We had all winds over the three days.
Friday was remarkable! After spending most of the day in oppressive heat, a storm hit so hard that I retreated into my car and even moving the car from under a dodgy looking tree. On the water I could see what looked like mini tornadoes!!
I thought I was done for the day, next thing Tibor is warning me to hurry as we are about to start the freerace!! With no time I grabbed my half rigged 7.1, too big! But the wind dropped and the last 15 minutes of free race I was underpowered. Some guys where on 5 and 6 metres, that would have been hard in the dropping wind.
After the free race we started the Slalom and race till nearly dark. I was now on a 8.7m sail. Plenty of action on the first day!
That night Adam Craven and I headed for the Husky Pub for dinner we got there so late the kitchen was closed!! I felt like SpongeBob square pants going internally berserk! But then we crossed the road to some awesome Thai food. I ordered two mains! That night I had a choice out of three identical waterproof kid’s bunk beds and slept well.
Saturday the wind was onshore so we moved around the corner to a nice sandy beach with cross shore wind. The younger guys put on a great freestyle show, I wish my kids where there as it was great learner conditions for them. A few of us got planning on our Slalom gear. I actually managed to get over 17 knots on my 81cm wide board with a 9.6m sail!
It was a good time to catch up sitting around on the beach, I was asking the senior guys about the history of the formula class. Formula grew out of Slalom, people where course racing (upwind, downwind legs) on slalom boards but these boards where narrower than current Slalom boards. The Course Slalom boards grew wider and wider and where eventually capped at 1m wide. All formula boards are now 1m wide. Slalom is capped at 85cm wide. I also learnt that Tibor and Bruce where there right from the very start of Course Slalom.
So later at the Country Club I organised myself to be at the Tibor and Bruce table where I learnt a lot about the past and also surprised to learn about the future and other interesting little bits like, don’t always call for the second nurse.
On Sunday Sanctuary Point turned it on and unleashed the full power of the South Coast, well 20 – 25 knots of power. The wind was strong but not out of control, the chop was consistent over the whole course. Very good conditions!! I was on my 70cm wide board and 7.9m sail and 41cm fin and was well powered up on that combo. I could have changed down but at the top at the course the wind was a little softer and the starts where critical as all entrants raced together. In a big fleet If you get behind other sailors wake and wind shadow it is very hard to pull through in a short race. My speed and starts was good but my gybing was terrible. I just need more time on the water with the smaller kit.
Before the Slalom competition we had a 30min free race competition. I was using 81 wide board, 8.7m sail and 47cm fin which I have sailed a lot. I am pretty sure around the world this is a fairly common sized gear and I know the pro guys can hold this gear gear in high winds.
In the end it was a pretty cool week end away, even the light wind day. Thanks to the organisers for the efforts and hard work for the sailors. I had a good time and learnt a lot from some really good sailors.
Regards Justin
Huskisson 
Shall we start planning Huskisson 2016? 
