Page 33 - CYAA Magazine Jan 2018 Issue 41

Issue 41 - March 2018 CYAA ©

The wind at the start was a brisk 22–24 knots as active work on Gazelle’s spinnaker sheet, Allegra
19 boats lined up to face three laps of a windward gradually gained. With 50m to go, Gazelle was
leeward course, the longest yet of the regatta and still in front then Allegra caught a nice wave to be
obviously the only race for that day. With a lead almost alongside. Gazelle got a wave and Allegra
of 2 points in the regatta over Pennyfarthing, pulled alongside on another wave as we crossed
Whimsical needed to finish first or second to the line. We thought they had pipped us in the
guarantee the title. last few metres but final results revealed Gazelle
by 1 second over Allegra! A stirring end for us to
All had a satisfactory start but almost the regatta, beating the owner of our boat by 1
immediately the port jib restraint mechanisms on second!
Merum (whose skipper John Hatch is an ex-
Aussie now living in Norway) said ‘enough’ and At the Presentation Party Gazelle won the 3rd
they retired. Our skipper expressed enthusiasm place trophy, the Jack Ayers/Ediss Boyle Trophy,
to beat a list of critical boats – the crew suggested for wooden boats. In the final race, we were 10%
“let’s look after the boat in these very strong behind the winner’s time. We had improved from
winds and just make sure we finish!” All boats 20% behind the winner in the first race on
faced a challenging first beat. Pennyfarthing just Monday so were pleased with the progressive
lead Whimsical around the first mark and it was gains, albeit at the back of the fleet.
game on. It was also a close tussle at the back of
the field, with Jennifer and Allegra just getting the Hero of the regatta was Terry Grundy – he owns
better of Gazelle as the last two boats had trouble nine of the yachts competing (Merum, Gazelle, Sea
tacking in time and overlaid the mark. Many, like Joy VI, Allegra (which he sailed), Adios III, Jennifer,
us, then elected to pole out headsails rather than ?? ) and his generosity in lending boats allowed
risk flying a spinnaker in the strong winds on the many to compete who couldn’t otherwise make
run back to the start mark. it. Many especially including the overseas
competitors remarked how friendly and
With the first lap successfully completed, the welcoming were the other crews and the event
winds abated slightly and suddenly we found organisers. Special thanks also go to Mary Rowe,
ourselves in what seemed almost perfect the aptly nicknamed ‘La Comm-adorable’ and
conditions for serious competition. The boat Rob Trenberth, the Vice Commodore for their
settled down and we must have done something hard work and great spirit.
better in the sail setup and we were both faster
and pointing higher than Allegra and Jennifer. Australian Imaging Contact Darren Egar
Suddenly we were a handy third last at the darren@ausig.com.au phone 0423 100 031
windward mark and up went the spinnaker for
the second run. With close sailing, the positions
changed little over the next lap, with Gazelle
Recent news from Metung
hoisting our spinnaker for the final run home a
couple of boat lengths ahead of Allegra who was On the 2018 Labour Day weekend the Metung
just in front of Jennifer. annual Dragon one design class regatta was
conducted by the Metung Yacht club.
At the front of the field, local Johno Johnstone
from Raymond Island had edged Ghost into the Charles Stephenson Trophy. Graeme Aldersea
lead over Whimsical, all the more remarkable for sailing Adios III won the overall trophy. Sea Joy
Ghost being one of the five wooden boats in the IV sailed by Terry Grundy was awarded the
regatta. Pannyfarthing was back in 4th and 91- John Cuneo Cup for the best performing timber
year-old Gordon Ingate had won the Prince boat. Sea Joy IV was built by Alwyn Jarman in
Phillip Cup again! At the rear of the field, despite Sydney in 1966 out of Honduras Mahogany.

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