Racing at SISC

2014 RESULTS…

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Season’s End Race

November 16, 2014

For most of those in attendance, it may have been a groggy morning, what with the lingering fog of the previous night’s Commodore’s “Ball” … but eventually, a small 6-boat fleet emerged from among the hoarfrosty docks…

For those who missed it, it was another glorious sail in exceptional weather for November. On the warm side of cool, 5 —maybe 8 — knots of shifty breeze from the NW, and bright sunshine. Even the after-the-race-picnic on the bench on the breakwater got some November early afternoon sun on it, making the story-telling enthusiastic.

Course: Batt Rock (P), Horda Shoals (P), Welbury spar (P), Club finish.

And here’s Philippe, with the results:

Using Club ratings:

Using PHRF base ratings:

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Long Harbour Race

November 2, 2014

There was a lot at stake here. First, we had to clear Long Harbour before 2:00 PM when the ferry came back! And Deryn Mor, with Philippe Erdmer as ringer, had fanciful visions of back-to-back victories…

But more importantly, Electra, Kay D, and Imp were all in tight contention for the Points Trophy, and after a whole year of dedicated sailing, today’s finish would determine who the winner would be!

Martin Herbert — our intrepid scribe — writes this tale of the race…

November second and overcast with slight spatters of rain could not deter a fleet of 13 boats turning up for this interesting race. And there was wind. In pre race manoeuvres it became apparent that it would be a shifty wind with major puffs arriving with changes in direction. That the change in direction was not always the same or even of the same magnitude added to the tactical challenge.

Aboard the Kay D Tony Meek, the tactician, called for a starboard pin end start and a tack into the Saltspring shore at first opportunity. So at 20 seconds to go the Kay D was on the lay line to the pin, sails ragging, reserving her spot. Charging up from astern was Ogopogoo, the very fast Left Coast Dart while Electra was barrelling downwind with the intention of gybing around and grabbing the same spot.

Kay D accelerated to hit the line on the gun while Paul Faget on Ogopogo roared out vocally to alert Electra that she had no rights. Roger slammed the helm over and occupied the space that Kay D had just exited and all three boats had an excellent start. The wind had lifted even further making the starboard end that much more favoured.

The Kay D hung onto the lead for some minutes until Ogopogo sailed through her lee and climbed up to give her backwind. The closer winded Electra had also moved up to windward and overtook which allowed the Kay D to tack over to the starboard side. Here she found some lovely lifting blasts which kept her with the front runners and allowing her to cross the bows of Caliente on the first cross. The big red boat soon started to move out and Ole Anderson had her leading the fleet by the time the fleet was leaving the harbour.  Ogopogo and Electra, always well sailed, were second and third out and heading towards Prevost.

Radiant Heat and Deryn Mor also played the starboard side and benefited from the lifting gusts but then Deryn Mor must have gotten out of phase with the shifts and dropped back. At Horda Shoals the first three rounded in the same order then came Kay D, Radiant Heat, Wildfire and Imp. It became apparent the Caliente had elected to sail NFS and she was soon hunted down by first the Dart and then Electra, who momentarily grabbed second just before Clam Shell Island. In the single handed spinnaker drop aboard Electra the big red boat slipped back into second. Imp had moved up to fifth by the bottom mark.

The wind was now fairly steady in Long Harbour and a very pleasant beat out ensued, in much steadier winds than Ganges Harbour had been. This was possibly the best sail down and back in Long Harbour that I can remember. Kay D rounded Scott Point in fourth and could see a spinnaker on Ogopogo far in the distance but none on Electra who was sailing high of the Sisters. Undeterred up went the spinnaker on the Kay D, which she was able to hold all the way home, hitting 7.2 knots on the beam reach and maintaining her lead on Imp. On the run down Imp started closing and only some puffs at the end of the leg kept the Kay D ahead. Ogopogo took line honours while Electra pulled through into second on the long spinnaker leg to the club Caliente finished third.

Special mention to Ben Sutton on Wind Dancer, out for his first race this year and very welcome. Also to R. B. Bortz, on Effervescence I who sailed over from Long Harbour so that he could race back. It always great to have R.B. out with us. And Thirteen boats out, and that is with several of our most stalwart racers not in attendance. I take it as a sure sign that our racing fleet is revitalizing and will only get stronger under the steady hand on the helm, thank you Kevin Vine. (The rainfall that started at 135 pm and beat the wind down did not help Kevin in his quest to win back to back races.)

November… good wind, not cold, nice fleet, aren’t we a lucky bunch.

Martin Herbert, grinning from the side deck of the Kay D

 And from Philippe:

PHRF-CC

PHRF-NW

As you can see, we all made it home before the ferry entered Long Harbour. However, Deryn Mor — despite the enthusiastic efforts of the crew — had a mid-fleet finish.

But most importantly, Electra’s brilliant finish today resulted in a photo finish Total Points victory! Congratulations, Roger! And to Craig and Martin, too, for giving such close chase!

Here’s the Total Points breakdown, (again from Philippe):

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Montague Harbour Race

October 26, 2014

Even the re-run was a drifter… interesting results! 😉

KV

PHRF-CC

PHRF-NW

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Jack Langdon Race

October 19, 2014

This Sunday was another gift… even though it was the 19th of October. The weather was amazing and it turned out to be a near perfect sailing day.

The 1000 skippers’ meeting was attended by representatives from 10 boats… a great turnout. But the harbour was a millpond.

Kay D — with Martin and Tony — was the scratch boat this morning, scheduled to start at 1030 in this reverse handicap event. At 1020 it looked pretty bleak, but there were suggestions of something filling in from the end of the harbour… an easterly? We postponed for 10 minutes, but still the start was slow and anguishing. Even Caliente — starting last — struggled as the wind swapped directions 180° just after they’d managed to get their spinnaker up and sort of flying.

The slow start allowed Paul’s and April’s Ogopogo to slip away to a lead they never relinquished. I had the privilege of sailing on Kaitoa with Philippe, and by the Ben Mohr Rock rounding, we had managed to get into second place behind the slippery well-sailed Dart. It may have been Kay D followed by Wildfire who rounded Ben Mohr next, but I’m not sure… Philippe and I were too busy trying to keep the boat trimmed and on course to notice…

What was clear to us on Kaitoa, in our occasional glances back, was that the fleet was compressing… and the pressure was on…

As everyone charged toward the finish line, Caliente’s higher-faster downwind angles paid off and the big red boat squeezed off Kaitoa and at the eleventh hour managed to finish several boat lengths ahead. Mind you, by this time, Ogopogo was watching both of us, safely tied up at the dock.

As my intrepid skipper — Philippe — observed, the difference in finishing times for the SISC fleet, after racing for nearly 3 hours, was only 8 minutes.

The results of the Jack Langdon Reverse Handicap Race…

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Round Penders Single-Handed Race

September 20 & 21, 2014

Saturday was a sparkling day with a fine sailing breeze. Sunday was a sparkling day too, but without a breath of breeze anywhere until after we had tied up the last of the boats in their slips at SISC for the day when a gentle and compelling SE arose… Timing is everything.

