6th May 2008
by Peter Campbell
The Squadron’s Winter Series got under way last Saturday on a warm and sunny late autumn day, almost perfect except for the light and variable winds.
Nevertheless, only a couple of boats failed to complete the course, and most skippers and crews were back ashore by mid afternoon.
The Winter Racing on a Saturday afternoon is a wonderful way to enjoy the Harbour, with keen competition in three mixed divisions – two with spinnaker and one non-spinnaker. Without the hassles of big fleets from many clubs, it’s a relaxing way of racing.
In the light breeze, it was the crews who kept a sharp outlook for the funnels of wind that did best.
Division 1 saw some spirited competition for the gun between Anthony Coleman’s Euphoria and Ray Harris’ Honeysuckle, with Euphoria crossing first by less than a minute.
Handicap honours went to the fourth boat to finish, Jonathan and Mary Threlfall’s Jeanneau 36 Campeador, with Honeysuckle second and Euphoria third on corrected time.
Division 2 saw Yngling champion Hamish Jarrett show his skill at the helm of Catnapa, a Catalina 34, in taking line and handicap honours from former Commodore Norman Longworth, steering Aurelia II, third place going to Kerstin II, steered by Ken Chase.
Another Yngling skipper, Chris Harper, showed his one-design skills in helming the Hanse 400E Crackerjack to victory in the Non-Spinnaker Division, with some good tactical input from co-owners Dennis Galvin and David Ward.
Crackerjack picked the best wind patterns to finish well ahead at the finish, enough to win on handicap as well.
The Sailing Office hopes the Non-Spinnaker Division will attract more entries for this relaxing, but still competitive way of Harbour racing.
Winter 2007 fleet
Close Window »
|
