RBYC Racing News 18th March 2008

Course 4 (S-2-3-5-6-2-6-5-F) was the starter's selection, and this was not unexpected.

There were 12 boats out there for the Pursuit Start, ranging from Sun Kiss off 16 minutes to Gusto off 45. Brian (from Gusto) was still getting sails up when Adam's Rib (off 33) got away from the line.

Most boats went out to sea, but Adam's Rib elected to sail along the shore (as did Avanti) and was first around the first mark, having picked up a significant westerly shift.

Around number 5 the first time it was still Adam's Rib, with Avanti close behind. The other boats were bunched together, apart from Gusto, who was starting to come though the fleet

The wind had built to around 12 knots at this stage, and 14 knots at the finish. Those with their lighter, bigger sails up were right on the limit.

On the beat to number 2 for the second time Adam's Rib went out to sea, Avanti went along the shore, and Gusto went sort of up the middle. Adam's Rib was first around, closely followed by Avanti,, with Gusto third. On the run back to number 5 Adam's Rib took the direct line, Avanti went for the inside track and gybed twice to make the mark, while Gusto went out to sea. At the mark Adam's Rib was only seconds ahead of Avanti, with Gusto 30 seconds further back.

The wind had shifted west, so boats were able to lay the finish line. On the beat to the finish Adam's Rib worked hard at keeping Avanti behind, while Gusto stormed up the inside to win by 25 seconds, with Adam's Rib second, 13 seconds ahead of Avanti.

At the finish there were less than 1 minute covered the first 3 boats. 5 minutes covered the rest of the fleet, but after a gap of 5 minutes from the leading group. The results show 3 groups of 3 boats fighting it out within their group, and within each sub-group a mistake would have cost a place.

The best start was Hot Shot, a whole 6 second after his start time!!

See you all out there next week, for a Fleet Start.
John Spencer

Invitation to the Launch Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta 2008 For more information click here

                                        Date: Tuesday 1 April 2008

Results

GE Duncans race to Mornington Saturday 15th March - B6505 Reckless - Rory Thomas

B Class Trophy race to Mornington and return Saturday 15th March - B26 Reverie - Alan Woodward

for full results of the GE Duncans race and B Class Trophy click here

For Etchell, Jubilee and Dragon results click here

Future Racing

No Racing on this Weekend

Wednesday 26th March

    - Hearnes Heroe's Summer Series R10

    - Extra Twilight Race: Please note earlier starting time of 6pm this is due to earlier Sunset times

Saturday 29th March

    - Club Marine Range Race 6: Keeping Cancer at Bay @ SYC 1400hrs - Skippers with boats entered for this race can collect wrist bands from RBYC office

    - Etchells Easter Series R1&2 @ 1400hrs

    - Dragons - Cadets in Dragons @ 1200hrs

                      - Veterans in Dragons @ 1350hrs

    - Jubilees - Veterans in Jubilees @ 1355hrs

    - Combined division pursuit - Artemis Summer Aggregate R6 @ 1400hrs