but went for a quick swim on the last tack and lost the place.  Today, on the two sail reach home, the wind abandoned them and Runaway dipped below them and again relegated them to 3rd place.  Bad luck boys.
But the revelation of the day was Jock and this crew on Measurement Solutions.  They have been quietly developing, and with a new set of sails, now regularly upend the established pecking order at Hawkesbury.  They scored a 2nd on corrected time on Saturday; on Sunday they easily took the win.
 
This leads to the reason for this report.  To try to continue the renewed enthusiasm.  For example we were expecting 10 starters at Hawkesbury for the regatta.  That is a great fleet.
Hopefully everyone makes the commitment to support the regatta on the new dates 19 & 20 March.  Following this is the Newcastle Sailfest on 26 & 27 March.
 
All races form part of our nationals, state or travellers series.  Dropped scores will help you stay in contention if you have missed a race or two, but by far the best way to be competitive is to sail.
 
 
Cheers
John

​In the first year of Covid-19 how would you expect the first regatta to go?  Without disruption?  Yeah.  Right…
 
As I have mentioned before the weather forecasts these days are pretty good.  So, with forecasts of 40 degree plus days and gusty westerly winds, it was not surprising that only 7 boats rigged to contest the first state & TT race of the season.  Covid & the weather is not the only reason the numbers are down though; Alex and the boys on Purple Haze recently broke a mast, Mick T is focussing on a new 16 footer (and running the races at Teralba), Bozo is helping Mick on the start boat, Matt is racing a car this weekend rather than Raptor, and Roger & Will are short a Sheethand on Devocean after Nick has retired.
 
But whilst very hot and gusty, the conditions on Saturday were OK for racing and the boats were all close for a very biased boat start.  Starting with us, ex VSer Lindsay Allan provided some entertainment when he crossed the line early and tacked to round the start boat.  But Bozo had too much anchor rope out for Lindsay’s liking and the VJ(?) tripped over it and crashed into the start boat.  Plenty of yelling followed.
 
Typical of a Teralba NW’er there was plenty of big shifts and lines.  But the crew to link them all together beautifully on the first work and lead around the top mark was Stowe, with Tim & Scott joined by Jock, who was making a cameo appearance.  Next was Meeks, with Geoff, Luke & Mark, showing similar skills to join the dots.  Luke is only a youth and new to VS’s, but is showing great skills, and will only improve as his experience builds.  Think of the young sailors who started like Luke but are now the most sought-after sailors; Hugh, Brad, Gabe, Will, Lennon & Ryan to name but a few.  Speaking of Ryan, he was back up front on Firestorm.  Things seemed normal but the only thing behind him around the top mark was Dale & John.  After picking every knock they were dead last.
 
There were some big bullets down the run but the Stowe boys held their lead around the leeward mark for the first time.  Firestorm had a good run & rounded second, helped by TBS being blown nearly to Valentine.  Meeks, Incognito & SFC had swims.  With the breeze up Firestorm quickly found their old mojo, passed Stowe, and sailed off for a win.  Behind them Janine, Adam & Col returned to the course & kept the leader honest, especially after a near pin to pin 3rd run.  They were smoking.  Similarly, Steve, Jeremy & Hugh had Runaway jumping, hot on the tuck of TBS.  This battle continued race long with TBS holding a small lead around the leeward mark for the last time.  But a Teralba NW’er is anything but true – Runaway tacked on the mark and picked a nice line of breeze.  When they next crossed the Runaway boys had second place and held it to the finish.  TBS were a close 3rd.
 
With an older rig, Stowe were a little under powered at times but sailed well for 4th over the line and a nice win on handicap.  So Jock is 1 from 1…  Just a little further back Griffin, Gab & Lennon sailed SFC well in the testing conditions that required many changes from high to low mode.  The young guys are learning every time they go out and are a joy to watch in go fast mode.  They will pick up when to ‘change gears’ and continue up the results sheet, and todays 5th is proof of that.  Meeks were next in 6th and made it home without busting boat or crew. 
Unfortunately, not the same could be said of Incognito.  Chris made the run up from Hawkesbury with Mike filling in for Greg on the sheet.  Up front Tom has stepped up from the 13’s and is starting what I hope is a long run on a VS.  Welcome to the fleet!!!  But today the gusty conditions were not ideal for a new crew combination.  Without the benefit of local knowledge, the boys ripped the bottom of the centreboard before the start.  They soldiered on but then had a wild moment where Mike’s foot was stuck in a foot strap and the boat gybed.  A suspected broken foot resulted in a DNF.  For those that don’t remember Mike was sheethand on Incognito when they flew the kite in the strong southerly at Sunshine.  Get well soon.
 
