This past Sundays Opening of Season, one couldn’t have asked for a better start to the day with sunny skies 20 degress, moderate ESE and an entertaining sea state. This year’s opening broke away from conventional by combining with the start of the sailing seasons 1st race FrostBite 1.
With 10 boats crowding the committee boat anchored off Hobie Pier, the usual bantering and chanting created a fantastic atmosphere on the water as Commodore Straton took the salute.
Things became serious once the Flags for start sequence for the seasons 1st race was displayed. A re-start was called due to the Race Officer losing a minute in the start sequence. The re-start saw Chinook with her new owner and old (finally getting some pointers), creating mayhem and forcing Nemesis to gybe away from the line.
The course – a beat to Bell buoy, broad reach to the wing mark and a reach to the start/finish at Hobie Pier – allowed the sailors to enjoy the various sailing options whilst at the same time shake out the stiffness in halyards and sheets, and flatten the crease’s in the sails
Nemesis rounded the Bell 1st with Jellybaby close behind followed by Chinook. Chinook lacked the navigational skills and couldn’t find the wing mark and settled to have a quick braai off their stern and thereby getting a DNF.
With over ¾ of the fleet completing and well on their way back to moorings, the wind as forecast freshened and a deteriorating sea-state, forced the Race Officer to up anchor and pull all markers resulting in Seaesta and Skybird getting a DNF.
A festive gathering on the Club Lawns by members, family and friends had quickly developed whilst enjoying the braai’s.
A big thanks to the Junior sailors for helping putting the buoys and tackle away. Thanks to Commercial Diving Contractors CDC for the use of their Rubber Duck.
A reminder that the Wednesday Nite sailing series begins this Wednesday. The 1st of the Nemesis Double Handed starts this Sunday. Be sure to stay close hauled to the ABYC web and Face Book site for NOR and other notices.
https://youtu.be/jyNZy3CxMcA