John632 said...
Tony,
Thanks for organising the regatta. I enjoyed my first round the bouy racing in 2 years. Its a pity the wind did not co-operate on Sunday. Did you get another race in on sunday afternoon? Hope to see you a Manly for the first of the Yacht Squadron winter series in late May.
John
There was in fact another race on Sunday arvo in quite reasonable (i.e. more than none) breeze for a total of five (six for the NS14s).
Tony and the guys did a sterling job in very difficult conditions. I reckon they struck just the right balance in adjusting courses when it made sense to, and letting races run when needed. I know a lot of race committees would have canned the Sunday morning race after a 180 degree wind shift, but I think everyone was happy to have got another race in.
I have to say going around the buoys with what seemed like several thousand wooden boats was great fun. A good mark rounding in a dense pack of dinghies with virtually no steerage is easily as satisfying to pull off as a good carve gybe. With the sailboards starting last but moving considerably faster than the Herons, upwind legs were a moving obstacle course which really tested our tactics to get through cleanly. I had a bit of a private game going to see how many Herons I could pass in a single leg, and I think my record was about 25 - and they were short legs!
Top on the water moment - totally becalmed and drifting listening to the kids in the Pacers playing "I spy". Impossible to get frustrated when surrounded by that kind of attitude.
Top quote of the weekend - dinghy guy to Harry who was diligently pumping his RSX all the way around the course: "Is that as annoying for you as it is for us?".
It was good to meet everyone, all up a great weekend.