Eleven skippers showed up at the Skippers’ Meeting on Saturday morning… a keen group eagerly looking forward to the weekend.

The question of the hour was: “Which way do you go around Prevost Island?” The ensuing discussion seemed vague and noncommittal — or maybe it was secretive — and didn’t last long. I think it was secretive. The forecast NW breeze was right on the money, and the fleet was eager to get away.

Read Martin’s report, below…

The 2014 Round Penders Race was shifted to late in September this year and had a strong turn out of eleven boats.

The running start with spinnakers in various states of deployment set the stage for an exciting first leg. Velica’s Starboard approach to the outer pin was well timed and allowed her to gybe around a spinnaker-hoisting Flying Fifteen into good position. At the other end of the line Ogopogo also made a good start and was soon streaking off under asymmetrical chute.

Velica held high towards Goat Island, taking your unsuspecting writer towards a lovely streak of wind. Once in this band there was a lively exchange of places as the quicker accelerating FF would surge ahead on the start of the puff to then be overtaken on the lull that followed. After some minutes of this fun Velica found her reaching groove and moved ahead. On the lee side of the harbour the Left Coast Dart was making great strides and at the Sisters showed her intension of taking Prevost to Port. Velica put down her helm and made for Scott Point. The gauntlets had been thrown down by the leaders. My personal decision had been to go round to Port but as I got to the Sisters there was a huge calm spot along the Prevost shore that extended from Secret Island to Point Liddell all the way out to the Channel Islands. There was wind showing in Captain Passage. Still under spinnaker and charging after Ogopogo I was still uncertain I decided to base my decision on how upright the Dart became as she transitioned into the calm looking water. When she stood almost upright I took the plunge, dropped my spinnaker and held close hauled, still able to lay the tip of Prevost. Velica and Caliente were now well ahead of me, close in to Scott point and in less wind. Sprite had closed and was going well. Under my jib I could see the Dart playing the edge of the wind line and postponing the entry into the hole until the last minute, a very wise tactic.

It was still a very hard call as to which way around Prevost would turn out the best and the fleet divided pretty evenly on the choice. Then the wind headed in Captain Passage and turned it into a beat. [The boats on the other side maintained a leisurely but relatively steady beam reach. Ed.]

Velica charged across into James Bay and was soon around Peile Point. Caliente followed, then the two Flying Fifteens, changing places in the shifting wind and tide surges. Once around spinnakers were hoisted again by those who could and the NFS fleet worked hard to stay ahead. Charging down the side of Prevost with the other half of the fleet out of sight is very exciting, especially as you approach the spot in your mind where you think “we have them!”.

And just before that joyous yell, there they were. Rats.

In the end it was too close to call which side did better and the holes in Navy Channel shook it up even more. Velica chose the Mayne side of the Channel and did very well. Ogopogo lingered off Davidson Bay for a few minutes but was then seen heeled to 40 degrees exiting into Plumper Sound. Deryn Mor, having beaten all the FF’s into Navy Channel found a hole on the Pender shore but saved her day with a beautiful spinnaker reach to the finish. The common thing about these three boats was that they all sailed strong smart races and earned their way to the podium.

Ashore the fun was all it had been expected to be and the band was also very good. The food and drinks, excellent.

Day two provided a very scenic motor around South Pender and home. Many thanks to Ole and Philippe for towing the FF’s. Despite the lack of wind on the second day this is still my favourite race.

Martin Herbert
aboard the Kay D

Thanks to both Eric and Ole for hosting the Saturday Afternoon Travelling Happy Hours aboard their boats. The Port Browning Pub had us booked and accommodated by 6:15 and provided us with great food, beverages, and service for the evening. The band was an 8-piece little-big band of local musicians — Big House Voodoo — who did an excellent job of providing the music and entertainment.

This was a great way to spend the weekend, despite Sunday’s non-existent sail. Thanks for coming, everyone. Already looking forward to next year!

And here’s Philippe with the results…

PHRF-CC

PHRF-NW

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Bas Cobanli Memorial Race

August 27, 2014

Nine boats participated. We had guest boat OGOPOGO join us from Galiano Island.

A five minute head start (and time bonus) was given to E-TICKET and ESCAPE at the skippers’ meeting, to give them room to start and encourage them to persevere. The course was U-62 (P), Clamshell Island in Long Harbour including the two buoys (S), Horda Shoals buoy (S), Welbury spar (P) and finish.

The race was fairly close until Long Harbour, where OGOPOGO managed to get in and out just before the wind parked the fleet for half an hour. The last boats had to deal with the arrival of the Queen of Nanaimo also.

It was also the first race for new Club boat FIRST DRAFT, a Pocket Rocket 22-1, ably skippered by Douglas Woolcock (ex-GITANO).

The results…

PHRF-CC

PHRF-NW

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Wednesday Night Series C-5

August 27, 2014

No story?

Using PHRF-CC ratings

Using PHRF-NW ratings

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Wednesday Night Series C-4

August 20, 2014

Submitted by KV

Well…

What a fantastic night for sailing that was! 9 boats. Warm. 10 knots SE steady throughout. The weather man got it right.

The course to Ganges Shoal, Welbury Spar, back to Ganges Shoal, down into the harbour to Grace Point, with a short beat back through the live-aboards to the finish line was both fun and fast. It would be fair to say that this was one of the better — maybe even best — conditions for sailing in the recent past.

I was joined by my long-time buddy and sailing companion/nemesis, Louis Renaud, who made this event even more fun for me. I’ve usually asked for a 10 second rating compensation whenever Louis sails with me, but tonight, he was right on, and so I’ll forgo the request. (The request was never, ever, granted in the past, anyway…)   😉

It was great to see that Greg Slakov took a break from his house-building project to bring out Sprite for this event. Of all the Wednesday Night Races to choose, this was the one! And Steve Kibble joined the crew on Electra who wound up on the first place spot on the podium.

Of particular note was Gary Morrison sailing Iwalani single-handed. He may have been the last boat in, but he was the only boat given a cheer and hurrah as he crossed the finish line. Well done, Gary!

The difference this time in the Club Ratings results versus straight PHRF (see below) is interesting. Usually, the places either don’t change, or a couple of boats swap places. Tonight’s result suggests that someone pealed off the top two cards and then reshuffled the deck! Louis and I like the “Club Ratings” version best!

The  chips and beer party on the breakwater was great. It was fun to share the BS with you all.

Here are the results, thanks to Philippe…

PHRF-CC 

PHRF-NW

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Wednesday Night Series C-3

August 13, 2014

Contributed by Kevin Vine, FCR

I awoke this morning to the sound of rain pounding on the roof. The forecast had promised that it would let up by the end of the morning, but it didn’t. It rained on and off all day. Not that the countryside didn’t need it… but by 4 o’clock this afternoon, things had been pretty dampened… as was the prospect of a great turnout for Wednesday Night Racing…

Regardless, 5 intrepid sailors and their crew showed up. (On the other hand, my fair-weather-sailing crew who promised to bring the beer didn’t! I’ll have words with him later…)

It was cloudy, but there was no rain. The breeze at the start line was promising, but soon the harbour was streaked with catspaws of flukey, breathy, zephyrs that came and went. ICBM, Electra, and Imp pulled off to an early lead that they never relinquished. At the turning mark (Ganges Shoal) the little fleet was beginning to get spread out, leaving Kay D and Deryn Mor to bring home the rear guard.

