ACYC Club Sailing
Race Report 3 - Sunday September 12
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| Laundry washing on The Four Winds |
A grim early morning wakeup call of rain and no wind proved disappointing to the participants sailing in Race 3 of the
Tamarind Villa Services Series on Sunday. Fortuitous for some who were feeling under the weather due to the effects of a terrific party the night before? Nevertheless a job has to be done and one plows on. For one skipper and his crew member, the job carries more weight: honour and money. That is wagers are not agreed upon merely to be forfeited. Good thing the climate picked up that day!
A sea of glass and an outgoing tide greeted the eight boats and their crews at the 12pm start and for some it was a motor to the start line with engines off just before the sequence to cross and avoid a stern first sail. Meanwhile others lingered unintentionally behind the front line action while at least one catamaran in company with the other two sailing did so deliberately in an attempt to not sail well to lower their handicap in the performance handicap system.
The pre-start action saw the monohulls vying for the strategic positions that would place them in a position over the line well. Starboard was the favoured tack yet a look towards the pin end saw one on port - the over hundred year old refurbished fishing schooner Seraph, with a deckful of hands ready to sail, motoring alongside the fleet. Finally set to join an ACYC race... No, just the weekend partiers from ACYC Life Member Rob Azzopardi's 50th birthday having a good look. And, does he know how to hazz a party given the previous night's festivities!
Brightening skies and the low wind conditions saw crew hanging over the lifelines on the leeward side and seeking shady conditions as the race got on. In Racing, Babe, favouring the light winds, took an early lead leaving her classmates, Minx, Windstar and Emerald Blue struggling to gain ground in the around-the-buoys course. Reprieve from the heat of the day and the pressure of bets plus some separation amongst the three trailing boats came as the first buoy was approached. Mother Nature was beginning to cooperate to provide more favourable conditions and enliven moods to make for a more competitive and fun race as witnessed by shouts of joy and people moving to eventually sit on the high side to do some serious sailing.
Although Windstar and Minx continued to enjoy a friendly close race, it was Emerald Blue who fell behind in the stronger wind strength that ideally favour her. Lack of practice? Perhaps, but certainly smiles aboard Windstar where hands were being gleefully rubbed together with Skipper Peter Wood about to get the money he put in for Phil Vidal's membership back and pro golfer Ollie was to get the bunker no one wanted to rake cleaned up and the golf lessons he was to give paid for. Some serious work Phil! Does it matter if it was for first across the line or on handicap?
Cruising saw Mathong and The Four Winds sailing their own races with the catamaran claiming victory in the class. Meanwhile although Racing Multihulls saw the two boats in close confines at one point, it was Niña who finished first to win the top podium prize over her rival Charro. Hopefully the lingering will pay off in the long run!
Despite an hour of doldrum sailing, the day saw a window of good conditions with flat conditions returning once crew were back on shore.
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Minx |
Kevin Gillow / Mick Kealy |
1 |
| Windstar |
Peter Wood |
2 |
| Babe |
Mark Mizner |
3 |
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Mathong |
Bruno Marti |
1 |
| The Four Winds |
John Fenn |
2 |
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Niña |
Bob Mott /
Grenville Fordham |
1 |
| Charro |
Mark Horwood |
2 |
Thanks to Scott Duncanson for setting the course, one which could have been easily shortened had conditions not improved and to Kathy de Cruz for getting the fleet around once again. Cheers to the ACYC crew for their hospitality and for keeping the drinks and buffet flowing and a hearty hands together for the self-proclaimed ACYC's oldest and newest member, Phil Vidal for MCing and partaking in the pre and post fun.
The full results for the day can be viewed here. Overall results for the series and the performance handicap can be viewed at http://acyc.asiaaustraliatech.com
Photos of this race can be viewed here. Click here for the ACYC Photo Gallery.
For more information on racing and the club, visit www.acyc-phuket.com.
See you out on the water!
Text & photos by Leslie Hand
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