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Port Jackson Championship

Sydney Flying Squadron - 25th March 2007

Report

Two questions were being raised before the start of the Port Jackson Championships at the SFS. Question 1. Was it forth rig? This is always a good question to over-hear and usually suggests that the race is going to be ok. Question 2. Was Birdy still drunk? This was an interesting question because although alcohol and Woof go hand-in-hand, it is usually the Goats responsibility.  The answers to both these questions were … …  probably.

Rain squalls and variable South East wind made the rig selection interesting for all that attended the Port Jackson championship, with most electing to go with their small rigs. With 10 minutes before the start it appeared as though most would have got it wrong but the breeze would filter back in. This would be the norm for the day’s race…..10-25knots.

O (Jono Temple and Richard Jones) held an early lead from Gemmell Sails (Murray Press and Ben Gemmell) up the first work to the first mark rounding. A poor set on board O saw Garde (Brett Hobson & Alex Johnson) recover from a bad start to hit 2nd place with Gizmo (Michael Bochner and Tim Baraclough) catching fast.

Going downwind in a 12 in forth sail is fast. Sometimes fast is too fast. It really cuts down the time you have to decide whether you should go above or below the ferry, whether you are about to run aground near Bradley’s Head or what part of the boat you should aim for during your spectacular capsize.

Gizmo hit the lead after the long spinnaker ride down the harbour to Chowder bay, from Garde followed by Gemmell. Garde managed to sneak inside Gizmo around the bottom mark, and hold a slender leader up the next beat.

Garde and Gizmo went toe to toe for the rest of the race and were never separated by more than 10 seconds at each turn. Gizmo worked hard to find themselves leading at the last top mark, but appeared to have thrown it all away by not setting their spinnaker initially, opting to sail high to ensure a safe rounding of Bradley’s Head.

When the breeze died out for a brief moment, Garde looked to be in a favorable position by sailing low with their spinnaker. But the next rain squall hit hard and allowed the Gizmo to make the finish line and take a slender victory.

Gemmell Sails held on to take 3rd in a dying breeze, with Datacall 4th and Geotherm 5th.

Handicap honours went to BAYS (Jakub Ronowicz and Matt Peat).

That now wraps up The East Coast Championship and the Miller Shield. Garde took out the East Coast Champ on 3pts, from Datacall in 2nd place on 35.4pts. Geotherm (Scott Hobson & Brad Phillips) came in 3rd with Karoshi (Bill Olsen & Adam Chadwick) finishing 4th.

The Sydney Flying Squadron won the Miller Shield from Lane Cove by a mere 2pts. 349pts & 347pts respectively.

Results

Photos