The forecast for Sunday was for gale force winds and 40 degree plus temperatures.  And that’s what we got.  Racing was abandoned.  As we know in this Covid age, nothing is predictable, except the weather.
 
The next regatta is the Nationals.  Sunshine.  2 – 8 January.  Get there and enjoy a sailor’s life!!
 
Cheers
John

Once again the weather forecasts were correct.  After the previous weekend of 40+ degree days the forecast for Sunshine was for squallly winds with rain.  And so it was.  
The warnings and conditions unfortunately also thinned out the number of boats who made the trip to Sunshine.  Five Vee Esses rigged in a total regatta fleet of 25.  This would have to be the smallest fleet in history.  Unfortunately our starters were reduced by one when 2 sailors + 1 launched the boat but found the rudder pin missing.  Bugger.  A replacement pin couldn't be found so Geoff, Mark & Pete only got wet from the rain.

Despite the small numbers it was still a good race.  We shared the start with a couple of skates so there was still some aggression on the line.  TBS, with Gabe subbing in for Janine, won the start & were first round the windward mark, closely followed by Firestorm, Stowe & Incognito.  And already a comfortable margin ahead of the skates.  There has always been a friendly rivalry between the classes.  For the record, and bragging rights, we lapped one skate & were not far off doing the same to the second. Another one for the VS !!!
Up front TBS & Firestorm again pushed each other all race and cleared out, with Firestorm holding on for the gun.  TBS were comfortable in second, until returning to the shore with a spectacular flip.  Stowe did the same.  It looked great but I'm not keen on following the trend...
But back to the racing, Andrew & Chris on Incognito grabbed Joe for the weekend.  They continued their performances from the recent Sunshine nats and pounced when Tim, Scott & Lennon had a quick swim on the home run.  Incognito 3rd.  Stowe 4th.
​
Sunday morning and the rain was nearly horizontal.  When we got to the club two flags were flying - AP over A.  No racing today.  So we lost a race but that's not the end of either the TT & state title series.  Vaucluse regatta is in on in two weeks time - 22nd February.  If you can please get make an effort to get there.  It is a great club & they are great hosts.  They looked after us in our 70th year and always make us welcome.  Let's show them we appreciate their hospitality by having a good turnout.


Happy sailing
John


​

So were the forecasts again correct?  I think so.  I use Predict Wind and 12 knot Southerly easing was their prediction.  That was pretty much what the final two races were sailed in.
With both the scratch & handicap titles still open and all crews ready to attack a steadier breeze 9 boats lined up on yet another great start line.  The 'top guns' TBS, Firestorm & Runaway were close together, sailing hard on the Wolstoncroft side of the course and feeling pretty satisfied, until they made their way back towards Sunshine.  Matt, Troy & Mackenzie on Raptor were sailing well and holding a slight lead over Roger, Dom & Will on Devocean.  And they were about 100m in front of Firestorm.  Sweet!  As usual Stowe and Black Diamond were again upsetting the hierarchy too.  On the first run Tim, Hugh & Lennon on Stowe went hard toward the Sunshine side & once again were mixing it for the lead.  TBS did similar and rounded the bottom mark with Firestorm.  TBS sailed well but the weather was finally in the Firestorm go zone & Courtney, Dale & John sailed off to get the gun and seal the scratch title.  Col, Adam & Janine were missing the power of their now broken mast but again sailed well to finish 2nd, from Chook, Hayden & Adam on Black Diamond in 3rd.  Stowe continued to pick the breeze well & finished in a dead heat with Runaway for 4th.  TBS & Runaway were now tied on points in the scratch series.
Raptor took an easy corrected time victory from Devocean.  After that first lap it was not a surprising result.
The final race of the series started just like all previously - a long, even start line hotly contested.  All boats got away well but unfortunately a big blank after this as to who did what in this race because the breeze was so shifty and puffy.  You could dip the tuck of a boat and next time you'd cross 200m ahead.  It took max concentration all race.  Firestorm got the gun to claim the Coal Board shield. TBS seemed to be covering Runaway for most of the race but this is hard to do on a downwind finish and only 10 seconds separated them at the finish but TBS had done their job.  Black Diamond was back on form and finished 4th ahead of Stowe in 5th.  With a bit of separation in the fleet Firestorm took the corrected time honours for the race too.

