It’s tough at the top
Yes, it’s tough at the top of the 18′ JJ Giltinan fleet -
especially when we’re not there. The first 3 races in the series
have been close battles all the way through the fleet, with 15
boats finishing within 3.5 minutes in Race 2.
The invitation race was a short-course affair in a light ENE
breeze. There were plenty of mark rounding incidents in the 4-lap
windward/leeward between Clarke & Shark islands. Lucky for us
we got off the line well, ducked a lot of sterns, but then luckily
pulled out into the strong tide of Bradleys and came smoking into
the top mark on port. We pulled back through a few boats around the
course to finish 7th. Going forwards instead of backwards through
the fleet was a novelty… shame it didn’t count for
anything.
Race 1 was looking to be a mirror image of last year, with 3
general recalls delaying the start while ominous storm clouds built
over the city. Our actual race start was a bit ordinary, but our
jib clew block gave way only 300m up the course and it was all over
for us. By the time we fixed it we were almost a lap behind, with
almost no chance of catching up. We went to the top mark, then a
capsize in the bearaway finally nailed the coffin in the race for
us. DNF in Race 1, what a way to start a regatta.
And Mum & Dad came down to watch on that day as well,
unfortunately they didn’t see much of me racing. What did I say
about 100 times more boat work?
Race 2 was in the usual shifty light Easterly that has been blowing
more often than not this season. We were gassed off the line but
got a good gap out to the right and were looking famous for a
while… til the breeze went left slightly and 10 boats pulled
through. We proceeded to battle it out between 10 - 15th for the
race, with lots of place changes going on in the very tightly
packed fleet (well it was tightly packed for 18 footer racing).
Unfortunately we were a bit slow upwind, giving places away every
time. We picked up Fisher & Paykel on the last run but got a
bit greedy trying to screw them when they were approaching the line
on port… they luffed hard behind us and got through for 14th
place.
F&P was having a bad day all round and came ashore (after
running into a moored boat) to file 3 protests - though fortunately
not against us.
So despite a DNF, there’s been no major breakages for us, and only
1 trip out to Woody’s factory to fix a mast base that probably
should’ve been done in October. Belle Property & Delonghi were
not so lucky, breaking their #1 rigs in the 1st and 2nd races
respectively. Both due to chainplates spreading and blowing the rig
pins out… not pretty.
So 5 heats to go, a 15th in the bank and no drop for us. We have to
pick the game up in a big way if we’re to have a good
regatta.
But my back is already stuffed from lifting the boat from the
furthest end of the park… these things really need to be 50kg
lighter!
