2009 Sailing News
Page updated
28 March, 2010
ACYC Club Sailing
Race 5A May 31 2009
Light winds and shifting tides called the course of direction and events in Race 5A on Course 4 of the Ray Marine ACYC 2009 Race Series.
Although tempermental and fickle conditions tested the stamina and tactical skills of the six diehard ACYC racers in this unscheduled season's race, Sunday's trek proved to be an enjoyable and scenic one - for some - around the islands. Feline aerobatics with a failure to land on the feet, breakages, puckers towards an unsuspecting Prince Charming and other romantic interludes with floating and sunken objects and other items straying in the path and wrath of participants, were noticeably absent.
The combined start held some interesting and tense moments with the fleet positioning themselves in the pre-start sequence. Arguably a keen rambo, exhuberant in the light winds, appeared to be jumping the gun. What to do? Do we stay or do we go? A difficult call for race official Tony, preoccupied with flags and timing on the more conservative Windstar, to make. Meanwhile, in a cunning move and with enough water to clear, Spinnaker work on Charro
the lone Firefly, Moto Inzi, had some clear moves
of her own. Budding in to the line, the feral feline sandwiched herself between the channel marker and Minx to sail off and take the early lead in the race.
Windshifts and wills of the mind encouraged twists and turns in what seemed an uphill and fruitless battle. The apparent wind was to remain forward until the south end of Ko Lone was reached and a change in the position of sail relished as boats set off on another leg, this time with spinnaker up.
Two choices on where the best wind would be were deduced early - either a hug-to-the-islands searching for the offshore wind or a deeper sail into the bay to look for the sea breeze.
The first option was a hit or miss for the two boats that took it up. For Moto Inzi, who stalled early on in the game, it was the better choice, pushing her to line honours and a first in the Multihull class. And did the other boat which opted for a similiar wave of thought actually savour oysters at the Evason? Minx, with her cast of regular pundits of Mick, Kevin and Rob and guest captain Ian Coulsen, were seen engrossed in ongoing tacitcal debates while on the water and postrace nuzzled up to the new bar. The flirtatious girl placed third in Racing much to the sheer delight of Roger Diggelmann who took second spot on the podium. No yodels but lots of smiles! Perhaps it was Bob Mott who should take the bow for the sail as he helmed the boat. Our local calm and collected catamaran preacher who has not driven a monohull in 25 years just may be expounding the merits and virtues of a one hull design now!
The most travelled road taken proved the better option for most. In a close battle vying for positions, it was Nerieda who got off the line first and took an early lead over Windstar yet it was the S&S who overtook and won top place over the Duncanson. Was it cunningness or coolness that pulled the win through? Meanwhile, Fidji, in her first race of the season, sailed to the beat of her own drum. Although she came off the line last, she had the race sewn up with a simple finish. Hmm... One must surmise that being the only member of a class does have its advantages!
Sailboat racing does have its unfortunate drawbacks, which come not in the shape and size of a breakage but in patience. A harrowing sail, which first named and then revisited The Not-So-Remote Beach due to the faltering winds and changing tides, was enough for Charro to retire. On the bright spot, with spirits undampened and fortunately still plentiful, she headed home with spinnaker up, continuing on the regime of a healthy consumption of amber liquids!
A great day and as always, good to be out sailing!
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Windstar |
Peter Wood |
1 |
| Nereida |
Roger Diggelmann |
2 |
| Minx |
Mick Kealy |
3 |
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Fidgi |
Nigel Beare |
1 |
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Moto Inzi |
Roger Kingdon |
1 |
Cheers and wine to Roger Diggelmann for sponsoring the day and to series sponsor Ray Marine. Hands together for the ACYC crew who put together yet another marvelous BBQ and served the cherished postrace nectars from the new bar - Ao Chalong's newest, trendy and happening place in town to put elbows on top and discuss racing tactics, and... other things as well.
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.
The next race, Race 6, is Sunday June 14. See you out on the water!!
Text & photos by Leslie Hand
