Week three of racing saw more strong westerly winds continue to give exciting racing, great photo shoots and plenty of opportunity for uncontrollable mishaps as with the previous weeks. This week provided some new and innovative ways to get a mention by 'Water Rat'.
Andy Sargent's Mayfly - doing a spot of spear fishing
Top of the list is our Sponsor of last weeks race on the water representative. Mr Pinnochio, aboard his Puppeteer had been learning from the previous weeks text book Chinese Gybes mainly from other class members.
So this week he decided to put his crew, which comprise four of the prettiest dames (which I believe are not on the transfer list) through the paces of the Chinese Gybe 'text book' style. The first attempt went well, the boat lay over after the boom crashed over, the skipper calmly asked the crew to ease the spinny sheet and as the boat returned to its course reassured the crew that thats all there is to a chinese gybe. Reluctantly they believed the chap.
A short while later, there was a mighty gust, the boat took that uncontrollable wobble and woop-a-daisy here we go again. But this time, three crew were tossed overboard. The true Yacht Master then remained calm, left the main and spinny sheets in the jammer and coaxed two to swim back and were helped aboard. One fledgling however, decided enough was enough and hitched a ride from the next passing pup, Flycatcher who was only too keen to oblige! The wet
t-shirt competition goes to these three classy dames.
There was close sailing in the majority of fleets and none closer than that in the Etchell Class. Dont Dilly Dally was spotted by the PRO and was signalled OCS.
The Flood/ McCann partnership duly returned and fought back to take second place just before the finish but were pipped into 3rd by Simon Knowles in Jabbawockey by a mere 1 second.
The pier finish this week was a spectacular sight for the observers with a beat to Free-Enterprise against a roaring ebb tide. Many places were won and lost by tacking in out of the tide at the Thulla Mark and approaching the finish on Starboard. Equinnox was noted as doing just that putting the opposition about nicely and then peeling onto Port to the line.
Taking a different approach, a well known Hyc sailor of Folkboat and Impala fame approached the Free Enterprise on
Port and was being pushed down-tide and to leeward. With inches to spare, this boat edged past the hull of the Free-Enterprise and missed the anchor rope by millimeters (if at all?!).
Given the call, (we have loads of room!) the Skipper aboard this Harmonious Vessel only just made it and was somewhat relieved to have survived the encounter.
Overall, a good day was had by all and may next week be as equally exciting!!
