A tale of 2 races
Panacea is hitting her stride 3 races into the Saturday Short series. The past 2 races couldn't of being more different. Racing on the 20th dogs were blown off chains and seen flying past. This Saturday a gentle 6-10 knots of easterly breeze.
20th October
With winds gusting over 20knots it was going to be a tough race. 1 reef in the main and half the head sail out. Great day to introduce Shannon to the pleasantries of sail racing.
With the breeze howling communicating meant shouting just to be heard. We crossed the start in the wrong division and put it down to a practice start. Restarting in the proper division we ploughed through the upwind leg. It was tough on Chris operating the main, it was tough on Liam and Ken and Tracey battling the headsail through the tacks. It was tough just sitting on the rail getting wet and Kate without wet weather pants. Shannon sat with the helm just to take it all in and wonder what the hell was going on. It was hard and there wasn't any time to see what the opposition were up to.
On the last upwind leg a bunch of dolphins put on a display. We have our heads down working hard and these guys are playing.
Other boats put on pretty good displays of rounding up and shredding spinnakers. Our only close call came when we ducked a 50 footer who had lost all but the head of their spinnaker. The problem was the spinnaker halyard with the spinnaker head attached was streaming 3 boat lengths behind them. As Panacea went to harden up around their stern, we spotted the streaming halyard and had a quick course change to avoid the halyard wrapping around our mast.
With wet bums and aching muscles Panacea crossed the line 2nd with 3rd on handicap. Once relaxed we eased out the sails and headed back to Rushcutters Bay at about 8knots. Big Smiles and a beer and we wondered what the fuss was all about. Racing in conditions like that make the crew camaraderie stronger. Panacea and crew handled it well we didn't round up and we didn't hit anything and nothing hit us.
3rd November race and I was worried if all the crew were going to show after the last race slog. Everyone showed, everyone said how great the last had been. So this race was a tale of taking it easy.
We nailed the start just sitting off a Beneteau's stern and as we crossed the line we were able to climb over them. Halfway across the harbour on the first leg we're in front by a few boat lengths. Keeping an eye on the new Hanse we headed for the first mark off Cannae Pt . Round we went and headed for the Eastern channel mark.
A mild panic when discovering we might be in front for the whole race. Do we know where we are going? Sort of, we seemed to pass round all the right marks. Shannon and Kate getting some lessons on headsail trim. The race ended up being a shortened course with a two sail reach between Cannae Pt (near Store Beach) Eastern Channel and Chowder Bay. No tacking except rounding marks. But plenty of opportunity to learn sail trim as the wind shifted round headlands and bays.
Round we go at the Cannae mark and around the course one more time. Bit funny the committe boat being at the Cannae mark. A bit funny that some boats in our division are dropping headsails and heading for home. Hmm, probably a bit antsy that Panacea is leading them on a merry dance.
We cross the finish line and head for home with Shannon having a go at steering the boat. Beers out and we are all feeling pretty good. Chris checks the results on his phone (funny how Middle Harbour Club can have the results posted on the web site within a half hour of finishing but the CYCA takes 2hours) and we are first over the line by 12 minutes and 3rd on handicap.
However we did sail one more lap then we needed to! This of course was deliberate, a strategy to give the crew more race practice.
The next race our plan is to win and know our way round the course.
20th October
With winds gusting over 20knots it was going to be a tough race. 1 reef in the main and half the head sail out. Great day to introduce Shannon to the pleasantries of sail racing.
With the breeze howling communicating meant shouting just to be heard. We crossed the start in the wrong division and put it down to a practice start. Restarting in the proper division we ploughed through the upwind leg. It was tough on Chris operating the main, it was tough on Liam and Ken and Tracey battling the headsail through the tacks. It was tough just sitting on the rail getting wet and Kate without wet weather pants. Shannon sat with the helm just to take it all in and wonder what the hell was going on. It was hard and there wasn't any time to see what the opposition were up to.
On the last upwind leg a bunch of dolphins put on a display. We have our heads down working hard and these guys are playing.
Other boats put on pretty good displays of rounding up and shredding spinnakers. Our only close call came when we ducked a 50 footer who had lost all but the head of their spinnaker. The problem was the spinnaker halyard with the spinnaker head attached was streaming 3 boat lengths behind them. As Panacea went to harden up around their stern, we spotted the streaming halyard and had a quick course change to avoid the halyard wrapping around our mast.
With wet bums and aching muscles Panacea crossed the line 2nd with 3rd on handicap. Once relaxed we eased out the sails and headed back to Rushcutters Bay at about 8knots. Big Smiles and a beer and we wondered what the fuss was all about. Racing in conditions like that make the crew camaraderie stronger. Panacea and crew handled it well we didn't round up and we didn't hit anything and nothing hit us.
3rd November race and I was worried if all the crew were going to show after the last race slog. Everyone showed, everyone said how great the last had been. So this race was a tale of taking it easy.
We nailed the start just sitting off a Beneteau's stern and as we crossed the line we were able to climb over them. Halfway across the harbour on the first leg we're in front by a few boat lengths. Keeping an eye on the new Hanse we headed for the first mark off Cannae Pt . Round we went and headed for the Eastern channel mark.
A mild panic when discovering we might be in front for the whole race. Do we know where we are going? Sort of, we seemed to pass round all the right marks. Shannon and Kate getting some lessons on headsail trim. The race ended up being a shortened course with a two sail reach between Cannae Pt (near Store Beach) Eastern Channel and Chowder Bay. No tacking except rounding marks. But plenty of opportunity to learn sail trim as the wind shifted round headlands and bays.
Round we go at the Cannae mark and around the course one more time. Bit funny the committe boat being at the Cannae mark. A bit funny that some boats in our division are dropping headsails and heading for home. Hmm, probably a bit antsy that Panacea is leading them on a merry dance.
We cross the finish line and head for home with Shannon having a go at steering the boat. Beers out and we are all feeling pretty good. Chris checks the results on his phone (funny how Middle Harbour Club can have the results posted on the web site within a half hour of finishing but the CYCA takes 2hours) and we are first over the line by 12 minutes and 3rd on handicap.
However we did sail one more lap then we needed to! This of course was deliberate, a strategy to give the crew more race practice.
The next race our plan is to win and know our way round the course.
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