Again the sailing has been abandoned and this time with a forecast mild 19 knots. The race committee no doubt took account of the heavy rain this morning and the prevailing 10 degrees air temperature. For now still over two hours before the start the rain has abated and the sun is shining. At least it is shining in my back yard. The rain radar shows more rain on the way up from the south so there will likely be more showers. The real danger at the time of the abandon call was probably the 10 degree Celsius temperature with a chill factor of possibly five degrees on top of that for a “feel like” five degrees.
Now I had contemplated setting up the spray dodger where some of the crew could shelter from the wind and rain but that would not be fair on the rest and the danger of being wet and cold was a very real one.
So again I am left with withdrawal symptoms and perhaps I will call in tomorrow on the radio control Lasers just for a little fix.
Last Sunday’s West Harbour Winter Series result for Passion X was quite miserable as we were last fastest despite a very good start. There was on the course very little breeze and we regularly sailed into nothing and sat there while the fleets (yes plural) starting in 5 minute sequences behind ran down on top. With so many yachts crowded into such a little space it is a credit to the tolerance of the crews that there was no carnage and little real shouting. That the divisions two and three back could cut the corners meant that we were continually passing and then meeting them again on the next leg added to the congestion. What was telling was the acceleration of the light yachts with asymmetric spinnakers on long poles as when the wind was from the right direction they took off. We did OK when the breeze picked up from our right angle and I mean picked up to 5 knots but mostly we sat becalmed with all the divisions enjoying what bit of sun there was on the day.
Sydney Harbour webcam just before scheduled start time for the abandoned race