Great wind, blue sky, close racing

11th April Race report

Would there be any wind and would there be many boats ? The answer was yes, and 6 boats enjoyed a steady south westerly which allowed 4 races to be sailed.

1st race, a short line with heavy committee boat end bias saw the fleet off with Glasgow Kiss and Alidade getting the best of the start. With close tacking exchanges up the first beat ended with the right of way boat Hullabalo calling “starboard” which required domino tacking from the four port tackers close to the windward mark. A bit of a “hullabaloo” was the consequence. A flurry of activity on all boats saw the first asymmetric hoist of the day and the usual sweary words and encouragement to the crew at front, as wine glasses (OK when filled with red or white) and sticky kites separated the slick from the not so slick.

Hullabaloo managed to arrive at the leeward mark and extend her lead to a well deserved bullet followed by Alidade. Glasgow Kiss on a marginal whim of a possible misdemeanour earlier after a shout from a blue hulled rival decided to do a 360, in fit of fleeting guilt which lasted all of about 20 seconds but the damage was done.

The racing for the rest of the races went with form with Hullabaloo and Alidade slugging it to the finish line trading first and second with the with exception of interventions from Glasgow Kiss and Katana grabbing 2nd places in 2nd and the last race respectively. Good finishes from Pyxis and Tara in the 1st and last races was testament to closing racing over a short course. Hulabaloo retired for the last race.

On crossing the line at the final race thoughts changed to the bar and cool amber nectar to quench parched throats after a scorcher of a day. Alidade after two bullets in the last two races saw her grab 1st overall from Hullabaloo with Glasgow Kiss pipped by Katana to third by one point. Thanks to Prakash as race officer assisted by Roos skipper Dicken Addis which was appreciated.

Great wind, blue sky, close racing , although a tad hot but great competitive fun was the order of the day.

Cheers Wallace