As Kay D, followed shortly by Deryn Mor, rounded Ganges Shoal, a fog settled in. The eerie acoustics that a fog brings with it also settled in. Noises were both dampened and amplified. You could hear a seal frolicking nearby (is that what seals do?). In the distance you could hear the occasional engine hum as two or three small power boats scooted by. More interestingly, you could hear the sea planes as they flew by — just off the water — hoping to get the last run in for the day.

As I sailed toward the harbour’s end under spinnaker, the lead boats were completely lost in the fog. It was just me and the Kay D. At one point, I could hear a sea plane’s approaching engine. Then suddenly I could see him… heading directly at me, flying at what seemed like a mere 20 feet off the water. OMG! Can he see me? I can certainly see him!!

Thankfully, just before things got anywhere near dramatic, the sea plane veered off, and soon disappeared again into the mist.

Though at times very light, there was always wind. It was refreshingly cool… a sharp contrast from the recent heat wave. While there was a dampness to the air, nothing got really wet. The water, in general, was flat. And there was the challenge and excitement of fog. Perfect. (My absent crew had promised to bring the beer, so there was not much of that about… so perhaps, almost perfect…)

Craig Leitch may have a Broken Tiller Award nomination at some point for being seriously over-dressed for the occasion.

A great afternoon on the water. And Deryn Mor finally managed to beat Kay D over the line!

Here are the results, thanks to Philippe… The first three boats finished within 12 seconds of each other on corrected time!

PHRF-CC 

PHRF-NW

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Wednesday Night Series C-2

August 6, 2014

Thank you to Roger Kibble who offers his story for last Wednesday Night’s Race…

A short classic upwind /downwind racecourse to the Ganges Shoal mark and back was chosen by the skippers. The prevailing 5-6 knot southerly winds were sustained and consistent. On ELECTRA I was fortunate to have two young crewmen, Wisse Adringa and his US friend, Gavin, visiting from California. Both were able dinghy sailors and quick to master the complexities of ELECTRA’s cockpit.

At the start we saw most boats were crowding the SISC club end and so elected to avoid the melee and opt for a start at the other end which although less favoured was enjoying a building breeze. The fleet made a good start and we found ourselves to leeward of ICBM, IMP and KAITOA who had all obviously nailed the start and were going fast. ICBM blanketed our wind but ELECTRA was pointing higher than IMP who was being squeezed in the ICBM/ELECTRA sandwich. He slowed and had to tack away; first blood to ICBM.

Then KAITOA was moving faster and higher than ELECTRA and kept us going towards the shore both boats behind the ICBM rocket that kept going to the far shore. KAITOA tacked away and then ELECTRA tacked right at the shore following ICBM ‘s course. The flood tide didn’t appear to be strong but later moves demonstrated that this far shore was bequeathing some useful tide relief. IMP crossed ELECTRA by a boat length and to windward of ICBM who had by now tacked back to the far shore. We moved towards the center of the channel in the freshening breeze but when we tacked back both IMP and ICBM were still ahead, a gain to the lightweight sleds.

KAITOA had lost ground too on the tack over to the western shore and slipped behind the close battle between ICBM, IMP and ELECTRA. ICBM was first to round the Ganges Shoal mark, followed by IMP who had been delayed in an area of soft air below the mark. An extra tack by ELECTRA enabled her to gain back some ground and she rounded the mark right behind IMP.

ICBM quickly deployed their blue gennaker and moved towards the Eastern shore to keep in the best breeze. IMP and Electra followed using symmetrical chutes, my young lions hoisting our chute first. ICBM, IMP and ELECTRA led the fleet home after jibing once. KAITOA now moving fast under her powerful chute was starting to catch us up followed by the rest of the fleet. The wind had softened and it paid to watch the polar curves of the spinnakers to capture maximum VMG. All the four leading boats had to make one more jibe to the finish.

This upwind/downwind race resulted in the first six boats being separated by less than 4 minutes of corrected time and the first three boats were only separated by 12 seconds of corrected time! Surely this was a great demonstration of our local club rating protocol.

Roger Kibble, from the cockpit of ELECTRA

Here are the results, thanks to Philippe… The first three boats finished within 12 seconds of each other on corrected time!

PHRF-CC 

PHRF-NW

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Wednesday Night Series C-1

July 30, 2014

The first race of the “C” Season saw seven boats out on the course. Martin warned us that there wasn’t much wind at Ganges Shoal, but we chose it as the first mark anyway, and with the exception of Iwalani, the fleet managed to squeeze the past the buoy before the wind fell away entirely. The rest of the course brought the fleet back to the start line, out the 5 knot spar buoy and then home again.

It was a slow race, as the wind tapered out for the evening. However, because the breeze was selective and patchy, interesting combinations of boats merged at the marks, making for some fun mark-rounding.

Here are the results, thanks to Philippe…

PHRF-CC 

PHRF-NW

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Jack & Jill

 July 27, 2014

PHRF-CC

PHRF-NW

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Wednesday Night Series B-8

July 16, 2014

Wednesday Evening Race… July 23rd

The following recount of this exciting race is offered by Roger Kibble from his perspective at the helm of Electra…

Accurate wind anticipation, pre race planning, on course strategy and quick reaction were critical factors in last [Wednesday] night’s race that experienced even more than our usual variable conditions. The wind was light just before the start and then it started to build and invade the course in isolated spots wandering around haphazardly with dramatically shifting angles and strengths. These strange winds were laced with rain every now and then followed later by oddly contrasting drying airs. This presented both opportunities and frustrations for the six competitors who entered this most challenging race. Second Wind, Kaitoa, Imp, Electra, Final Dash and ICBM were all supported by a full complement of enthusiastic crews.

Nick and two strapping teenage lads joined Electra as crew and that was to prove vital in our response to the lightening fast wind shifts and sail handling challenges. Also we managed to get out on the course before the skippers meeting and so discovered the extreme orientation of the shifting wind conditions. We sailed up the Harbour following the wind as it circled about delivering sudden 90-degree shifts and tried to attribute some rhyme and reason to the wind patterns. We perceived a left to right tendency in the wind oscillations and also noted the areas where the wind prevailed.

Just before the start the wind was light so we kept close to the start line in case it vanished altogether. We noted that some breeze had filled in beside the SISC dock and so embarked on a most atypical starting strategy. We pointed Electra outside and ahead of the dockside mark at the one minute gun, gained some useful boat speed and better boat control, sailed downwind by the dock, kept up our boat speed and tacked smartly around the pin at the start gun and to windward of Second Wind who was going slow and almost drifting over the line. We soon tacked back to regain the stronger breeze by the SISC dock and enjoyed a significant lift all the way to Walter Bay. We then tacked and started our plan to keep sailing in this wind’s moveable feast knowing from our pre racecourse research that a huge shift soon awaited us.

