For the last race of the West Harbour Winter Series a full complement of crew turned up to try to win the series. With a competent race we finished sixth on handicap and maintained our position one point behind X-Ray. Our place was equal to our previous worst place and X-Ray dropped their eleventh place but we were both beaten by Luna Sea who had an average place awarded for the previous race and with that came to the fore.
At the finish of shortened course race there was just 60 seconds between third and our sixth on handicap so where did we lose a minute.
Perhaps the first place was the spinnaker reach back along the Hunters Hill shore was worth 30 seconds where I was reluctant to set the big spinnaker until the reach broadened. Those who struggled with the kites early were able to sneak away as soon as the wind freed up while we still had to set the spinnaker.
The next place where we lost a little was the beat back up the Hunters Hill shore when we did not pinch above Gwhizz but went below looking for a knock. A knock was not to be found and instead Macscap lifted above us from behind while GWhizz skipped away.
So the result was more about choices rather than performance. The tracks show how the outgoing tide influenced the tacking angles especially in the gap between Cockatoo Island and the Hunters Hill shore where the wind is light and the tide strong.
Tough going against the tide
I have enjoyed the Winter Series but it is now time to get our the Laser and start to build some small boat condition ahead of the Summer season.