With 17 starters on the water for our final race, a pursuit start, of the Classics 2013/2014 summer series, Zephyr under the helm of Anne Batson and crewed by Karen Batson and with the able assistance of Mark Chew took out line honours by 30 seconds from Col Anderson working his crew on Acrospire III seriously hard, trying to eat up those 30 seconds. . The tussle between boat speed versus Tumlare pointing ability was the decider for 2nd and 3rd placings. Avian helmed by Jennifer Cook and crewed by Charlie Salter was able to pick the breezes and regain the lead over Acrospire III on the final beat. But not to be, by a margin for 15 seconds Avian finished up with a 3rd placing.
Not often they occur but this race it did. A dead heat between Martini and Boambllee and another 14 second close finish between Sayonara and Mercedes III. Ettrick sailed into a safe 7th placing while Marie Louise III, Pastime II and Serifa had their on course moments of in the groove racing . A tight finish between Loama and Cyan was noticed by the handicapper. It should be noted that Cyan jumping the gun by 2 seconds and returning for a restart was not the best way to start the race. Loama’s performance was particularly noted by the handicapper when Marie Louise III could not pass her. As we know, if your going to show how well your boat can really sail don’t do it in front of the handicapper.
Sad tale came from Bungoona. All set for many kite runs but it all went pear shaped when the halyard shackle disintegrated. Still they gave Dingo a run but were done in by 20 seconds. Corio Vertue after her story was put into our recently published CYAA magazine was in hand to show she’s still up to racing. Also completing the course was Black Adder, again a day for her when conditions weren’t doing her any favours. You can never write off Corio Vertue and Black Adder. Not long ago Corio Vertue knocked of the fleet in a pursuit race and Black Adder took out our 2003 Winter Series.
One starter not mentioned in today’s results was Claire with Richard Macrae. This omission will be followed up with Royals racing.
The sail of the day has to go to Zephyr. Watching her consistent hoist and retrieval spinnaker work where seconds are easily lost was why she held off Acrospire III.
ETTRICK
2013/2014 Classic Yacht Association Summer Series
Locker 57 Trophy
Best Overall
For the best performer of all the 2013/2014 Summer Series the Locker 57 trophy goes to Ettrick helmed by Doug Jenkin with 27 points. Congratulations to Doug for the consistent performance and in particular his crew of Kath Solly and Diane Ling, Doug’s daughters. It should be noted that Ettrick’s best overall in the 2013/2014 Locker 57 Summer Series is a repeat of her best overall performance in the 2001/2002 Summer Series when helmed by Richard Downey and crewed by, Dave Kerr, recently deceased and a sadly missed member.
Boambillee is the other Classic Yacht to have two Summer Series best overall performances and is the current leader of the Marie Louise III consistency trophy after the completion of the 2013/2014 Summer Series
Congratulations for some solid racing performances go to Avian for taking out second overall with 32 points and to Bungoona for taking our 3rd best overall by 33 points.
To our 2013/2014 Summer Series fleet, the Association values the work and effort all skippers and crews of each Classic Yacht put in to bring their Classic Yachts out for racing. It’s because of this effort to race in our fleet that brings a high degree credibility and regard to the Classic Yacht Association by the senior keel boat clubs on the bay.
So with the end of another big series of Summer Racing for the Classics we are now ready for our 2014 Winter Series. The Notice of Race for the Winter Series and entry forms has been prepared. The first race scheduled for May 4th.
A big event of the day, March 2, outside of the Race, was to watch Frances being put through her working up paces. Peter Johns reports we can expect to see her in some of our Winter Series races. A big moment for our fleet. Another big moment for the fleet will be to see Doug Jenkin on the helm of Blue Jacket. A Knud Reimers Albatross. A larger design to that of the Tumlaren. This design was used in single handed Trans Atlantic races of the 1950’s
Coming up. Next weekend. It’s the 2014 Geelong wooden Boat Festival. Twenty Classic skippers have entered their boats into the festival. The kick off event is the Portarlington to Geelong passage race starting at 12 noon. This means a Saturday departure of around 5:30 am to make the start for those who cannot do the Friday transit. All being well this will be an occasion where the Classic skippers and crews can socialise. With 90 entrants. Mayhem will be the berthing order of the day.
Following that we have the Queenscliff Maritime Weekend March 28-30 and then the Sandringham Yacht club Centenary Regatta. Another item that’s chasing us if the push by the Festival of Sails people to bring more Classic’s down for the big week end.
So till next weekend, that’s it from the Handicapper.
Don’t forget to sort out your Association membership renewal.
Regards to all
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper.
2014 Winter Series Notice of Race
2014 CYAA Winter Series Entry Form (PDF)
2014 CYAA Winter Series Entry Form (docx)
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