First for the year

It was nice to get out on the water for the first time this year.  With all the restrictions coming and going, certainly interstate travel is out of the question.  Then there’s all the regattas that have had to be cancelled including the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race on Boxing Day.  Some have been postponed to a later date, others canned all together.

A couple of weeks ago I was out with the Farr40s  on the harbour for what was to be eight races.  At the morning briefing, it was decided that the forecast for going offshore didn’t look too good.  We set up a line north of the Pigs in a northerly and got in the first race. Tick.  Started the next, however when the pack took 30mins to reach the first mark, it was an up anchor and three toots later Code Flag N was hoisted.  Our fleet and those competing in the Combined clubs racing [about 70 entries] hung around and drifted in the out going tide. After several hours of this, the call came to head to the bar, many relieved and appreciated the early on water finish to the day.

Sunday dawned with a new direction and strength. With an earlier start to the days racing, we got away 3 races in a steady 15knot South Easter without any changes, just nice. Starting in Obelisk Bay and heading towards Rose Bay, the fleet had no issues as the harbour wasn’t too busy, even the ferries were timed well in their crosses. I started the last race of the day just as there was the beginning of a change in direction, so the next windward leg was  moved left to avoid follow the leader courses.  All good and a five race series was completed with the first three boats separated by 3 points, it showed that consistency was the key. Outlaw followed by Good Form and Edake for the placings.

Next up for these guys is the NSW State titles  late February, hopefully then we can have the full compliment of boats racing, including the pair of Victorian entries C19  issues permitting.

This coming weekend Melissa and I will  be taking the DeckHardware RIB down to Lake Illawarra.  In conjunction with Allen Brothers England and LIROS Ropes ,  DeckHardware is supporting the Flying Eleven class and their NSW states and the National titles. We have a number of DeckHardware ambassadors competing as well,  with one pair of girls – Aimee and Bella currently leading the State pointscore going in to this weekends racing.  Weather looks a little light in initial forecasts.