In the meantime the rest of the fleet had started on a starboard tack led by Imp who tacked first into the always-moving stronger air. Imp crossed Electra just ahead but was heading away from the developing breeze. Electra was gradually lifted and then blessed by a big shift which prompted a quick tack to follow the predicted left to right wind shift tendency. My two green, teen crew were fast learners and they quickly and almost intuitively mastered sail trim adjustment on the complex Electra. Luca, a visitor from Brazil, had a rare natural tendency to ease the jib sheets rather than over trim them, a talent that could make him win the Olympics one day.  Both Johnny and Luca precisely and perfectly followed directions uttered by Nick and myself sometimes before we spoke….. Oh to be fourteen again!

ICBM followed Electra but other boats opted to move more over to the other shore. The wind continued its wild gyrations and lifted Electra further ahead as she moved up the Harbour. Shallow water obliged us to tack and follow a wind line back to the left side until we were knocked by another wind vortex that permitted a sharp tack towards more breeze. Thus we were lifted again with better VMG to the Ganges Shoal mark and still in front of Imp and Final Dash and the fast moving Kaitoa. ICBM was keeping station with us a few lengths behind.

Again the wind ahead was moving away from us so we tacked towards the Second Sister and crossed ahead of Final Dash, Imp and Kaitoa. We kept going to ensure a fast approach to the Ganges Shoal mark, which seemed to be in a calmer area. The rest of the fleet became stalled here as Electra close reached for the mark which she rounded some five boat lengths in front of ICBM followed by Final Dash, Imp, Kaitoa and then Second Wind who had missed some critical wind shifts and could not accelerate as smartly as her lightweight competition.

The initial downwind route was a beam reach and spinnakers were set as soon as possible. Soon the more powerful changeable winds made sail handling an exercise in chaos as crews struggled with sudden gusts and changing direction. It dawned on us that the wind was about to become a Northerly and we struggled to take down our over stressed kite. Then the wind seemed to vanish as if suddenly withdrawn by the deft hand of God. Some boats behind started to gain on us and ICBM deftly sailed by below us. Electra struggled to discover some useful air and soon it became another game of responding to major wind oscillations as we rushed towards the finish line. Final Dash was moving up having overtaken Imp and Electra was now chasing the fast ICBM who opted for a starboard beat to the center channel. Electra followed but tacked back to the western shore on a shift and in search of opportune lifts and more breeze.

At the finish ICBM port tacked fast towards the out side pin from the center while Electra came from the lower side. Both boats had to tack in a big gust to gain the finish line some fifty seconds apart, an exciting end to an unusual race. Final Dash was coming on strong heeling wildly from side to side with Kaitoa and Imp close behind going very fast. Second Wind brought up the rear in quieter conditions after this oscillating wind dance was over.

It certainly pays to make a race plan before you start, get out on the course early, be open to strategic response and have a couple of strong young teens aboard who have no fear!

Roger Kibble

The results from Philippe…

PHRF-CC

 PHRF-NW

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Wednesday Night Series B-7

July 16, 2014

PHRF-CC

 PHRF-NW

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Wednesday Night Series B-6

July 9, 2014

I did a little race post-mortem about Electra’s poor performance in last night’s race and I thought this analysis would be helpful to others.

In last night’s race Electra needed 7 minutes and 20 seconds to tie with the winning boat who was also sailing to a scratch PHRF rating. Electra experienced many trials and tribulations in this little race and lost time all along the course from her inattentive Skipper.

I was single handing and that is always a challenge when flying a chute on a big boat. Also I forgot that my chute was not packed properly after my weekend VRC regatta in Vancouver and when it was launched it was twisted like a honeysuckle climbing a vine. But I made many other errors in the race too which are summarized below. I have estimated time lost in boat lengths for all these strategic and handling errors and compiled my race scenario.

The start line last night was very short and less than the recommended 540 feet needed to fairly accommodate 12 boats of an average 30 feet length each so sailing near the line was difficult. Also the starting line buoy at the club dock end is only a boat length away from the dock thus creating a potential traffic jam for the unwary. All this made getting a clean start a challenge.  I judged that it was important to get a windward position as Electra’s balanced sail plan is unusually sensitive to being blanketed by other boats.  In hindsight the wind was more brisk at the pin end and a port tack approach at the other end might have been a better strategic option. As it was I was on the line at the gun but a little slow and unable to head up to protect a fast approaching Phil Grange on Yolanda who sailed fast, close and right over Electra. I was almost stopped and had to tack away to get clean air. Even then I had to wait to avoid Rob Denny who made a similar smart start and was also to windward on a starboard tack. Very quickly I had lost 10-20 lengths on Yolanda and also on other boats who had started further up the line. I was suddenly at the rear end of the fleet!

I set out to head for the Chain Island side to seek better air and benefit from likely lifts. I did this and started to make up ground. I kept above Ganges Shoal and tacked in the strongest wind to this mark thus arriving ahead of Radiant Heat and Velica who had been ahead. I should have tacked immediately and headed for Welbury Spar but I was too relaxed and let my mind wander and thought that Welbury would be further down the Harbour. For a while I was hard on the wind towards Captain’s Passage thus going slower and above the mark which I could not see.

Gradually it dawned on me that the boats ahead did not have to tack and I had to ease the sheets to make up for lost ground. Velica was now almost bedside me.

I managed to round Welbury ahead of Vincent and Tony and prepared for the spinnaker deployment. The halyard was unusually stiff and I remembered too late that I planned to repack this sail after the Vancouver races. It was a grand mess and it took a lot of time to unravel the coiled lines and twisted sail cloth. The boat was sailing way off course while I toiled away on the foredeck. By the time I had managed to set the sail I was at least 40-50 boat lengths behind Velica and Radiant Heat instead of being in front of them.

I made up a little on the downwind leg but not much and this increment was given away taking down the chute and setting the jib while rounding the Harbour end pin. Once again the helm was left untended while the crew struggled with sail management.

Here is a rough estimate of where all my time was lost.

Start…….blanketed and slow on line  ………………………………..10 to 20 lengths

………….2 unplanned extra Tacks…………………….…………………….3-5 lengths

…………over stood the Ganges shoal mark………………………..…10 – 20 lengths

…………major spinnaker twist…….sailed away from mark…………..40-50 lengths

…………slow boat while sorting sail………………………………………..…10-15 lengths

……….. less efficient sail management  at Harbour end pin……………  2-5 lengths

Overall between about 75 -130 boat lengths were lost.  This equates to to a delta of about between 300 – 520 seconds at 4 seconds per length or roughly between 5 – 9 minutes or between 375 – 575 seconds per length or roughly between 6 – 10  minutes. It’s easy to see where little errors quickly multiplied into major time lost.

It was easy to see ahead and note that Caliente, Final Dash and ICBM were not making these errors.

Oh well, there is always the next race!

