ACYC Club Sailing
Race Report 16 - Sunday November 22
12 knots of wind set the pace for the 10 boats sailing in Race 16, the final race in the Raymarine ACYC race series. A chance to participate in the race and tally up the points for top placement towards class and series winners plus the opportunity to practice for the upcoming King's Cup Regatta saw a healthy turnout in the exhilarating conditions in a course set by Rob Taylor. The race welcomed the new and the tried and true.
And what happened? A long well-placed start line that offered a starboard crossing up to the first mark in the day's windward/leewards saw boats apparently sleeping with The Frog eventually gearing up speed to cross the line first over the other nine entrants. Others soon woke up to the fact that the race was on (Oh yeah! Better get the jib up!) and slowly made their ways across with Charro bringing up the rear. Although fingers were later pointed at the start boat, slow beginnings held through with late spinnaker hoists by many and glitches in the shape of wine glasses to be witnessed. A day of play and yet of fun with the chewing of the fat back at the club afterwards!
SEA me play!
Racing witnessed its well-known battle between the S&S's. The smaller Windstar under a reefed main secured the start over Emerald Blue and held the lead up to the Baan Nit Mark. Shouts of glee once again graced the foredeck of Windstar with Boo performing his now traditional tribal dance. Emerald Blue, sailing without its mizzen up, acquired the lead after the mark. Last race day jitters and sea trials of a new foresail and an old spinnaker in addition to some tactical mistakes still earned Emerald Blue the prestige of being first across the line in her class, but it was Windstar which earned top placement for the day. Thumbs up to the third boat in the class, Smoke, for her first race in the ACYC series and for receiving a special award for getting out there.
Cruising saw Chetak sail an effortless race to victory being the only class member. Much to their regret, well-seasoned boat Awatea and crew, although with all good intentions, was unable to make it and finish this year's ACYC sailing season.
The six-member Multihull class with its regular and not so regular troops also sailed the sausage course that involved the three favoured in-the-bay marks - the Baan Nit Mark, the Starboard Channel Mark and the mosque buoy.. Despite The Frog's near mess up of the course (Uhh? Ooh, that's the mark to round?), and her own brand of wine glass served daintily by her spinnaker, she otherwise sailed a clean course and placed first with Moto Inzi following to a close second. SEA Properties, sailing only in the first and last races of the season, finished third. A clear victory after her pitch pole mishap in the first March race! Conservatism and breakages ruled the rest of the Multihull fleet with Twin Sharks (Yep! Jib's up but no spinnaker) placing fourth. Happy Feet graced the scene preparing to go forth and conquer and amongst other refits and was with a spinnaker and a repaired foil after her rushed morning launch. Unfortunately just seconds after the spinnaker hoist, a broken bow sprit 'foiled' her ambitions. Not a happy feat may we dare say! A lot of spray that day but disappointment given the anticipated action. Hats off to Bao, captain of Seraph, who skippered Charro. A no mean feat from the classic girl to the modern cat!
Excitement, tension and conservatism under superb racing conditions in a race that lasted just over an hour and half that left most asking when's the second race starting. Well, there's next year!
The series winners will be awarded Friday evening at the ACYC prize giving and party. Some of the results for classes immediately say all while there's contention with countbacks necessary to decide the final victor. Meanwhile, we'll keep you in suspense. See you at the club for the final presentations!
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Windstar |
Peter Wood |
1 |
| Emerald Blue |
Nick Band |
2 |
| Smoke |
Mark Mizner |
3 |
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| Chetak |
Jim Kane |
1 |
| Boat |
Name |
Place |
| The Frog |
Chris Jongerius |
1 |
| Moto Inzi |
Roger Kingdon |
2 |
| SEA Properties |
D. Ford |
3 |
Thanks to the ACYC crew for putting on a tremendous post-race buffet and for providing the cherished cold beers. Cheers to Start Boat Onyx and to Kathy de Cruz and Chandran for getting the fleet around the bay course and to Matt McGrath for presenting the awards.
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.
See you next year for the 2010 ACYC race series. For more information, visit
www.acyc-phuket.com.
See you out on the water!!
Text & photos by Leslie Hand
