Blogs

Spring Series Special Courses



Special courses were held last Saturday for Divisions 1-3 to provide a variation to the usual racing. Division 1 & 3 sailed north of the bridge and Division 2 to the west around Cockatoo, Snapper and Spectacle Islands.

Mark Kirby writes, 'Saturday's weather settled in to be overcast, cool and with the forecast of 20 knots looking unlikely, we chose the #1 and full main.

Starting off Kirribilli, we rounded the Kirribilli mark last, with the opportunity to learn from the boats ahead. We duly took note and hoisted the biggest kite onboard. From the mark we trailed the fleet in a long shy reach through the washing machine of the bridge and the Goat Island channel, with peaks and troughs in the water as well as in the breeze.

With some luck and skill by the kite-man we worked our way up the fleet to be in the mix by Long Nose point; Alouette loves a mild breeze. Then a long square run to Snapper and a reach to Spectacle Island. This leg was exciting. We passed the fleet champions and were a boat length from the new contender (One More No More) before we dropped the kite and hardened up for the work to Cockatoo. Sadly, we lost concentration and let the fleet through, but stayed in close enough to claim 1st place on handicap.

An enjoyable day out on a course that's a bit different to the rest of the year's racing. My thanks to everyone on the crew, the volunteers who make the day possible, the competitors in the series who keep it interesting, and to Judy Waring for keeping the Alouette crew going.'

See the results