Roger on Electra

 PHRF-NW

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Wednesday Night Series B-5

July 2, 2014

It had been blowing pretty hard down the harbour all day, and even though it seemed like the wind was softening, the fleet chose a lengthy course well out into Captain Passage and back. Just as the start sequence began the wind began to become spotty, with some boats finding it difficult to keep moving. I’m sure that it went through a few heads that the chosen course might be more than was bargained for. However, within minutes, the shoreline trees began dancing with a new wind from the other end of the harbour, that swept the boats at the back of the fleet up to join those at the front. In contrast to last week, the two boats — Iwalani and Radiant Heat — who elected to sail NFS did very well in the shifty conditions! [KV] THE REPORT by Martin Herbert The wind had been blowing 20 knots in the afternoon but had dropped to 10 by race time. Still an ambitious course of Batt Rock, Welbury Spar, Grace Point and home was set and the fleet got away cleanly. Imp hit the line with good speed and led the charge to Goat Island. Several boats tacked to Port and played the Saltspring side or tacked on the shifts up the middle. There were massive shifts and great holes to be found so no tactic was completely safe. Caliente was first out of the harbour but soon the big red boat was standing up straighter and straighter as she sailed out of the wind. Once the fleet was clear of the Sisters it became a game of chance with Electra sailing away from the mark to get to the left of the fleet. It looked good for a while then Iwalani and Yolanda came romping down with new wind from astern, with Yolanda the first to break out a spinnaker. It seemed every boat was destined to make a huge comeback after languishing in a large hole, and so there was a line abreast of almost the whole fleet, hot on the heels of Caliente and gunning for second place. As Caliente rounded Batt Rock she had been on a tight reach and gybed her spinnaker, hoping to reach to Welbury Spar. The next two spinnaker boats did the same but by this time they were sheeted tight and 30 degrees off the mark. Radiant Heat was sailing NFS and rounded smartly and headed for Welbury on a direct line as did the Kay D, both moving up through the fleet. By Welbury Spar the wind had swung and it was a beat into increasing wind. But even with the return of strong wind there were still major shifts and holes to confuse and scramble the order. Almost to Grace Point and Caliente graciously waited again for the fleet to catch up, then tired of this tactic and caught a good gust and romped home. Tony Brogan on Radiant Heat, single handed and no flying sails aced this part of the course and came home second boat. Electra, who had found some stunning hole early on in the race rounded out the top three boats home. The calms were sent to try us and the blasts to test us and there was some very fine sailing done when the chances allowed. A good night to be on the water. Martin Herbert hiked over the side of the Kay D THE RESULTS by Philippe Erdmer

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Wednesday Night Series B-4

Sunday, 22 June 2014

Captain Passage

Sunday, 22 June 2014

Martin Herbert aboard the Kay D

Using PHRF-NW Ratings:

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Wednesday Night Series B-3

Wednesday, 18 June 2014

The following photo by Barbara Rainbow was sent along by Vincent Argiro Here’s Martin Herbert’s contribution… Good winds made for a short race, under an hour for Caliente who took line honours. The course went out of the harbour using Ganges Shoal and Welbury Spar for a dog leg beat and a dog leg run to the finish. Entertainment was provided by Tony Brogan on Radiant Heat squeezing out weather boats by driving his boat almost into the eye of the wind. Red flags were flapping as Yolanda fell into the trap but Velica neatly side-stepped the manoeuvre by tacking off and sailing around the obstacle. Imp, Kay D and Yolanda had a close and exciting rounding of Welbury Spar. ICBM got some puffs on the reach that almost shook her onto a plane and she did hit nine knots for a moment. A course with some smoking reaches would really let her shine. On the run home Caliente flew her spinnaker like a kite for a few minutes, the big red sail seeming to be higher than the mast…How do you do that, no one was telling.

Martin offers several suggestions as an alternative to the usual course selections:

On an evening with a wind like last night’s… – keep the race in the harbour with lots of mark rounding and crew training and boat handling – have two short races – make use of the mark off Grace Point so that we can lower our spinnakers under race conditions and finish on a beat – strategically place one or two more marks in the harbour – look for opportunities to create reaching legs

As Martin says: “If we don’t challenge ourselves how can we expect to get better and improve our sailing?”

And here are the results, thanks to Philippe Erdmer…

Wednesday Night Race (B-3) Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Using PHRF-CC

Using PHRF-NW

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Wednesday Night Series B-2

Thursday, 12 June 2014

The June 11 Wednesday Night Race (B-2) was re-scheduled for Thursday, June 12, to accommodate the Dock Finger Replacement Volunteer Appreciation Party whose only available date was the 11th, and given that as many as a dozen of the racing fraternity were heavily involved in the project, the date needed to be shifted.

 At the Skippers’ Meeting, a vigorous breeze suggested the fleet venture beyond the harbour to Welbury Spar and back again. As the starting sequence began its countdown, the wind suddenly went very light… and and alternative race course — to Ganges Shoal and back — was announced.

 The start of the race went from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again, as the wind teased the fleet with sporadic and unpredictable puffs. At the starting horn, most of the fleet found itself on the wrong side of the line, without enough wind to move their boats.

 Probably the best start of all was from Gary Morrison in Iwalani who found an uncluttered space on the starboard side of the line, which he glided across while the rest of the fleet tussled with each other on the port side. And probably the worst start was from Caliente, who was well over the line at the start, going the wrong way. However, as Caliente struggled to get back where she belonged, she caught a private puff to get her moving as she swung around the starboard buoy, which stuck with her and within less than a minute, she was leading the fleet down the harbour, and went on to win the race handily.

 Within the first few minutes of the race, several boats had re-started, others completed penalty circles, and at least one little starboard tacker pushed themselves past a big port tacker that had no steerage.

 It was quite a sight to see from the dock!

With Club ratings:

Base PHRF:

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Wednesday Night Series B-1

Wednesday, 4 June 2014

Wednesday Night 4 June 2014 Record Attendance! A warm Wednesday evening breeze greeted the record 13 boats that showed up for the first race of this series. It was great to see a couple of new faces: Patrick Wolfe-Milner in La Mouette and Gary Morrison in Iwalani. David Wood’s Final Dash and Mattie Troyer’s ICBM also re-entered the scene, returning to the race course for the summer series. The course to Ganges Shoal (P) – 5 knot buoy (P) – Breeze (P) – 5 knot buoy (P) – Finish kept skippers and crews busy as the breeze remained steady throughout. The Aprés-the-Race Appies and Beers on the Breakwater was attended by more people than could fit on the picnic benches… the table-tops were covered with chips, dips, sausages, and other goodies, spiced up with animated tales of bravado and bluster, jokes and laughter. The old cliché — “a good time was had by all” — would certainly be appropriate… a great start to the series. Here’s the results, thanks to Philippe… With Club ratings:

Base PHRF:

