Registration & Practice Race Aus Nats

28 December 2012

Australian  Championships Practice Race

The sun was out as we awoke to a perfect day in beautiful Port Lincoln.

The morning consisted of measuring and registration followed by PRO "Uncle Mike's" briefing. With us all dazzled by some changes to the sailing instructions - and Sri Lanka's collapse in the cricket we headed off on to the race course.

The breeze was offshore from the south east ranging from 12 to 20 knots, 30 degree wind shifts and a very small short chop.

From the writer's point of view it all went pear shaped from the moment he hit the water. Josh the almighty crew popped his knee cap out and inverted his knee less than 100 metres from the beach. After much profanity he managed to pop his knee back in and being either brave or stupid insisted he was fit to race.

The 25 boats entered the start sequence with a sly grin as PRO " Uncle Mike" made a blew and forgot a course flag causing much confusion. A quick postponement and this was fixed and we lined up for a start with the breeze around 18 knots.

Robin and Joel leapt out the blocks and took the early lead. They were closely followed by Jack and Tom, Greg and Havas and Nathan and Dave working up the right.  Around the top mark the reach was tight -  free - tight - free ----- damn 30 degree wind shifts. The second reach was even more  shifty.

The position s remained unchanged at the bottom mark but the second beta stirred it all up a bit. With the broken crew still nursing a sore knee Ben and Josh picked their way from sixth to second.

Rounding the top mark Josh's knee again popped out with much swearing, allowing Greg and Tom past in the process.

While things closed up and spread out again on numerous occasions the positions on the final lap positions didn't change a lot with Robin and Joel securing the win, Tom and Jack second, Greg and Havas third and Ben and broken Josh fourth.

Other notable performances came from Matt and Matt with Thomo and Eddie the Eagle close on their heels who found the gust of the day on the first reach of the last lap, closing a half leg long gap in a matter of seconds to threaten taking places on the podium.

There was tight racing throughout the fleet and at the bar all had a story to tell.

The day finished with the welcome night gourmet BBQ and a few beers. Tomorrow looks to bring good breezes for the first two races.

Thanks go to Dave Godden, Mike Rogers and all the other volunteers for making the event happen.

In finishing - just a quick note that Josh ended up at the hospital with a dislocated knee cap, torn cruciate ligament and hyper extended knee joint. Surprised he could stand let alone crew the race and put the boat in the top four.

As they say tomorrow is another day so stay tuned...........