Attached are the results of today’s Race 3 plus the Aggregate Series Points and Marie Louise III points status.
The boats in the fleet starting on the favoured port tack at the pin end of the line received a bonus 20 degree shift right on 10:30 that put them well above the committee boat end starters. With Zephyr beating up to the pin end of the start line and attacking it with 10 seconds to spare, the start of the day has to be given to Anne and Karen Batson. Another contender for the start of the day was Roger Dundas and Charlie Salter with Avian. Say no more.
Knock downs and close calls before the first mark were the order of the day for Acrospire III and Sayonara and a sad retirement for Joe Tuck and the boys on Loama. Bill Johnson also decided it was not to be the day for Lily Guy, another sad occasion. At the R4 Mark some close zone calls, both Mercedes III and Marie Louise III, all powered up and being lifted into the mark were a feature here. Acrospire III was a retirement on the run after some bad squirts from Station Pier. Clive Moulday had Blackadder in her element. She was a grand sight with impressive bow waves and mixing it with the fleet. Till the RMYS F mark she had the fleet beaten.
The sail of the day belongs to Marie Louise III. Working the wind shifts at the start, Peter Lloyd put Marie Louise III up with the fleet leaders after the first mark and held station with Mercedes III, Boambillee and Pastime II throughout the race. Today was her weather, “the best she’s ever raced” quote’s Peter Lloyd. Sad to say, it was all seen by the handicapper.
The wind and sea conditions also allowed Bungoona, helmed by Cameron Dorrough, to once again show off her impressive old ways. George Low with Jim Hutchinson of Dingo on board eased off with Snow Goose, her first chance to test the water after her big makeover. The fleet was tight till the RMYS F mark a wind shift to the north put paid to any chance the back end of the fleet had for a corrected time showing. Trim, Ettrick and Sayonara after her impressive controlled gybe at the RMYS A Mark, were in with a chance till this wind shift hit them on the beat back to the finish line.
Ross Clark with his Martini team report they had to work hard to catch and then hold off Bungoona.
Both Serfia and Cyan were missed by the fleet. Craig Brown reports that Cyan will make up for missing out on today’s race with a fleet killing Race 5 performance. With that bit of news the handicapper took to sharpening his pencil in anticipation. Fairwinds II is on her way to Hobart. No status from her to date after passing through the heads at 1800 on Friday.
One more race for the year, a pursuit, starting off the RYCV Marina on Dec 15 then a break till Feb 2. The start times are yet to be determined. Hard luck handicap stories will be treated with the usual derision.
Regards to all
Peter Costolloe
CYAA (Vic) Handicapper
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