2009 Sailing News
Page updated
28 March, 2010
ACYC Club Sailing
Race 5 May 17 2009
A sea of glass occasionally rippled by an oscillating wind characterised the conditions for Race 5 of the Ray Marine ACYC 2009 Race Series sponsored by Mr Moo!
Despite the mild conditions, some enlightening moments occurred over the course testing sailing skills, knowledge of the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing with huffing, puffing and bluffing being the order of the day. With the light winds, some interesting banter and language drifted
across the water to the ears of Race Officer Kathy preparting for start
others! Maybe some confidences
were overheard as relaxed crew discussed the answers to life, the universe and all that! A new boat to the ACYC racing scene, a new sponsor, a new race official and familiar tried and true MCs with a new cast of female prize givers, all added to make the day an exciting one. Paradise Lost? The only ingredient missing was the Multihull class.
A combined start for all classes under Race Officer, Kathy de Cruz’s supervision saw the Fireflys hogging the line at the one minute gun at the unfavoured committee boat end with Moto Inzi below and downwind of The Frog, chasing two S&Ss down the line who had to gybe round to get back into position for the start as the Fireflys moving faster but also early and separated by just a few inches dumped sails. Moto Inzi, ever the gentleman, did not attempt to push The Frog over and barely cleared the looming pin-end dolphin. The Frog tacking away to get clear air sailed out to the starboard lay line to come back on starboard to meet up with Moto Inzi on port. Despite deciding to duck The Frog, the laws of physics ruled as with main sheet strapped in, Moto Inzi unable to bear off sufficiently kissed The Frog’s rear end.
Meanwhile back at the start, all boats eventually found their slots with Racing class being led over the line by Nereida. However, despite her clean start, the sea nymph lost out to her sleek classmates whose own design of sailing saw various and interesting manoeuvres. Windstar held a steady route, coming through to win top prize. True to her wiley and sneaky nature, the foxy Emerald Blue had her fits and bursts to take line honours and second place whereas Remington savoured a leisurely race in the non-rigourous conditions.
Cruising Class saw a no-contest and scattered trek with now-regular star Awatea sailing to win. Simone with her primarily all-star girl crew and end of the day prize-givers sailed to a comfortable second with Chetak placing third.
Some close encounters occurred at the leeward mark off the mosque with the fleet coming together as the wind dropped out. Despite some bogus calls, most boats found their way around the mark without incident or mishap. Emerald Blue however introduced herself to newcomer, La Zingara, with the latter getting ahead to narrowly miss the mark which Emerald Blue then collected. No damage incurred! Taking her 360, she dropped back a place or two but soon regained the lost places. Some adventure before her next race in three months time!
Back to the Fireflys! ACYC Secretary, gentleman and gentle man, skipper of Princess Charming, Moto PrInzi, Roger Kingdon having retired after kissing The Frog recalls:
"A quick call to the Chris Jongerius, owner of The Frog, to apologise resulted in a bit of good natured banter with the answer, "We will sort it out over a beer afterwards." " We agreed to continue sailing and at least make the best of the day and have a match race together.”
The Firefly match race continued with both boats rounding Koh Bon together, but even with Moto Inzi’s owner trying his hand at trimming the spinnaker, and a newly found hotshot crew on the helm, the Frog with her superior deep down wind spinnaker pulled away further and further to finish the race in front by about a healthy 100 metres."
A good sail with lively post-race conversation at the club afterwards. More turn of events in ACYC racing to come!
(Postcript: Thanks to Roger Kingdon for his input on the Firefly racing. Leslie)
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Windstar |
Peter Wood |
1 |
| Emerald Blue |
Nick Band |
2 |
| Remington |
Jim Ellis |
3 |
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Awatea |
Andrew de Bruin |
1 |
| Simone |
Roger Harris |
2 |
| Chetak |
Jim Kane |
3 |
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| The Frog |
Chris Jongerius |
1 |
Many thanks to first time sponsor Mr Moo! for supporting the day and to series sponsor Ray Marine for the hats (one for each boat) and to the ACYC crew for their hospitality, BBQ, cold beers and more. A special applause goes to Kathy de Cruz for her stellar performance as a race official and getting the fleet off the start and back. Congratulations to Kathy for the great job in officating on her own. Also, cheers and beers to race official and MC Tony Knight and long-time ACYC members Brian Ritchie and Jim Ellis - the ACYC Punchline Comedy Club. Yee Ha!
The full results for the day and the performance handicap can be viewed here: http://acyc.asiaaustraliatech.com
Photos of this race can be viewed here. Click here for the ACYC Photo Gallery.
Note: There will be an unscheduled race Sunday May 31. Thanks to Tony for this initiative and the show of hands in support for it on Sunday. For
more information, call Tony on 08 1747 0074 and visit www.acyc-phuket.com.
See you out on the water!!
Text & photos by Leslie Hand
