Largs Bay State Heats Weekend
Chad Elsegood, Friday, 18 December 2009
Largs Bay Sailing Club State Heats 2,3, and 4 weekend Summary
Saturday Heat 2
Well guys, I know its been a week or so but I have finally completed the progressive handicaps for the past 4 races with many thanks to my crew Matty Johnston for setting up an easy-to-use handicapping program that we can use for years to come. And to Michael Tozer who helped out with some of the write-up to get more of an overall view on the races…..Cheers guys.
Well the big weekend at Largs proved to be an interesting one. Saturday’s race started with great anticipation and excitement, the forecast was for a S/SW sea breeze 10-15 knots. 11 boats in total turned up and well done to Neville and Margaret to make the trip down from Wallaroo. As the start time approached, boats started heading out to the line in what was about a 13-15 knot breeze, perfect conditions. Most boats had a great start, some opting for the pin end. It was the likes of Cruise, Kurdi II and Tarrango from the pin end that gave them a slight advantage as they stayed well away from the congestion at the boat end. Most of the fleet decided that trusty ol’ Largs was going to be favoured on the beach side of the course which saw most hit the left hoping to get that nice lift off the beach. After quite a few covers which bought back some hard-nosed dinghy sailing, the top mark placings had Tarrango in front closely followed by Cruise and Kurdi II with a slight gap to Kurdi Magic, Reebasevol and Sinulog Dancer.
The next two legs of the triangle provided a few position changes as Chappy showed that he still hasn’t lost it when it comes to downwind sailing. By far the quickest off the wind, he was right up my clacker by the time the 3rd bouy arrived. The next 2 laps were near on the same up the front up and at the back of the fleet with everyone covering the nearest boat to try and avoid dropping their spot. This provided a bit of humour and sledging between the crews as all positions were constantly under threat from the chasing pack.
As the lead pack began their beat back to the windward mark for the last triangle, there was some very close tactical maneuvering a bit further back. This was an ever changing beat for the tailing pack as positions changed the whole way up. Both Tempo and Sea Racer did a starting job to get a lead over Pork Chop. On the downwind leg, the waves proved useful for once as it provided some great surfing conditions for everyone. Back around the mark for a final beat to the finish, it is by now that the breeze has really picked up. Mini Cracker and Tempo decided it was their time to shine as the breeze stiffened, leaving Pork Chop, Sea Racer and Indian Summer to battle it out at the back of the fleet. Some brilliant close racing made sure Pork Chop re-gained their lead over the once leading Sea Racer. While up the front of the fleet the constant covering of every boat was starting to take its toll.
Matt and I agreed it was bloody hard to keep Kurdi II and Cruise behind us and when the gun had gone, a huge sigh of relief was felt. Another 5 – 10 boat lengths and Chappy would agree that it could have gone either way with the final margin being 10 seconds with the comedy boat only 20 seconds further adrift.
Handicap placings saw Cruise, Mini Cracker, Tarrango, Reebasevol and Kurdi II taking out the top 5 spots. A special mention to Searacer, Kurdi Magic and Kurdi II taking out the top 3 handicap placings from Heat 1 in the Port River.
Sunday Heats 3 and 4
Well weather conditions from yesterday were again the forecast for the Hartley fleet which was going to leave some very sore crews over the next couple of days, with two short sprint races programmed and the sharpie fleet to also contend with.
There was plenty of mucking around before the start as we had to let the Sharpies start first, but this was used as time to fine tune settings before the start of the first of 2 races. A few different boats were present for the back to back heats, unfortunately Sea Racer was unable to take part due to some unlucky boat damage inflicted by a trailer after heat 2, Mr. T and Wayward were a few added participants to the line up, and Indian Summer was no where to be seen.
The majority of the fleet again had a good start spread right across the line this time, with a bit of close action happening down the pin end which appeared to be favoured. Racing was once again tight. At the windward mark, the fleet was very close as the goosey poles took their place. Greg and Paul on Reebasevol were the big improvers for the first leg with themselves, Cruise, Kurdi II and Sinulog Dancer vying for the lead. The fleet was once again very close as they surfed down the waves towards the bottom mark, fortunately, the Sharpies didn’t get in the way. After a couple of unfortunate bumper boat incidents on the second half of the leg, Kurdi II was left to do some spins which put him a few lengths back but everyone knows not to right off the little master because by the very next mark he was again clipping at the heels of the front bunch. Top mark again saw the big fella on Reebasevol out to a few seconds on Sinulog, Cruise and Tarrango. Reaching in the strong breeze was a nice ride towards the shore line wing mark and positions were tightening up. By the last bottom mark, the fleet was well bunched up and another incident between Tarrango and Kurdi II made it even the more fiercer.
The short beat to the finish, like yesterday proved to be a very interesting tussle. Sinulog hit the lead by a second but after a slowish tack near the finish line saw Greg squeeze back and Tucky dead even. Who was going to win was the big question, and I don’t think anyone was 100% sure when the race finished as to who was victorious. With a one second gap between first and second and a further one second back to third it was anyones race. Final placings went to Reebasevol, Cruise, Sinulog Dancer, Tarrango and Kurdi II. Handicaps went to Sinulog, Mini Cracker (having another fine race), Pork Chop, Reebasevol and Cruise.
     
After a long delay that saw the breeze shift more around to the south, crews were enjoying the bit of down time to refresh after a hard fought race. Most crews had a sail past Greg and Paul to congratulate them on their first state heat win….who could not see the sun beaming off of Greg’s pearly whites from kilometers away?????
Another close start saw a heap of congestion at the pin end. Chappy had jumped away to an early lead from Tarrango, Cruise and Sinulog Dancer. Slowly now the wind began to lighten enough for crews to realize things needed to be slackened. Racing was once again so close at the windward mark, fortunately there were no issues with the leaders heading downwind coming in contact with those arriving at the mark. This next downwind leg was very tight racing, no boat was left behind as the boats surfed down those Largs waves. Racing was very close at the bottom mark mid fleet with Wayward and Pork Chop exchanging a few words.
Things on the next beat started to go downhill for the crew on Pork Chop as a quick inspection came across a broken rig tensioner. In the good old racing spirit, they pushed through extremely bad point to make it to the windward mark, which unfortunately uncovered some nasty mast swaying in all directions, which gave no other option but retirement. As Pork Chop headed home, the racing intensified as the rest of the fleet put in their all for the final leg of heat 4.
The rest of the afternoon race showed everyone how difficult and tight these boats are when it comes to getting the most out of them. Boats were continually changing settings to get the best out of themselves. Reebasevol, Mini Cracker, Sinulog and Kurdi Magic were continuing their good days out and Wayward were enjoying their best race or the series.
Final results showed Kurdi II from Tarrango, Sinulog Dancer, Reebasevol and Cruise with handicap placings going to Wayward, Sinulog, Mini Cracker, Tarrango and Hally on the Magic.
Ashore saw a lot of conversation between the wary crews and after some extremely good sportsmanship and a lot of talking, Chappy decided the best thing to do was to retire from both races for different incidents. Chappy and Steve showed everyone the type of people they are as very fair sportsmen with a competitive nature that makes our class and sport so great.
All boats raced well despite the ever changing conditions, the short courses, and the side by side racing which makes sailing such a great sport. We look forward to doing it all again at Wallaroo in February next year.
Many thanks to the Association for getting photographer Peter Muirhead out to get some photos of Sunday’s racing and if anyone wants a few, send me an email at chadjorja@netspace.net.au or give me a disc next time you see me and I will copy them for you.
Check out all the results in the “Results” tab at the top of the page.
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