What was thought to be a “force 2 boil in the sun” day, turned out to be a fantastic day of racing for our first race of the season. Winds were 10 to 12 knots from the West with the course being a large triangle to Tai Koo Shing, big sausage and small triangle. We had a healthy 10 boats on the water considering a number of the regulars were not able to race with the ABC Regatta as a competing venue.
We all had a clean start. Martin’s was the cleanest preferring to start with the Etchells. Once on our way,we all beat up the middle of the harbor in the outgoing tide with most boats generally favoring one side of center. Howard and Louie were neck and neck at the top mark with Jun close behind. Then came the Remi driving the Pessimistmobile along with Clive in his triumphant return to the fragrant harbor. Great to have you back! Martin and Joe followed, and then came the Professors trailed by, Higuchi and company.
On the run down the most striking thing was the speed at which the spinnaker were set - much faster following Howard’s friday night training session. While Howard and Louie battled it out side by side, Jun snuck by the outside and turned the corner in the lead.
From this point on there were a number of close duels were fought with the leads in flux. Louie and Jack fought Howard and Dennis in a brother against brother match. The Professors exchanged places with Martin and Joe with the Pessimistmobile a constant threat. Brett and Prem was hot on the heels of the Pessimistmobile. Further back Ishi and Bill, Higuchi, and Suzanne and Karen all exchanged places through the race.
In the end, the smart side of the course was where Jun was racing, which is a word to the wise for this weekend’s Autumn Regatta. Louie and Jack beat Howard and Dennis (Jack’s bigger little brother). Slopes lee-bowed Martin right before the finish and looked back with an evil grin. But it was Martin who had the last laugh by tacking to the favored side committee boat prevailing in a photo finish. Then came the dilapidated Pessimistmobile adorned in new sails - new wine in old wine skins. Brett and Prem stormed across the line. Next came three boats all in a very close battle with Pathfinder coming out on top capitalizing on a last second wind shift. Then came the My Fair Ladies Higuchi and Wantanabe, with Suzanne and Karen immediately behind.
It was a great start to the new season. Everybody was very competitive with some fun duels along the way. This weekend is the Autumn Regatta (Outta Regatta as it is sometimes called). Let’s have a great weekend of racing.