In summary John, Dale & Courtney sailed Firestorm well enough in a range of breezes to win the scratch title from TBS & Range.  The Handicap title went to Andrew, Mike & Chris on Incognito, from club rivals Purple Haze with Stowe 3rd.

Finally praise must be given to SLMASC for hosting the VS nationals in a style that  suited the class well.  Relaxed off water, competitive on.  The key on water crew of Alf, Steve, Mark, Norm & Bob did an excellent job of setting true courses, fair start lines and coping with breezes from 5 knots to 25 knots.  Thanks guys.
Equal praise for the on shore crew of Marlene, Linda, Lynne, Kathy, Tracey & Wendy. 
Lunches were terrific every day, as were the afternoon nibbles with drinks on the verandah, only to be surpassed by the presentation night spread.  Thanks ladies.

It was the 75th time the VS national series has been contested so we reached a milestone that many other classes can only dream of.  I think it was one of the best but I've only sailed in the last 25 or so of those.  You'll have to ask Tim about the rest...

Once again the weather forecast was correct.  A fresh southerly was forecast and what did we sail in?  A fresh southerly.  Not as tough as on Sunday but enough to have the rigging area asking about whether racing would proceed.  But we are a skiff class and it wasn't crazy conditions, so the starting boat crew set the course & got us away on time.
Eight boats made the start for the first race of the day.  2 Sailors + 1 had shredded a mainsail the previous day so was gone for the series.  Raptor also headed for shore early after Matt had second thoughts about racing, much to the disappointment of Mackenzie...
A nice, long start line saw the fleet get away to a very even start.  I think all boats crossed tacks at some stage up the work & rounded the windward mark stem to tuck.  And all flew kites.  Wineglasses on a few gybes changed some places but everyone stayed upright.  Close racing continued for the rest of the race to the point that Runaway rounded the left hand bottom mark just before Firestorm rounded the right mark for the final beat to the finish.  The wind shifted left and Firestorm took a close win from Runaway.  TBS was a comfortable 3rd before Incognito crossed in an impressive 4th and for a probable corrected time victory.  Except that rival Purple Haze finished an equally impressive 6th across the line and once again took the handicap victory.  Three in a row!  Has Alex, Andrew & Rob peaked too soon?
Race 8 was similar, except this time TBS really found their mojo and sailed mistake free race for an easy victory.  Runaway kept them honest but (i don't think) crossed them in the race.  Firestorm was even further adrift in 3rd but unfortunately did cross both TBS & Runaway when on the first run they gybed onto port only to have to luff to avoid both.  They swum and started a long chase, eventually passing Incognito on the line.  But this time Incognito were not to be done on corrected time and took a solid handicap victory.  The ever consistent Tim, Hugh & Lennon on Stowe again crossed the line in 5th and scored a nice runner up place on handicap, which might prove crucial in the final wrap.
So going into the final two races the regatta is close.  Check the results.  But in summary Firestorm, Runaway & TBS are all still vying for the scratch title with just a few points between.  But the handicap series is even closer.  Hawkesbury hotshots Incognito & Purple Haze are tied on points with Stowe ready to claim the title should either falter.
The forecast for the final day of the regatta is another southerly.  Some models predict light to moderate, some fresher.  Let's just hope it is good VS sailing weather & we can all finish the regatta on a high.
See you tomorrow
​

