Saturday turned out to be more than advertised in an action packed race sailed on a beautiful clear and sunny afternoon in the harbor. The winds were strong with gusts of 20 knots that moderated through the afternoon. In spite of these less than tame conditions, the final race brought a few of the more timid crew to the drivers seat making the racing more interesting.
Thirteen boats were on the line with seven official entries. Because of the nice winds, a long course of three sausages was chosen in an outgoing tide. There was a clean, competitive start with Ciara coming on strong looking like a seasoned professional if I don’t say so myself. First came the long beat to the top mark. All boats went to North Point except Ciara who learned a lesson I have had to re-learn over and over..stay with the fleet. It was a quick ride down in a long procession. And, at this point, it was clear to see that Bill was going to have his hands full as he trailed the Professor by several boats. The able professor had recruited hired gun, Howard, as his crew.
It was also on this leg where Lucy, who was deftly weaving her way aimlessly down the course, experienced a rather unusual event. While Carlyon was stumbling with the pole, a Pandora “suddenly appeared from nowhere”..basically out of thin air. These kinds of ghost ship sightings are not common. But in this case, as the boom clanged along the Pandora’s side, the boat proved to more than a phantom.
Once around Dock Buoy, it was another long series of tacks to get back to TaiKooShing. It was here where several of the new helms were astonished to hear how important the position of the head is when going up wind. The crews were constantly giving them instructions.. Head up.. Head down now.. Come down more, that’s it, now head up. In the post race discussions they concluded that these peculiar instructions did no good what so ever.
In the end it was Professor P, with his hired gun, crossing the line first. David Chow sailing unofficially came second, and in a gentlemanly way slowed his horses down to give David P the honor of his deserved gun for the race and the series. Next was Jun sailing unofficially as a helm who was then followed by American Wild Bill, sailing with his trusted crew, Ishi. He took the official second for the race and second overall. Lucy, still stunned by the Pandora apparition, was officially third for the race in her first-time helm this year. She was followed by several unofficial entries - Suzanne, Higuchi and Tom Sheppard. Tom, a former long time 15 sailor, was back out on the water after several wasted years sailing with the etchells. Marianna, the sweet Italian Coed, was officially fourth, sailing with Martin. Despite this handicap she finished third overall in the series. Ever gracious, a few ne’r-do-wells in the fleet tried to coax the truth out of her about Martin’s crewing capabilities. At every turn she had nothing but accolades. It all seemed a bit too rehearsed leading us to believe that she or her third place award were under threat. Charles, sailing with Remi, came officially and respectfully fifth despite being completely handicapped by the broken down old Pessimistmobile. Damien and Lil in “ye olde club boat” were unofficially next followed by Jack with Waicheun. He praised Jack by saying he so good that he’ll be helming from now on. Last, but not least, was Ciara, still perplexed by the head up and head down instructions.
This weekend is the Spring Regatta. The week following is the Ladies Helm, and rumors are that there will be a big turn out. This year, we understand, that there will be a best dressed helm competition. So Ladies go for it!
Incidentally Mexican last Saturday night was great complete with Mexican sombrero’s. Get ready for the Prize-giving and AGM June 6th.