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The McMillan Trophy Race

Sunday, 11 May 2014

The 2014 version of this race started with wind in the harbour but very little showing in Captain Passage and rumours of none in Trincomali Channel. None the less an enthusiastic start set nine boats off on the 10.6 nm race. Kaitoa Port tacked the start at the favoured end and smartly tacked in front of the Kay D to jump into an early lead. The conditions were shifty with 30 degree changes in heading common and the duration of the shifts very irregular. Kaitoa worked out a good lead with Radiant Heat picking off some good shifts to pull into second. Yolanda also found some favourable air on the Saltspring Shore and was doing well. Soul Thyme and Wildfire played the Deadman Island shifts well and hailed your writer as they passed ahead to make sure this brilliant manoeuvring was duly noted. Beyond the Sisters there was a deathly flat spot and no sign of wind. Kaitoa stayed left and headed toward Welbury Spar Marker. The wind extended a little further on the Saltspring Shore and tempted most of the fleet to put their eggs in that basket. Having sailed a very uninspired beat so far I was now listening attentively to my tactician Tony Meek when he reminded me of times we had lingered in the lee of that shore. We tacked and headed towards Welbury in the wake of Kaitoa. Shortly thereafter a line of wind appeared off Scott Point and gradually filled in towards Prevost Island, ever so slowly creeping towards us. Kaitoa got it first and continued sailing into it and shortly we were in it as well, tacking over and on the lay line to Batt Rock, the first of two markers in this race. In by the Saltspring Shore the fleet was moving very slowly and Radiant Heat appeared to do a full 360 degree turn at one point. [Tony tells me his 360° was due to paying too much attention to sail trim and not enough to race course hazards. He inadvertently got entangled in a crab trap! KV] Yolande was closest to shore and was hurt the most. One by one we crossed bows struggling towards the new wind until we had moved into second place. To windward of us was Kaitoa, now romping for the mark in building wind which was freeing us off more and more. We elected to bear off below the lay line and hoist our spinnaker, hoping to stay out of adverse tide for as long as possible. This worked well as our speed soon matched that of Kaitoa and then surpassed it. As we converged on the mark we tried to go through her lee but found it impossible so we headed up hard and took her stern, getting inside overlap and mark room to round first. Our breeze was fading and we were on the lookout for the next breathe of air. We chose to reach off low towards Prevost while Kaitoa went high towards Scott Point. The fleet, close packed and not far behind found themselves battling the tide in the reduced wind while the two leaders were riding the river towards Captain Passage. Essentially there were now two races, the two boat battle for line honours and the tide bound struggle for third place. Such was the cruelty of the timing of the lull that the gap soon became so great that none of the heroics of the fleet could be seen or reported. Hopefully someone will step forward to fill in the blanks. [While Kay D and Kaitoa finished hugely handsome lead the rest of the fleet finished with merely 31 minutes between third and last finisher! Clearly, Kay D and Kaitoa prayed for wind the hardest, but salvation came anyway to the rest of the fleet who finished in a pretty tight pack! KV] Kay D and Kaitoa split tacks and ended up on opposite sides of Captain Passage with first one then the other looking like they had a good lead. Kaitoa got through the passage first but was well upwind of the mark. In a replay of the first leg Kay D close reached under spinnaker, this time making it through the lee and again into first place at Ben Mohr Rock. But Kaitoa was not yet finished and on the close reach to Peile Point drew right up to the leader. At the last minute a puff and a lift allowed the Kay D to again set her spinnaker and scoot away. Just off Nose point the wind died and shifted 180 dgrees and the two contingents of the fleet passed with spinnakers flying in all directions. A short beat ensued, then a glorious close reach to the Sisters and a wind blowing steady to the finish line. Kaitoa set her spinnaker and began clawing her way back, reeling in the Kay D. Having made a perfect call on her gybing angles Kaitoa was given a rousing cheer from all hands on the Kay D as She surged through the lee to take line honours. It was a wonderful close battle and a very enjoyable race for us. Something must have happened in Trincomali Channel because after putting our boats away and having a good rehash of the race there was still no third place boat in sight. As we tacked around Nose Point I remember seeing many boats in close quarters so I am sure they must have had many good battles and tales to tell. Now on to the “Round Saltspring” next weekend. Pray for wind. Martin Herbert Results: Using PHRF-CC

Moresby-Portland Race

Sunday, 27 April 2014

And what a day on the water it was! How can you beat hull-speed sailing for essentially 5 hours? Fast. Faster! And even too fast… as most — if not all — boats became overwhelmed by the breeze at some point! Exhilarating sailing at its best! I wonder if this Moresby-Portland was a record finish for this race? Even the last boat finished just after 3 o’clock this afternoon! The Skipper’s Meeting was attended by the skippers and crew from 11 boats… a great turn out. (I counted 14 boats from today’s SNSYC racing fleet that we passed through en route. Our turnout of 11 was admirable, given the respective size of both our clubs.) The skippers’ choice was to take the course to Port, and a good choice it turned out to be! Wayward sailor Art Munneke showed up to crew on Yolanda, just to prove that, in fact, he had survived his incredible south sea ordeal and was back on Saltspring and back in the saddle. (I know, perhaps the wrong metaphor.) The weather forecast turned out to be pretty close to what actually happened on the water (I’m sure the weathermen would have been pleased about that). From our perspective on the water, it varied from modest, but variable-sort-of-southish winds at the start to a full-on 40 knot SW (reported by Vincent) at the Channel Islands during the brief, but dramatic — heart-thumping, actually — passing of a squall. But most of it was a terrific SW 10-15 knot breeze… exactly what had been predicted. Perfect, IMHO, for this race. Here’s our resident scribe’s — Martin Herbert —report:

The wind was up and it was decided to do the big race, the 26.2 nautical mile marathon that often has to be abandoned. The skippers meeting was short and by a show of hands it was decided to go around Port About. It was good to see Art Munneke out and sailing on Yolande with Philip Grange and Larry Melious. The wind was blowing about six knots and very shifty before the start with a heavily favoured port end. At about three minutes to the gun the wind shifted so that a Starboard tack boat could run the line and make a safe right of way start which made things easier. Many boats opted for this option but with the wind speed shifting a timed run was difficult. Imp was slightly early and had to peel off leaving Kay D in the best spot just slightly ahead of Caliente, enough ahead to flop onto Port tack and head over to Walter Spit. Yolande also managed to get clear on Port tack and both sailed to a nice header off the spit that let them tack in good position. Meanwhile Caliente lead the charge to Goat Island, pursued by Imp and then the fleet tightly packed. There ensued tactical swordplay, much defeated by the shifting wind with glory being spread far and wide. Some of the highlights were Velica’s gamble right on the Saltspring shore that looked to be going so bad and then turned out so good. On the other side of the course Mystic sailed wide hoping for more wind, enjoying that for some time then changing sides and crossed over to enjoy some wind inside. It is a rare occurrence that this works but Mystic pulled it off and moved up to second place as a result.

Once out to Batt Rock close observation of crab pot buoys showed no sign of the tide turning as advertised. It became a free for all through the starboard passage of the Channel Islands with the winds gusting and swinging through 30 degrees. From here the Kay D got to greet most of the fleet as she worked her way back to last place by Beaver Point. Wildfire sailed a great leg picking off boat after boat. Then came the beat up to the end of Portland and Celia Reef marker. Tony Brogan drove inshore to Portland and short tacked out of the tide, moving up, then Imp took over the inside position. Kay D and Yolande traded places several times with Kay D finally calling the lay line to the mark to move ahead.

