Tonight Gosford Laser sailors made up four of six the sailors on board. The welcome addition of two extra seasoned sailors made up for the otherwise occupied regular crew and to show our appreciation we managed a second fastest time.
Genoa selection was vital for a good result. The wind was gusting to 20 knots pre race and was expected to lighten in the evening. With the unfamiliar crew we opted for the roller furling No2 Genoa and were rewarded with a good run to Spectacle Island to lead the fleet at the turn. On the reach to Snapper Island the new Dehler 38 showed that power and waterline length are king in strong reaching conditions and by Snapper she had the inside overlap. To windward working to Goat Island we held the rest of the fleet at bay but had to watch as the Dehler 38 drew further ahead. With the incoming tide there were no fancy tracks to windward.
No fancy tracks tonight
On the reach back from Goat in lighter conditions we had to watch Agrovation with their larger No 1 genoa approach our stern. With a bit of luck a ferry intervened and Agrovation took the route into the lee of Greenwich while we went wider and had more wind. The final tacks into Humbug were difficult as three fleets merged in the narrow water ways in shifty conditions. We tacked away to avoid one round up below and took the starboard tacking Out of Africa’s stern only to have to tack immediately to Starboard to avoid the next line of Starboard tackers. From here we had to pinch to stay above Out of Africa and keep ahead of Agrovation.
Handicap placings were close and we managed a fourth place