A big day for all.  With 3 races scheduled the fleet assembled around the start boat for a Northerly course.  However just before the 5 minute signal the wind shifted 90 degrees.  Steve, Mark & various assistants on the start boat have been doing a great job all regatta and continued so, pulling up the AP and resetting the course.  So the early start now became a later than usual start, but the fleet was still keen.  Firestorm more so than others and drew a IR flag when the fleet got away in an 8 knot easterly.  But the breeze suited the lighter crews & Firestorm took the gun from TBS & Black Diamond.  Runaway had held a higher place all race but lost out down a competitive last run to finish a close 4th.  Check the race times!.
The lighter breeze was a welcome relief for some crews & kept the fleet close, with just over 10 minutes across the whole fleet.  And everyone finished.  This lead to close results on corrected time.  Andrew, Michael & Chris on Incognito finally got to enjoy the reward for all their hard work and won the race on handicap, a whopping 20 odd seconds ahead of club mate Purple Haze, who in turn 'did' Raptor by a huge 4 seconds.  Roger, Dom & Will were another 'lazy' 16 seconds further back in 4th.  These places might be important come overall results.
Second race for the day and the breeze had settled more in the ENE and was building.  Building enough for Michael, Peter & Murray on 2 Sailors + 1 to tear their mainsail in half & have another DNF.  A frustrating regatta for "the little master" but it was great to see the champ at yet another nationals.  The stories around the rigging area are legendary...
So back to the start & again it was keenly contested. This time it was Incognito to force a IR flag.  Once again Firestorm, Runaway, TBS & Black Diamond all swapped tacks and gybes at the font of the fleet, with Tim, Hugh & Lennon on Stowe again lurking ready to pounce on any mistake.  Plenty of passing but in the end Steve, Mick & Gabe on Runaway claimed another bullet, from Firestorm & TBS.
But once again the corrected time results were important.  And with less than 10 minutes spread across the fleet the results were always going to be close.  This time Alex, Rob & Andrew on 'The Haze' got the gong from Stowe, Incognito, Devocean & Raptor.
Third race for the day and the breeze was really freshening from the NE.  This time no early starters but also no early finishers!  Despite 15 - 20 knot gusts all boats finished & I think there was no swims.  Nice.  Again Firestorm, Runaway, TBS & Black Diamond lead the fleet, with Stowe again lurking.  Firestorm sailed a good final lap and got the gun from TBS & Runaway.
The fleet again finished closely so it was no surprise the corrected time winners were those with good handicaps.  And once again it was Purple Haze that got the victory, this time from Rog, Dom & Will on Devocean with Incognito 3rd.

Still four races left in the regatta so too early to call it but the scratch title looks like being a 4 way battle between race winners Firestorm, Runaway & Black Diamond and the comeback kings TBS.  The handicap title appears also to be a 4 way battle - Purple Haze leading club mate Incognito, with Devocean close behind & Stowe again lurking!!!

Southerly forecast for Wednesday.  Let's hope it has less bite than the last one...
it.

 Unfortunately the weather forecast was correct.  After a tough first day of racing a strong southerly wind was the last thing most of the fleet really wanted.  Great work and camaraderie from all concerned saw TBS roll up with a replacement mast, 2 sailors + 1 with a repaired mast, Incognito with a repaired rudder box, Raptor with a repaired rudder and the rest of the fleet with repaired sails or fittings of some sort.
So with the white horses running hard around Sunshine point Dale & Mark took a tinny out before the start to gauge the wind strength.  18 with gusts to 23 knots.  We didn't want another day with more boats broken than finishing so the skippers met and agreed to recommend postponing the start for an hour & reassess then.  
In this ensuing hour much testosterone kicked in and crews started recalling sailing in 'much worse'.  After another wind check reporting 17 gusting to 21 the concensus was "let's go!".  Raptor & Devocean decided to wait for another day so 8 boats left the shore.  Firestorm was first out and took it easy testing the conditions but Bob, Hayden & Adam immediately cracked the kite to impressively ran down the bay.  It was only when they took the rag off that they realised it was near impossible to get upwind so headed for shore.  Runaway and Stowe did likewise, as did Michael, Peter & Joey on 2 Sailors + 1 after breaking a tiller extension.
So with four boats still on the water Firestorm won a very uncrowded start & completed the course for a win.  But it was with much caution.  No spinnaker until the chasers flew one.  Cautious tacks and no gybes.  It was the hardest breeze I've sailed in quite a while & I'd reckon way more than 25 knots.  
Col, Adam & Janine sailed TBS home safely in 2nd, less than 24 hours after breaking a mast.  Well done!!!  They also sailed a conservative race without a spinnaker but also made it home without a swim.  The two lightest crews in 1st & 2nd demonstrates some good skills (and luck).
A bit further back, and with a bit heavier crew, Incognito had a few swims but persevered to finish the race.  But Andrew, Mike & Chris got the applause of all on shore when they cracked the kite down the final run and finished 3rd.  Awesome!!
Race 4 was postponed and is rescheduled for 1355 on Tuesday.  But was that the only strong breeze for the series?  Not by the forecasts...

