Mid Season Race Report

After a slow build up to the VS regatta season, things have really become busy over the past two weekends.  Firstly we had the Teralba regatta, part of the TT series, followed by the Hawkesbury weekend, also part of the TT series and the first two races in the state title series.  Both weekends were perfect for VS racing with nice, two-on-the-wire sailing.  In a pleasing sign, thirteen boats lined up to start the race at Teralba on Saturday.  And there is still potential for more, with Plan B in the shed as Tim helped out with race duties.  As all the results are on the web, and most will know how the races unfolded, now is a good chance to introduce and highlight the achievements of a couple of the newcomers.   
Teralba regatta 
Devocean (2229) is sailed by Roger, with sons Will and Nick.  The boys are new to sailing but they are keen.  Roger has been slowly renewing Devocean, giving her a nice paintjob & more recently a new mainsail.  As you will know, this season has been one of fresher breezes.  The Devocean boys have had their fair share of swims, and did so again today, but they persevered & finished their first race for the season.  And if you check out the picture on the web home page, they are starting to look pretty fast on the water.  Well done!
Another newcomer to the class is Banana Coast Power Tools (2226).  Ex VJ skipper Mick has teamed up with Lyndon (sailed with Tim last year) & newcomer Glenn.  They too have given the boat a new paintjob over the off-season & also have some new sails.  First race in a VS regatta, these boys were only just behind the more experienced in the fleet when they suffered their only capsize of the day, just metres from the finish line.  I can vouch from personal experience that this is quite an achievement in this boat.  Again, well done!
Almost the standout performance of the day was Raptor (2230).  Not exactly new to the class but forming a new combination are Joe (fill in extraordinaire, steered White Noise in the Toronto nationals), Mitch (with Tim last year) & Kye.  Still ironing out the bugs in a boat that has not been sailed for a while they had a great race on Saturday, finishing just off the podium in 4th across the line.  Well sailed.
But the play of the day has to go to Stowe (2237).  Michael is always fun to sail with & knows how to pull out a surprise or two, keeping Brad & Ryan guessing.  Today was no exception, with the master finding a field of crab traps, snagging one on the centreboard, and coming home with a nice blue swimmer.  I can’t beat that!
Hawkesbury

With good breezes forecast for the weekend, it was a bit disappointing to find only three Teralba boats travelled to Hawkesbury.  Apart from supporting another VS club & enjoying the HKPCYC hospitality, TBS, Meeks & Firestorm all gained an advantage over the other Teralba boats for the upcoming nationals.  I often get asked how to sail better so here’s a tip – sail in a variety of conditions whenever you get the chance.
The Hawkesbury fleet has also undergone a few changes, and it seems the performance of all in the fleet has lifted.  Tim & Daniel Gleeson are off doing other things so Brian now has James & Jacob on board Under Pressure Too.  These young guys certainly aren’t slowing Brian down; UP2 is leading the TT series to date.
Purple Haze (2232) also seems to have stepped up a notch since Alex & Andrew have added Rob to the boat, with 7th across the line & 1st on handicap in race 1 at Teralba proof of that.
Measurement Solutions (2231) is another boat that has undergone a few changes, with newcomers Jock on the helm & Nicola up front joined by Peter (ex 2232).  They have also added a new Redback kite that looks the goods and, despite a few breakages, were only just off the pace in the first race at Hawkesbury.
Battleship WAS unchanged from last year, but Andrew, Greg & Chris have been looking to make some mods to go faster, and a new mast was on the way.  But in a twist they have decided to change just about everything and, as of a day ago, took ownership of White Noise (2241).  The Hawkesbury fleet certainly keep things interesting.  
The next event of the VS calendar is the nationals from 7-13 January.  Its 10 years since we had a nationals at Hawkesbury & the club are keen on making it even better than a decade ago.  Camping is available at the club, as is sleeping within the boatshed.  A presentation at the pub has been booked & there is an offer of a spit roast one evening at the club.  The NOR will be out very soon so keep an eye out for it.
Cheers
John