Teralba Regatta Report

OK.  I’m struggling to find reason why attendance at association regattas is down this year. If it is because the weather isn’t to you liking then there was no reason not to attend the TT heats at Teralba – we had everything! 
Saturday
 The weather bureau seems to get it fairly right these days.  With predictions of thunderstorms correct, most crews spent the morning running in and out of the shed avoiding the showers whilst trying to rig.  And trying to work out what the wind would do.  As each storm came the rain & wind would increase and we’d get a great lightning show on Sugarloaf.  Then it would pass, and so the breeze would follow it and die. Fortunately the storms were to the west so it was safe for a course to be set. Six boats lined up for a NW course start.  Unfortunately at the gun the breeze swung N so it became a drag race to the first mark. Firestorm & Troy Botting Shipwright got the best at the start, with John, Dale & Lindsay on Firestorm rounding the windward mark just ahead of Col, Troy & Greg (capably subbing again for Adam) on TBS. There was only a boat length or two in it but, typical of anything out of the north or west at Teralba, there were gusts & holes everywhere.  Firestorm picked up a nice gust & opened up a lead they would never lose. TBS eventually got into the same breeze & closed the gap at times, but on a one-sided course it is hard to pass & so had to settle for 2nd.   
The race for 3rd was close all day, eventually going to Brian, Daniel & Tim on Under Pressure 2. They made their move on the last lap when they headed to the eastern side of the course & held good breeze to make up a few places.  Very observant!!! The Zephyr boys had been doing this all day and were well in the race, despite still tuning a boat that has been in hibernation for some time.  Eventually they finished a close 5th. 
Tim, Jason & Hugh on SFC Computers were not far behind UP2 in 4th but were happy with the result, considering the time lost on a speedy kite run that turned sour when Tim was ejected off the back of the boat. 
Bozo on Paul Boslem Building also had issues downwind when the tiller broke. Dom & Kev knew something
was wrong when the boat started going straight for a change, but eventually it ended in tragedy with a swim & a DNF. But as this is the TT series it is the handicap result that counts. On this front TBS claimed victory from Firestorm, with UP2 3rd.
Sunday 
As I said earlier the full spectrum of weather was dished out this weekend.  Again six boats rigged on a warm sunny day with a nice steady SE’er blowing. Missing from the fleet today was Zephyr but filling their place was Alex, Jason & Jamee on Plan B.  After testing the water with a quick dip before the start Alex was pin boat at the start & sped off towards Shipbuilders. SFC also made a good start & did  similar to Plan B, but with a little more height. Similar again were Firestorm, albeit with more height again. These three jumped clear of the rest with SFC holding bragging rights, holding first place as the fleet crossed.  Tim, Jason & Hugh had good speed
today & were looking good up the work, until getting a bad shift down near  Marmong cost them dearly. 
First round the windward mark was Firestorm, who had stuck to the eastern side of the course upwind  & proceeded to do so downwind.  This seemed to pay dividends, as they held 1st to the finish. Under Pressure 2 also used the east side of the course well & rounded the top mark 2nd. They held this place for a few laps until TBS, recovering from a poor first work, made their way through the fleet to claim a comfortable 2nd.  
Brian and the boys held on to get 3rd despite a charging finish from Plan B, who had overcooked the finish mark & came in smokin’ on a two-sail reach. SFC never really recovered from the first work and the sometimes soggy conditions didn’t seem to suit them, eventually finishing 5th. Mick Turton made a welcome return to the VS fleet today at the helm of PBB, hopefully passing on some skiff sailing tips to Kev & Dom. They finished not to far adrift in 6th. Not a bad effort considering PBB is using an old mast that doesn’t suit their new sails. 
But once again the handicap result is where it matters in these TT races. Getting the money, albeit only by 10 seconds, was SFC Computers from TBS with UP2 just a minute further back.

The next association event is the Nationals at Gosford, starting 5th January. NOR and details are on the web site. The Gosford club is very keen to have us & Chook has been showcasing the VS class on Brisbane Waters this year so it would be good to see a good roll up. It is only 6 afternoons of one week of the season you have to commit to so why not work out how you can be there rather than why you can’t.

Hope to see you there !!!!!!!  

Regards
John