Slow boats around Gulf Harbour
Published 23:42 on 4 Jul 2021
They say a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, but today, for Race 4 of the GHYC - WBC Combined Winter Series I think 28 skippers would beg to differ - it took a lot of skill, patience and a perhaps every now and then a little stroke of luck. At times the water glassed off & other times the wake of passing launches stole the little pressure in the sails and left the crews challenged by the fickle remaining breeze. Mark roundings were somewhat chaotic, with slow manoeuvres appearing to form rafts from a distance as boats converged and gently passed each other by.
Kick had an outstanding day, managing to lap several of the boats in the White Division on their final upwind leg, & taking home the double for Line Honours and 1st Place after Handicap is applied. Some of the Fleet were left becalmed as the afternoon drew to a close with a dying breeze, resulting in a few retirees from this race. For those looking for any sign of breeze as they rounded the top mark, they might have been lucky enough to see a little Seal frolicking in the launches wavelets, and then treated to another gentle waft coming across the water. Thanks to RO Richard Brown for getting a race off in the light airs & to his team for making the adjustments during the race course to best suit the majority, in these tricky conditions.
White Fleet - 17 starters, 14 finishers
3rd - Big Kahoona, 2nd - Rogue, 1st - Kick
3rd Mixed Emotions, 2nd Steelers Wheel, 1st Patiko
Last updated 09:19 on 20 February 2024
