Keelers Newsletters
Race report 5 Winter 2024
A good steady breeze for the 5th of the winter series greeted the 10 yachts that turned out. There were no mishaps at any of the starts and all boats got away cleanly although some did give themselves a serious handicap by being late to the line. For the first race, Div A started 10 mins behind Div B but the lead yacht, Special FX, from Div A only managed to make up 41/2 of those minutes on Dawn Song the lead yacht of Div B.
For the next race Div A start was only 5 minutes behind Div B. The result of that was a very close finish between those 2 boats with Dawn Song narrowly heading off Special FX by 19 sec. The second upwind leg of the second race saw an assortment of vessels arrive at the top mark about the same time along with a squall which made for exciting times on board. A couple of yachts did some unexpected manoeuvres and unfortunately, Neptune11 suffered some damage to her mainsail and had to retire. A couple of yachts did unnecessary 360s and Dawn Song threw away a batten which apparently didn’t float. It has been suggested that that will incur an increased cost for fillings at a local Dentistry.
On a more serious note, our thoughts go out to the Skipper of Jesse and his family as he is currently in hospital.
You may notice that I have adjusted some of the handicaps to try to make them a little more even. These handicaps are strictly for our club racing and to give each boat a better chance on handicap. Next race is 21st July, see you there.
Blue skies Rex
Race 6 winter series report.
Another good days sailing for the 14 boats that arrived for the postponed race from last weekend.
A steady but light breeze which started out as a NE wind for the start of Div B allowed most of them to go with their spinnakers but by the time Div A started it had drifted further north and they just went with genoas. 1220 had a little identity crisis and went with the B div originally thinking it was a mass start but perhaps she should have stayed with them as the lack of her big headsail was tough on her. Maku as usually showed a clean set of heels and was first boat home but only by a couple of minutes over Special FX then Pedlar, followed by the other two multis, Nomad and Trifecta, who had a good battle. Dawn Song was the first of Div B with Anitra second. Soundwave and Dec Sun fought it out all the way to the line but superior crewmanship saw Dec Sun take honours, she had 2 crew to Soundwaves 1. 1220 was pipped at the line by a fast-finishing Moonshadow by about 6 inches. That’s if you can call the slow drift in the dying breeze a fast finish.
I have had a few adjustments of handicaps to try to give all boats a better chance on handicap. In future the two top boats will have their handicap increased and the two bottom boats get a decrease and we shall see how that pans out.
See you all next Sunday, Blue skies Rex.
Report of Race 7 Winter 2024
The breeze was quite enthusiastic for the 8 yachts that braved the day, gusting up around 25knts at times but from the East so relatively flat water. B division had a bit of controversy at the start with some of the boats but Libby stayed well out of it and made a good start. Unfortunately, that was about her best for the day as I believe she was a bit overpowered for the conditions and that reflected in her times. Dawn Song got her head in front at the top mark and managed to stay there for line honours in Div B followed closely by Kiwi Vibe, then Anitra and Libby. Div A was Trifecta’s day. She revelled in the conditions and managed to pass the whole fleet for overall line honours in the first race.
Race 2 was, a better start for Div B except Libby lost her form and let the others get away before her. Pedlar and Trifecta started in good time in Div A but Wright One was snoozing away among the moored boats and Special FX was caught with a repair job that took longer than anticipated. Nevertheless, both managed to make good time around the course and caught up with the back of the fleet with Wright One still on the podium on handicap. In Div B, Kiwi Vibe got to the first mark ahead of Dawn Song and managed to hold her off for overall line honours, a cause for celebration I am sure. Trifecta decided to use her code zero on the reaches and made exceptional time with that but then getting it furled while sailing downwind took her way beyond the start finish line and cost her dearly overall being 3rd overall but 1st in Div A.
It was noticed that Anitra had a wee discussion with a buoy and neglected to do her penalty. Nothing goes unnoticed by this correspondent. Anitra picked up a cockpit squab at the conclusion of racing if anyone lost one. Also, last week Pedlar managed some time travel, reporting a time ahead of Nomad, Trifecta and Wright One but they protested that she was behind them. Perhaps her crew is looking to be the next Dr Who.
See you all on the 18th for the last race, Blue skies, Rex
Race 8 winter 2024
Only 8 yachts turned out for the postponed last race for the winter series.
A nice steady breeze from west to northwest had the course set for a run up to Shag rock and back rounding Cow both ways. 4 boats in each division and Div B set off 15 mins ahead of Div A. Kiwi Vibe made good progress in Div B leaving Libby, Neptune II and Waihoke to fight it out for the minor places. Similarly, Maku left the Div A boats in her wake but Special FX tagged along behind while Dec Sun and Trifecta had a private race at the rear. Maku was first around Shag followed by Kiwi Vibe and Special FX and then the breeze died away for the remaining yachts while those 3 continued to take the breeze with them back to Cow and on to the finish. Maku taking line honours and handicap. Second across the line was Special FX ,then Kiwi Vibe.
The rest of the fleet endured a steadily declining breeze until it was pointed out by the crew on Libby that at our present rate of progress, less than a knot, we were going to miss out on the debrief on the beach, so sails were stowed and the iron sails engaged back to the moorings.
A very successful winter series with reasonable breezes for every race day but the last and that was a lovely sail until the breeze just died away. Prize giving will be later in October as I will be away for a month. I will send out your race fees by txt for both the summer and winter race series.
Blue Skies Rex
