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Archive for October, 2007

Blonde moments?

Sunday, October 28th, 2007 by sadiiqi

(Race Reporter - Rikki/Gripper) 

 

A perfect day for sailing, Sunny and blowing 15 to 20 knots. Six boats were out. New Wave, Sadiiqi, Gripper, Solaise, Siren and Shogun.

3 races were sailed for the second half of the Fairhaven bowl. Sadiiqi was leading the series after a great run last week, however this week it was New Wave who performed the best with three 1st place finishes. They made up for a crew of three from the week before by having six this week. Next week we are seeing if they can go with 12.

The pin was favoured all day. Gripper decided on the first race to attempt to cross the fleet on port tack only to end up ducking the fleet on port tack and being protested by Solaise for tacking in their vicinity. Solaise then tacked away into the oncoming Siren who skillfully managed to avoid them, Solaise did their turns, but never got back into the race. The course was two short legs and with the positions being New Wave, Sadiiqi and Siren.

It was only on the last downwind that Gripper managed to recover from its earlier trouble and squeaked into a very close second place with Sadiiqi and Siren close behind.

Race two had the standard pin end squeeze at the start, with Gripper again getting thrown out of the back door after Sadiiqi forced her up and New Wave sailed over the top. Positions were Sadiiqi, New Wave, Siren, Solaise and Gipper.  Sadiiqi then had a blonde moment misjudging the top mark forcing a 360 and letting New Wave and Siren through. Later down the course they also managed a quick broach to help them into 4th place. Solaise also did not quite lay the top mark so again decided to tack into the path of a starboard tacker, this time Gripper’s.  After much discussion, turns were decided to be done at a later date. Positions at the finish were New Wave, Siren, Gripper, Sadiiqi, Solaise.

Race 3 finally saw Gripper get off to a good start, but a blonde moment by them caused them to round up into the leeward mark and have to do a 360 as well. This let Solaise and Sadiiqi through for the final windward finish to take 2nd and third with Siren close behind in 5th.

 

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At least the sailing was glorious!

Monday, October 22nd, 2007 by sadiiqi

Blue sky, not too hot, not too cold, 15 knot breeze, warm ocean, ice in the cooler, friends on board – beats work. Six fun filled frolicksome two fours headed to the line – a smattering of Etchells and IODs joined the fray.

Host for the day, Ross, was on hand to get the proceedings underway. The flaggage was slower than molasses in winter – so getting the timing right was a bit iffy. The unusual use of AP after the start coupled with hails of “come back” “please come back” seemed to have a similar effect as a general recall. Finally, after two shots getting the anchor down on Cleo, we were off and running.

First race the start was split into three pin boats and three Cleo boat – the Cleo end had less of a scrum, with Sadiiqi popping out in the lead. Over to the left Gripper and Siren had Solaise in a squeeze – all three boats were genoa clad and lots of beef on the rail. Over to the right, Sadiiqi led the jib boats – New Wave, and Jezebell, all somewhat light. The shifts demanded much attention – the southerly breeze was puffy and unstable – image Neil running a 10k, that sort of thing. At the top Sadiiqi led the parade, covering Gripper to the finish.

Next race everyone wanted the pin. An untidy start had boats bailing early. Gripper and Sadiiqi met up in the middle of the course and had a drag race up the beat – Gripper leading round the next lap, with a persistent Sadiiqi nipping at the heels. Final run to the finish Sadiiqi couldn’t move forward on Gripper, who in turn couldn’t break free. After a quick attack from Sadiiqi, Gripper gybed for the committee boat, with Sadiiqi delaying her gybe, then gybing back to the pin. Too late Gripper gybed back to the closer end of the line – Sadiiqi got that one by a hair.

Final race and New Wave took off like a scalded cat – Carlton was on bow (a first) and doing wonders up there, Alan Powell had finally figured out the balance with the jib – they were difficult to catch. The usual suspects were trying though. Gripper tacked for the windward mark a little early and struggled to make it – finally tacking and drawing a penalty as Sadiiqi avoided – Gripper took her turns and dropped back. Solaise now took up the chase – at the finish they were behind New Wave and Sadiiqi.

Back to the bar for pints of G&T and to watch England not quite beat S. Africa.

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