scott.projectsomewhere

If you thought breaking the number 2 rig on Friday afternoon was
bad luck - then what would you say about breaking the number 1 rig
on Saturday!

Well that’s exactly what we did… what a horror of a start to a
regatta.

The race committee sent us out for a start on Saturday afternoon at
4pm, when the usual Sydney Harbour weekend traffic is a little
lighter. It was a rush to hit the water, with most teams making a
late call for big rig when the sea breeze failed to kick in the
early afternoon. A general recall then a postponement delayed the
proceedings as nasty green clouds surrounded the city… it was
going to be interesting. John parents decided to take their cruiser
out of harms way after hearing reports of 40 knot winds and hail…
yet the committee decided to soldier on with a start
sequence.

To cut a long story short - it was a bad call. The breeze did a 180
within 30 seconds of the start and everyone bolted down the harbour
in a trailing 25 knot breeze. We rounded the Beashel bouy and
worked back into increasing pressure… the race was abandoned as
visibility went down and the breeze went up. The fleet scattered in
pieces across the harbour as squalls flattened the fleet.

We were doing ok… making our way up to Clarke Island and
considering tipping the boat to save the rig while the storm blew
itself out. We dumped it in a tack and waited…

Unfortunately the weather wasn’t going to play so nice. What
must’ve been a very strong gust whipped under the small area of
exposed main that wasn’t underwater and brought the boat upright.
With the foot of the main still deep underwater, and the load of
the rapidly rising tip the mast just couldn’t cope… bang… there
goes another one.

So we packed up what we could and did about 10 knots going downwind
to Bradleys under hull and wings alone.

Anyway… we catch the sailmaker before he leaves for the day, and
load the broken rigs into the trailor for a fun night at Woody’s
factory. In between the rows and rows of washing machines and ovens
we glue and sleeve the mast back together as the hours tick
by.

I have to say, full credit to Woody for his help - absolutely
incredible for a guy who is sailing in the event to give up his
sleep just to make sure we get back on the water. There are few
people who are so generous with their time (and money) - when they
really don’t need to be. Top class effort - the class wouldn’t stay
afloat without him.

So back to Woody’s to finish off the mast early on Sunday after a
late Saturday night…

We bring the rig back to the boat park and then try to fit it all
back in place - the extra 40mm in length does little for our rig
setup… so we have to recut the base, and re-adjust everything.
We’re finally rigged and ready to go… and last ones to leave the
beach some 5 hours after we started.

But then its not all bad. We started ordinarily in the light to
moderate Sou-Easter, and were deep in the fleet up the first work.
We had some good shifts before the mark and with a good first reach
we were close to the main bunch. Unlike the last few weeks we
weren’t slow - and managed to pick through the fleet ahead rather
than get rolled by everyone behind. There were some tense times
flogging the kite and bouncing over tanker waves - everyone’s eyes
were on the new join to see if things would hold up… they
did.

We finished 10th. Not bad in this fleet. Ahead of Australian Champ
Michael Coxon, and ahead of Euan - and that always gives you a
reason to smile

And since Asko was the sponsor of the day - more appliances for
us!

The JJ Giltinan 18′ Skiff Worlds (the battle of the white goods)
starts today.

Thedailysail.com aptly
named the event, with boats like Omega-Smeg, Fisher & Paykel,
Panasonic, Maytag and Asko competing.

The British World Champs on RMW are sure to be quick, even though
they haven’t sailed together since the last regatta. Howie Hamlin
from the US will be fast as well. The 17 boat Aussie contingent
will surely be competitive… who will win? No idea.

I’d better be going… racing starts in a few hours!

What a way to start a regatta - especially a World
Championship!

The invitation race of the JJ Giltinan was held today in a 20-25
knot Nor-Easter - one of the best breezes we’ve had all season. We
were feeling pretty comfortable cruising around before the start…
yet in the first bear-away… bang (not another one!)… and the
rig comes down. Don’t you love ageing skiff gear!

Last week the pole died, this week the mast. Now we have to start
the Worlds with a spare mast that we’re putting together. Fun
fun.

In the actual race, RMW destroyed the fleet. They were so far in
front after only 1 lap… it was game over.

And just quietly… it’s game over for the regatta… everyone’s
racing for 2nd place at this stage.

Not that you’d be voting for anything really important… but
anyway.

I’m up for election to the Yachting Australia Athlete’s
Committee. Due to the huge amount of nominations received (3), I’m
up against a Finn sailor, and Belinda.

What a shame if I wasn’t voted for - I wouldn’t be able to attend
all those fun meetings! Anyway, I think Belinda - bikini wearing
Hobie girl will pull in more votes…

With 3 nominations it will be interesting to see who actually
votes. Since you physically have to print and mail a form… I’d
bet the total number of votes will be under 10.

The San Fran Worlds are shaping up to be a repeat of St Moritz in
2004. Dave & I look as though we’ll go, Lauri is representing
Finland, and rumour has it that Tristan &
Alain will jump back into the 29er for a guest
appearance.

Fun fun.

The Australian team this year is shaping up to be the strongest in
a long time. Jamie Woods & Iain Jensen have booked tickets
already. They’re one of the fastest teams in the World when it
blows. Then there’s Jaden Andreatta & Jamie Jochiem who are
also quick at times. Herman is heading over with Tom Anderson, so
he’s an unknown quantity. Jacqui Bonnitcha and Euan McNicol will be
so fast it will be embarrasing. They’ve just got to stay out of
trouble. There’s talk of Will Chritharis teaming up with Seve
Jarvin - they’ll also be an unknown - but surely quick. Then
there’s Clint & Ty Marshall. And then Dave & I.

Interesting.

If all of those boats went, I would be suprised if any of them
didn’t make Gold fleet. 4 of them would be top 10, capable of top
3. But then again none of them is going to have the kind of leadup
that the Northern Hemisphere boats will have… so who knows.

So who else will go from around the World? Who else will be
fast?

I can’t think of anyone else outside the GBR squad that’s going to
be on the pace. The US boats will be fast for sure, but I’d guess
not polished enough to avoid bad races now and then.

Then again it could go all soft and some lightweight from silver
fleet could come through for the win… hmmm.

Yes well, some people have all the luck don’t they. It doesn’t get
much better than having a mega-rich dad who’s pretty much obsessed
with sailing…

So Sharky Kahn is to race in the 18 Worlds starting on Friday.
Shark’s dad - Philippe - the founder of Borland who’s last company
sold for some $270M, has bought into the 18 footers so his son can
race. Not a bad effort.

Sharky (former World Champion Melges 24 sailor - at the age of 14)
will race with some paid gurus on Aristocrat. The boat is going in
for an intensive makeover this week - and with new rigs and a
pretty spray job - might come out going quick. It can’t go much
slower than it is… that’s for sure.

I just hope he doesn’t beat us!

Would be nice if Philippe gets really keen and bankrolls f1sail. I doubt this guy made so much
money giving it all away though!

At least this is one seriously rich guy doing good things in dinghy
classes, not just an old goat with an inversely proportional
complex building mega yachts to impress the girls.

Now I wonder if they’ve seen a hydrofoil Moth lately…