Around Celia Reef it was Caliente by a long shot, followed by Mystic, Velica, Electra, Radiant Heat, Wildfire, Albatro, Imp, Kay D, Yolande and Kaitoa. The leg to Pt. Fairfax was a beam reach with many gusts. Only Electra and Kay D sailed the whole leg under spinnaker but as they marched forward other spinnakers bloomed on Imp, Wildfire and at the last minute on Mystic. The call was on the edge but if you had a well trained crew it was defiantly a positive. Electra moved through to second and Kay D rolled over Imp and Albatro and was surfing on Wildfire’s stern wave by the point. It was a dead run to Pelorus point and Imp played it best, gybing early and cutting inside the fleet picking off Radiant Heat, Wildfire and drawing abreast of Kay D. Once around Pelorus Point this group could see the leaders and it was a confusing view. Caliente was well ahead and close reaching under spinnaker. Velica and Electra were close under Moresby but in much less wind and Electra, with spinnaker up was headed much lower than the rhumb line. Mystic was well down to leeward and also headed. Aboard the Kay D the tactician, Tony Meek called for hugging the Moresby shore, and the view of Velica suddenly heeling and squirting off sealed the deal. Kay D spun up and crossed the stern of Imp heading inshore. Weirdly enough it seemed that the gust crashing down the Moresby slopes were strongest close to shore and spread and dissipated at they blew out. We got some wicked blasts and the boat jumped to 10.4 knots, Imp just to leeward getting buffeted and showing a great deal of bottom paint, before taking a few broaches. We drew abeam of Electra and could read the numbers on Velica by the time we got back to Beaver Point. And then the dark clouds.

So we were spinnakering towards the Channel Islands at a steady 9 knots with the sky turning black towards Ganges. Ahead Velica stands upright with all sails shaking as she is headed, surrounded by strong wind in a major shift. We are getting headed and although fully hiked out are spilling half the mainsail. Further ahead is Caliente, clearly beating to windward in strong wind. We now are at the point of no return, having chosen to take the Channel Islands to Starboard we now have a lee shore close under the bow. We dumped the spinnaker and as I was hauling it down Tony brought out the jib and the next angry gust ripped into us. To leeward Electra was charging through the gap between the islands still carrying her chute seconds away form the gust we were now battling.

Then things got ugly. According to Vincent’s instruments the wind went to 40 knots. I tend to agree because after we took green water over the lee side we were clipping to windward with the jib eased and 30% luffing and the main 90% luffing, just enough in to act as a trim tab and keep the boat in control. We moved into third place as boats around us fell to the conditions. Electra split her spinnaker and struggled under main alone as she set her storm jib. Wildfire rounded up so hard on one gust that her jib backfilled and caused her to do a 360 pirouette. It was so dark and the rain came so hard that we were gritting our teeth. Tony broke the tension by predicting that we would finish the race in bright sunshine under spinnaker. At that point Batt Rock had just emerged from the darkness and we could still not see the Sisters. Then blue sky appeared behind the clouds and ten minutes later we could sheet the sails in and then as the wind swung again we could hoist the spinnaker. Down to leeward the fleet hove into view and the mighty Mystic was seen charging through our lee. Caliente came into view and was still racing. Just before we got to Boulder Bay the wind shifted again and we were hard on the wind hunting for favourable puffs. Caliente took line honours at 14:17:02. Velica, after a brilliant race crossed at 14:34:04. Right at the finish line Mystic found an admirable lift and crossed third boat over the line at 14:37:10. Kay D crossed in fourth. Wildfire sailed a great race coming through the wildness to cross fifth, in fine form to mount the podium once the numbers were crunched. Imp, Electra, Yolande, Radiant Heat and Albatro rounded out the finishers. Kaitoa, again full of enthusiastic juniors, was a DNF as she had to get soccer players to a game and shortened her race to just one Island.

This was the fastest Portland Moresby Race that I can remember, a very exciting day on the water. The fleet was very close and the racing exciting, a day not to be missed.

Martin Herbert, clinging to the decks of the Kay D

And here are the results… Using PHRF-CC ratings:

Using PHRF-NW base ratings:

Round Prevost Island Race

Sunday, 30 March 2014

A dozen boats participated in the Round Prevost Race — a record for 2014! Thanks to everyone who joined the fleet! Below is a report from our faithful and diligent scribe, Martin Herbert:

A vote on the dock had the fleet going counter clockwise around Prevost and the Start was well horned by Caliente, and the fleet was off. The massive twelve boat turn out inspired a very well timed and exciting start with many boats at full speed on the line at the gun.

 Soul Thyme dominated the centre while Electra was going well at the Starboard end of the line. Caliente lead the charge to Goat Island off the Port end. Shortly after the start Kay D tacked to port, ducked Electra and banged the corner off Walter Spit, tacking on a header and grabbing the early lead. The Goat Island header did not appear and Caliente had to tack back on a very bad angle, leaving the small boat momentarily safe.

Before the Sisters hove into range the wind dropped and began shifting wildly. The fleet bunched up and boat speed dropped below single digits. 

Little fingers of wind ruffled the water and gave first one boat then another a blast. Electra got a zephyr and escaped the fleet and then Caliente got it and jumped in pursuit. The rest of the fleet bobbed for a while then spit out Soul Thyme and Velica. Sprite and Kay D were about three boat lengths apart and Kay D got out while Sprite did not so fickle was the wind. Finally everyone struggled out of the harbour into building wind but one that still had great holes. Caliente and Electra were dots on the horizon but we could still see how spotty the wind was because one second they would be standing straight up and the next heeled over to 30 degrees.

At this point individual battles broke out all through the fleet. Soul Thyme and Velica were locked in a dual and behind them Mystic lead Wildfire and Kay D. From the Sisters to Point Liddell Wildfire and Kay D changed places four times. When your writer rounded Point Liddell, Caliente and Electra were already out of sight around Portlock Point, so at least a mile and a half ahead. The breeze had built at this point and when we rounded the point and bore off onto a reach our speed jumped from 5 knot to 8 knots with the spinnaker straining. At the gybe at Portlock Point the leaders hove into view with Caliente leading just over 2 miles ahead. Then came Electra. Soul Thyme was ahead of Velica but as she had declared flying sails (I hadn’t seen one yet) it was Velica leading the non flying sails division, ahead of Mystic. The Kay D gained on this leg, cutting far inside of Wildfire and Mystic and the three boats were in a tight pack as the beat through Captain Passage commenced. Just at the Sisters the wind went light again, with Electra slowing and Soul Thyme and Velica finding some very confusing winds and having to do many tacks. Meanwhile Mystic Wildfire and Kay D closed in on a lifting Port tack gust that saw them again neck and neck as the gapping hole of no wind approached. Looking far ahead there was no sight of Caliente, probably snug in her berth.

Now Radiant Heat and Sprite rode the wind into the vortex of the harbour. Kay D momentarily put up her spinnaker in an attempt to pass between two boats beating on opposite tacks going in the same direction. This tactic did not work well and the sail was soon doused. Then Wildfire romped by in good wind and charged up challenging Mystic. Both these boats got caught on the outside of a massive lift that let the Kay D back into the game for what seemed like a photo finish. But Mystic was not to be outdone and with Silk Questo at the helm executed a perfect slam-dunk lee bow tack on the Kay D, a thing of beauty, and crossed the line. Wildfire crossed next winning the last of position changes with Kay D, now numbering 8. 