For the 75th time the VS 15'skiff fleet has gathered for the national title series.  South Lakes has hosted several series in the past so the crews were looking forward to another successful series.  But after the first two races in the series some are thinking this is a series to remember for the wrong reasons.  But let's start at the invitation race...
Friday saw 9 boats rig ready for the Sid Peare Invitation Trophy.  There is a lot of history behind this trophy so it is well sought after.  As in recent years it is a 'two buoy' handicap race, whereby after a scratch start a boat receives a handicap advantage by sailing a shorter course.  Sailors can choose when they can take their handicap advantage so the astute play their cards well.
TBS & Firestorm lead the fleet away from the start & had another epic battle up front.  After a good start Chook, Adam & Hayden on Black Diamond was also looking menacing and keeping their cards up their sleeve.
(Un)fortunately during the first lap the breeze freshened, nudging 18 knots, so boats sailing the shorter course were advantaged less.  The stronger breeze also lead to a few incidents.  Col, Adam & Janine on TBS had chased down Firestorm & just taken the lead when they had an uncharacteristic swim on a gybe.  Then on the final lap Black Diamond played their 'short course' card and snuck in front of Firestorm, only to also swim on a Gybe, leaving John, Dale & Courtney to take the victory.  Tim, Huey & Lennon sailed Stowe mistake free to claim 2nd, from the fast finishing TBS & Black Diamond.  The rest of the fleet got home OK, except for the newly painted Raptor, with Matt retiring the boat after Kenzie fell and suffered a nasty leg injury.  After the race she didn't complain.  For an 11 year old she is pretty tough kid.
After sweltering in a +42 degree all morning, by the time the fleet faced the starter for race 1 of the series a 15 knot NE'er was in & building.  It cooled the sailors but increased the heart rates.  With Steve back from Singapore Runaway was a welcome addition to the fleet with Steve & Mick joined for this regatta by Gabe.  The big two of Firestorm & TBS again had a great battle up front, closely followed by Runaway & Black Diamond.  After a lap of swapping places TBS had just hit the lead again when a sickening crack was heard, followed by the toppling of their mast.  Firestorm then had a long swim on the final gybe, allowing the ever present Black Diamond & Runaway to slip past & fight for the lead.  In the end Chook, Hayden & Adam took the gun.  Well done.  Runaway took an easy 2nd with Firestorm just recovering to pass a well sailed Incognito on the final work.  Rog, Dom & Will rounded out the finishers bringing Devocean home in 5th, albeit having a swim & breaking their record of not capsizing at a nationals.  I wish I could say that!!
So now for the tales of misery of the DNF'ers.  TBS was worst hit, with the broken mast.  Stowe broke a so called 'high load' vang pulley.  Michael, Pete & Joey on 2 Sailors + 1 broke a kite pulley which then damaged a spreader.  Matt & Troy on Raptor again broke Macca.  Alex, Rob & Andrew on Purple Haze also broke something, but I can't remember what.
So that thinned out the starters for race 2.  And the breeze was still freshening, over 20 knots near the island.  Raptor, Stowe & Purple Haze made it out again but Devocean decided to keep something for tomorrow.  Andrew, Michael & Chris were trying to fix a spreader before the start but ended up tearing the rudder of the boat for a DNS.  So 6 boats started. 
Firestorm & Runaway lead the fleet away, closely followed by Black Diamond & Stowe.  The breeze filled more & things changed after a lap.  Firestorm blew up the jib line & swum heaps trying to fix it.  Raptor tore the rudder off.  Stowe blew the tack line pulley.  But no such dramas for Steve Mick & Gabe - Runaway sailed superbly for an easy win from an equally well sailed Black Diamond.  Stowe persevered without a kite for the final run to claim 3rd.  Firestorm finally stopped swimming to steal 4th on the line from The Haze.

There is a big southerly forecast for tomorrow so lookout for some news of what happens when it really blows....

