Winter Series 2008

Audi Winter Series 2008

Race Thirteen

Oh for some wind, combined with an extraordinary Handicap and 20 minutes to just get over the start line I thought we sailed very well, the gybes were great and few good tactical decisions from the brains trust in Fantasy Land we got a few places back. Unfortunately we go overrun in the stampede and have slipped to 6th place. Lets pray for wind next week and for ladies day.

Race Twelve

What can I say no mistakes by the crew, a complete lack of wind and a totally strange handicap decision. We went off at 20, the boat has never in 6 years had such a high handicap, well at least we finished 4 boats in the division didn't and 34 out of the fleet. We our now equal third and have two very difficult races ahead if the Handicapper continues to penalize us. never one to admit defeat but with Perfect Match 11 points ahead I think it is not possible to win, hopefully we can still get a podium.

Race Eleven

Still in third place, just despite the best efforts of your skipper in successfully putting the boat in a perfect "hove-to" position at the mark, (bet I can't do it in a storm) we sailed well in tough conditions. The wind went from a balmy 12 knots to 24 and back again in seconds. It will be tough from now on to hold a podium spot especially if the winds lighten off, but even to be thinking about it is amazing considering where we were mid season, 3 races to go.

Race Ten

We are now in THIRD place on the point score, two things make for a tough day at the office, no wind and then the old "blowing dogs of chains" variety, we had the later 5th over the line 4th on points and 4th fastest around the track. Very few mistakes and a good day, it was also going to be hard to catch the front runners on such a short course but after we finally stopped playing catch and release with Big Blue it was a satisfying result. The two new crew Julia and Matt are surprisingly coming back next week. Did I mention we are now in THIRD place.

Race Nine

Second place with a scratch crew, Daphne on foredeck with Ed on mast 4 great hoists and very few mistakes, Ron handled the main, Bruce on Trim Gregory flying with Barb backing up all over the place. I new we were sailing on the last leg to SP when we were one of only three boats that far up the course. I think we just move into sixth place outright.

Race Eight

What about that new Headsail, did I mention the new Headsail! not to mention great crew work we got a 4th which puts in 8th position overall. To hold off a fast finishing Erica J and be the 5th fastest around the course (hopefully this will go un noticed by the Handicapper) was a great result. Your skip made a couple of mistakes going to low and having to dodge the fleet coming back from SP cost a little time but overall a great race.

Race Seven

Never seen a race like it, no wind all day, without the new headsail we would have been last 8th was a good result and moved up from 11th to equal 10th so we have moved 5 places in two weeks

Race Six

Finally a top 5 placing coming home with a 4th moves us from 14th to 11th place on the point score and we didn't get to use the new sail, we need top 5 placings for the rest of the season to be on the podium at the end, its hard but still possible

Race Five

No mistakes, just not enough wind or horsepower, we need new sails

Race Four

A hard day at the office, one minute you are in front next minute at the back of the fleet, the final spinnaker run and beat home felt great, although the results are not as good as we would like 10 out of 15, hopefully we start getting some consistency back in the coming weeks.

Race Three

Ouch, terrible start followed by wrong sail plan and a number of small mistakes leading to a last place, hopefully this was a bit of a freak day. The report card reads can do better, although maybe the handicapper will smile on us.

Race Two

Not a stellar race for us, a couple of tactical errors combined with some minor spinnaker issues and no wind or fluky at best, the waiting around for an hour for some wind so we could start didn't help much either 12 place out 16.

Race One

Is this Melbourne, 4 seasons in one day, third is a good result this early in the series the handicapper may not be too harsh, the crew went well, your skipper needs a little work on tactics to avoid those crash tacks. However i think the boat is doing well and with the improvements to the rig due in a couple of weeks; New # 1 Headsail, Solid Vang we can improve further. I will also check the steering this Saturday and the emergency tiller, at least it waited to fail after the finish line

Ladies Day

The right skipper, the right crew and good tactics; a best every result for the ladies day race, coming second to a pesky sports boat. As a crew we put it all together with no major mishaps, it was also good to feel some consistent breeze considering the forecast for rain and no wind, with a little luck the remainder of the series will have wind.

Ocean Points Score Series 2007/8

Finish the way you intend to start, Sydney to Newcastle the first decent offshore race of 63 nautical miles and we won PHS division, what a magic finish as the Sun set on Newcastle Harbour with the kite up and gliding over the line. It was a little different to race one of the series over 40 knots on the nose when we turned the bouy at Pittwater and after an hour of beating into the wind heading to Pittwater for an unplanned overnight stay. Interesting series over all consisting of two retirements, two mediocre placings, one non start and a win and we finished 12th overall.

Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta

What can you say other than winners are grinners, races one and two in heavy weather we maintained contact with the front runners and light to moderate breezes for races three and four. The whole series can be summed up as very few mistakes which included excellent starts which are critical in the short race formats. The final race to win on handicap summed up how well we sailed through out against a number of performance boats with a lot more investment. The perpetual trophy will be on display at the CYC for the year which only adds to the glory.

Monica Geddes

Great day but no glory at least we proved if one spends $700k on a swan it doesn't mean you can win. A slow start good first leg then a few mistakes. We were never really in the race, at least the beer lasted......Just