Martin Herbert

The balance of the fleet struggled home in fickle and exhausted breezes that oscillated back and forth by as much as 180°. There was nearly an hour and 40 minutes between the first and last boats’ finish times!

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Walker Rock Race

Sunday, 16 March 2014

Reports of a Westerly had skippers enthusing about a great reaching race but the day was to prove fickle. The wind shifted southerly just before the start and showed no signs of settling down. With the new start marks that were made by Ole Anderson deployed the gun sounded for five minutes to start. Boats checked the line and strategy was devised. The line showed a strong Starboard end bias but the wind was at the Port end so decisions had to be made. At the gun the Starboard end was crowded with very slow moving boats but the Port end saw three boats running the line to the mark. Timing was off on the Kay D and she had to gybe around and take the sterns of the other two, with Sprite getting a perfect start and Imp only seconds behind. Imp, with her superior boat speed and pointing angle soon went to the front with the two Flying Fifteens in hot pursuit. Did I mention that the boats at the Starboard end were moving very slowly. Soul Thyme managed to break free of that pack and lead the big boats on a charge to catch the three that were well away. By Scott point it was still Imp, Sprite and Kay D in the lead. Spinnakers were raised and on the Kay D speeds of 10 knots were recorded in the blasts. Soul Thyme and Electra were starting to move along, closing the gap but unable to catch the leaders as they entered Trincomali Channel. On the long run to Walker Rock the winds dropped and the long waterline lengths started taking effect. The Flying Fifteens were locked in a great duel with Greg and Sophie keeping ahead. Several times the boats were overlapped but Sprite would always pull away again. Most exciting close racing. Imp chose to keep to the Galliano Shore and was increasing her lead when she ran out of her wind. By the time she got to Walker Rock Electra was hot on her tail and Electra rounded closer to the rock making it a very close race indeed. These two were away with the last of the tide for the return trip as a failing wind parked the rest of the fleet. Deryn Mor was seen bringing new wind down with her blue and white spinnaker pulling valiantly, most probably leading on handicap. While the big boats had closed to within scone hurling distance it was still Sprite and Kay D around third and fourth. After Governor’s Rock the wind picked up and a great beating leg ensued. Soul Thyme, Second Wind and Oasis moved by the Flying Fifteens who were locked in a fantastic duel. With Sprite putting on a loose cover and maintaining a lead that varied from 5 -30 boat lengths, it did not look good for the Kay D but a sustained gust allowed the heavier crew to pull by just at Captains Passage. Meanwhile Imp and Electra had a grand battle all the way to the finish line with Imp taking Line Honours by 27 seconds, very impressive after four and a half hours of sailing. As often happens, the wind started to die as the rest of the fleet struggled to the finish line with Deryn Mor suffering the most. Such is the tragedy of handicap racing. All that aside, what a glorious day for a sail and what fun was had by all. Martin Herbert Hiked over the rail of the Kay D and smiling from ear to ear

The Spring Regatta

Sunday, 9 March 2014

Today’s Spring Regatta was in sharp contrast to last week’s attempt, which was cancelled due to snow, cold, no wind, and basically implement conditions. Today was warm (t-shirt weather, actually), and though the wind was light, it was always enough to keep us moving, albeit slowly. Below is our resident scribe’s (Martin Herbert) accounting of today’s excellent adventures on the water:

The second attempt to run the Spring Regatta was met with a flat harbour and the idle flapping of sails but the nine boats who showed up ventured out and the wind came in just in time. The first start was rather ragged as most of us forgot the newly appointed start line. Only the gracious hail from Caliente alerting us that we had not started brought us back and thus disappointment was averted. Only Caliente and Imp made good starts. At the weather mark (five knot buoy) these two were not surprisingly in the lead but the tricky run down to the second mark, “The Breeze” saw the fleet close up. Imp played the Goat Island side and picked up a wind that allowed her to scoot into the lead. The same breeze brought the Kay D up on the stern of Caliente and a little puff gave her an overlap just before the mark. Caliente cleverly held the Kay D very close to “the Breeze” and dumped her into the lee of the tug boat, reclaiming second spot. Sprite sailed wide around the tug and into the lead of the Flying Fifteen segment of the race, keeping boat speed on the whole way. Nice sailing Greg and Sophie. Imp went on to win the line honours

The second race saw Sprite at the lee end of the line making a charge for more wind in mid channel. Shortly after the start some Starboard tack lifts greatly benefited both Oasis and Kay D. Oasis had a great tacking duel with the Flying Fifteens, passing one then the other but never quite being ahead of both. Sprite lead this pack of three around the mark, all chasing Imp but with the mighty Caliente and Radiant Heat close behind. And here I must say something about these two boats. Caliente, with crew of Betsy, Derrick, Ian and Pete were on fire. Their spinnaker work was crisp and fast, they looked good. Tony Brogan, on Radiant Heat was effectively single handing as his crew looked like they were having a pleasant cruise, and he was doing it well, Bravo Tony. Caliente’s massive spinnaker stole the wind from most of the previous rounding boats, only the Kay D escaped by gybing away. Poor Sprite was pushed over to the Goat Island shore and into a wind hole of massive proportions. Imp and Caliente moved ahead on the run. Caliente took line honours while Imp was on the outside of a Starboard tack lift that allowed the Kay D to close the gap but not pass. These were your first three finishers in the second race.

The third race started after a lunch break and had more wind allowing for a longer course. The Port end was heavily favoured and again Sprite nailed the start. For some reason there was a gaggle of boats at the Starboard end in almost no wind and already a hundred yards behind. This was a fantastic race for the Flying Fifteens as the lead changed many times and only forty five seconds separated them at the finish. Caliente and Ole Anderson had a great race and took line honours. Radiant Heat had a superb second beat. Wildfire and Gyle Keating sailed had a most impressive spinnaker run home, passing me in fine style. But the moment of the regatta was taken by Deryn Mor and our fearless Fleet Captain Kevin Vine, who passed both Flying Fifteens on the last leg, big spinnaker pulling hard on the dying gasps of the wind. So impressive was his performance that he was immediately inducted into the FF Hall of fame.

And so the Spring Regatta was put into the books. Thanks were given at the skippers meeting for those members who have been adding value to the racing by their efforts. This week Ole Anderson has constructed thee markers for the club and hopefully by next week when we start the “Walker Rock Race” we will have a new starting line and perhaps a new lee marker off Grace Point again. Thank you Ole.

Martin Herbert aboard the Kay D

The Photos

from Betsy Johnston aboard Caliente

Here’s Ole Anderson looking like he’s trying to will his big C&C to go faster than Martin’s little Flying 15, which is clearly ahead at this point.

“Imp” leading the way around Breeze — the leeward mark — during the third race. Apparently there were some interesting shenanigans that were concealed behind the big old tug as several of the racing sail boats tried to be in the same place at the same time during one of the races. Good sportsmanship prevailed and everybody emerged from the other side of Breeze with a smile on their face! (Sort of.)