Winter Race 2 (Harvey Race 1).  Course 35 for both Blue and White and Course 25A for Red.  What a spectacular day on the water!  The early morning rain held off and the sky cleared to blue.  With a 15 to 20kt SE –S - SW breeze the afternoon was perfect for a quick sail.  Thanks to the ‘Twilight Girls’, Eliza and Emma, for the start and finish duty.

The decision to make 3 divisions seemed logical but sadly only two boats faced the start in Red Division.  Hopefully the others will be there for the next race.

Welcome to Pat Nash and crew in Joka (ex Warren Welch) who have joined the fleet for the Winter Series.  As usual the Etchells hit the start line in a bunch and remained in a tight group around Cockatoo and up to Goat.  Serendipity pulled away slightly on the very shy spinnaker run to Longnose aided by the fact that Raptor (I think) seemed to have at least two spinnakers where one would have been better. The fleet kept incredibly close for the entire race, possibly as safety in numbers seemed a good strategy with the ‘maxis’ Fireball and Soundtrack on their tail.  By the end Serendipity reached the safety of the club ahead of Raptor, WGARA and Joka with the entire fleet within 2 minutes. Handicap went to Raptor from Serendipity and WGARA.

In White Division two ‘new’ boats appeared – Soundtrack (John Amos) and Shemozzle (Paul Clune).  The start was again close, especially considering the strong breeze with Cav Sav attacking the pin end and the rest lower towards the club – looked hectic from a safe distance behind.  Fireball kept their distance at the start but soon with the fleet out of Humbug began making up ground.  After rounding Cockatoo both Fireball and Beware of the Dog were neck and neck.  On the work to Goat, the Longnose wind shadow came into play leaving a couple of boats ruing their decision to go in close. On the shy run back to Cockatoo, the huge yellow kite looked spectacular as Fireball broached and headed for the Longnose Wharf.  Fireball pulled away on the second leg and was in amongst the Etchells.  Soundtrack were on the beat back to Goat and with the strong breeze pulled away from the much lighter Beware of the Dog, leaving the Northshore divison of Out of Africa and shemozzle and the Cavalier division (CavSaq and Kirralaa) to fight out their respective positions.  In the end Fireball was back ahead of Soundtrack and BOTD.  Shemozzle took handicap honours from Out of Africa with Fireball a credible third.

In Red Division, Flair and Zig Zag both sailed brilliantly, did everything perfectly, dodged floating boathooks and branches, didn’t hit any rocks, enjoyed the sunny afternoon and sailed a close race.  Flair made it back narrowly ahead and Zig Zag took the race on handicap after an excellent sail.  Pity there weren’t more boats to enjoy the day!

Next race is Winter Race 3 June 5. Be there!!!!!