Page 29 - CYAA Magazine Jan 2018 Issue 41

Issue 41 - March 2018 CYAA ©

we felt we improved our understanding of Day 2 – Tuesday
Gazelle, 2nd last was still our fate.
Day 2 saw the start of competition for the Prince
Determined to do better, in race 3 we got a demon Phillip Cup. As boats assembled at the start, the
start close to the committee boat and were in the lights winds saw a few late leavers (like us)
middle of the fleet when a general recall was struggle to reach the start area on time. But with
announced! We still achieved a decent second some towing from spectator boats and the start
start but not up to the standard of the one taken being delayed in any case due to insufficient
from us. Approaching the first windward mark, wind, all made it. All then had to wait for an hour
we were approx. 20th when a tack into a hole just after the scheduled start – waiting for enough
before the mark saw boat after boat pass us and wind and dealing with a pin boat with a broken
we were back to 2nd last. Then we brushed the anchor mechanism.
mark. After taking our penalty for that, it was
back to the mark near the start under spinnaker Gazelle got a pleasing start near the pin, closely
for the final windward run to the finish. After behind Pennyfarthing and another leading
exiting the gate and a short run on starboard tack, contender but soon saw them pull away. It
we tacked and soon found the wind shifting so became evident that the starter’s concerns about
that we were on the lay line to the finish. Boats light wind wouldn’t stay relevant – a new
that had left the gate on port tack ultimately had sou’westerly came in a squall front and the fleet
to tack back to the finish line, allowing us to gain suddenly faced estimated 20–25 knot winds. Like
one place and finish 3rd last. So we were us, most crews were caught without our wet
improving! weather gear on so by the end of the second race
and going home, we three were on the verge of
Reflections on the day were that, on a Dragon, hypothermia. Terry Grundy fell overboard trying
any piece of cord that can get tangled will. Any to get his high-fit trousers on between races and
piece of cord that can get a twist in it will. Any his brother Phil went in to rescue him as he could
critical cleat will fail to work when it is most not swim with trousers around his knees. That
required. Any sheet that can get under your feet left their for’ard hand Alan to sail the boat while
at the wrong time will. And we worked out on the two bedraggled Grundy’s were rescued by
the way home that we had not understood the Merum before being transferred to the start boat
options for headsail trim on a Dragon. So with and eventually back to Allegra. Seeing five people
hope that we can minimise those gremlins the on a Dragon before the start struck us as a bit
next day, we decided 3rd last wasn’t all bad and unusual until we realised what had happened.
we will be better tomorrow. The start was postponed with an announcement
on the radio of a man overboard problem. Our
At the front of the field, Pennyfarthing and result in the second race was an improvement on
Whimsical were level after two races but an the first coming home in 19th place and
unusually low 11th place by Whimsical in the improving our percentage time behind the
third race saw Pennyfarthing easily claim the winner from 20% in our first race of the previous
victory from Whimsical with Magic 3rd and Riga, day to 14%. The first day of PPC racing proved
Adios III and Linnea equal 4th. Best wooden boat to be a lot harder than anticipated for all!
was Ghost owned by the local Johnstone family,
finishing 11th. A compliment for Metung from At the head of the field, Pennyfarthing, Wild Rose
Rob Campbell that night: he said Metung was a and Adios II took the honours in race 1 and
perfect place to hold a Dragon regatta – it had Whimsical, Adios III and Riga took out race 2. Adios
wide on-water space for racing and no ocean III was skippered by Graeme Aldersea, the local
waves or swell. Metung shipwright who takes care of Terry

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