 
Whether you believe the forecasts are luck or skill, the weather for the Teralba regatta weekend was exactly as predicted.  Which made for a good Saturday but unfortunately a bad Sunday.  So to the good first.
 
The forecast for Saturday was for a light to moderate E to NE breeze but not building.  And that is exactly what we got.  8 – 12 knots with enough NE potential to suck you into shipbuilders but then leave you stranded as the boats that went south in pressure arced around you.  But if you got that puff from the NE… 
 
For various reasons the fleet was missing a few boats but still 9 eager crews lined up for a pin biased start.  Young guns Raptor & SFC tried for the ultimate port hand start and became tangled at the buoy, as the rest of the fleet got away cleanly.  But that didn’t matter.  As I hinted earlier, if you were in the right place at the right time you could make some big gains.  Jeremy & Joe would both be back in the action again soon.
 
Together around the top mark was Absinthe, with Mick, Dev & Gabe continuing to enjoy their new ride, and Troy Botting Shipwright, proving their hot form so far this season is no flash in the pan.  Firestorm, Runaway, Stowe & SFC were in the next bunch, all crossing tacks numerous times up the work.  This was the theme for the race, with Raptor & Meeks always within striking distance.
 
With the course not overly long and the wind gentle it was not a physically tough day but it was mentally exhausting.  If you lost concentration you could easily lose time.
No such issues for TBS.  Up front Col, Adam & Janine sailed TBS brilliantly and eked out a margin on every leg, to eventually take the gun by over 6 minutes from Absinthe, who held off a late charge to take 2nd from Firestorm by 1 second. Not quite as close, Jeremy, Hugh & Hayden on SFC finished a ‘huge’ 17 seconds further back, after trading gybes on the final run with Dale & the boys.
 
But it might have been lucky the SFC lads were looking forward.  Stowe had not gone away and flew down the final run, in the end finishing just 9 seconds adrift of the SFC.  The ‘old master’ Michael joined Robbie & Mark on Meeks for the weekend & had a reasonable race, but got caught in several Teralba holes, leading to calls after the race of ‘bring in the concrete trucks & turn it into a car park’.  But then again they were only another 30 seconds behind…
 
Guest crew Jason joined Steve & Dom on Runaway, but they didn’t have the best of days, also seen parked under Shipbuilders several times.  They didn’t finish far off Meeks, but were looking for more breeze, especially with Jason’s leverage. 
Joe, Mitch & Kye don’t have the grunt in the Raptor rig for these conditions but kept plugging away after their start and their skills were rewarded with a 2nd on corrected time.  Don’t forget that is what this TT series is all about.  With Purple Haze undergoing major surgery Alex again joined Brian and Kal on Narwahl.  It was good to see the Hawkesbury boys here, but a borrowed mast in need of some tuning didn’t help their day, finishing a little behind Raptor.
 
When reviewing race results I always smile when I see a crew that I think has sailed well and finished above their peers gets a good handicap placing.  It proves the handicapping system works. TBS did sail well, and earned a 3rd place on corrected time, but there can be no argument that the Stowe boys deserved their 1st place gong for the day.  They finished less than 30 seconds behind Absinthe & Firestorm.  Tim, Scott and Lennon are developing their teamwork and I’ll predict now that in the near future Lennon will be just as good as the previous graduates of Tim’s youth development program.  Well sailed lads!!!
 
Now to Sunday.  The forecast was for a gusty westerly building in the afternoon.  And when arrived at the club on Sunday morning, guess what was blowing?  A gusty westerly.  It was a good sailing breeze most of the time but every few minutes or so through would come a real rattler.  With the nationals just over a month away one by one the crews packed their boats away.  In the end a few Impulses & NS’s ventured out but no VS’s.  Good to see everyone is focussed on Neranie…
 
Speaking of which, as I write this the T-shirts have been ordered & should be available before Christmas.  Big thanks to Michael N for his design & ordering skills.  I’ll let everyone know when the shirts are available in case you need to give one as a present. 
 
Apart from that you all should know the drill for Neranie.  Get your entries sorted before the start of the series (NOR with entry form and SIs on the VS web site) and have a great time.  When the series is finishing Wendy & I will thinking of you from Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable lake in the world.  We’ll check it out for a future VS nationals…
 
 
Good luck all
John