Hooray we Won!!

Finally we were first over the finish line! We beat Mercedes by about half a minute. Yes she starts half an hour after us but she's also much bigger. Alcyone came third a bit later. Given the debate about handicapping with such a small fleet we have no idea where we will come on handicap. And the fact that the person in charge of the racing is overseas it could be some time.

It was another spectacular Sydney spring day with sun shining and a nice breeze of 12 to 15 knots. It did cloud up after a while forcing us all in to jackets and jumpers but we had a good race. Another day with no start boat. Neil has been sent to Switzerland - someone's account?? - so Dayna had to decide the course again even though she is no longer on the ASCC committee.

We set off a bit after the start time of noon, partly cos Dayna was on the phone to the other boats telling them the course, and mostly cos I did my usual trick of getting too far from the start line and underestimating the time to tack.

We had the long beat to Lady Bay just past Watson's Bay, then a run back to Point Piper putting up the pole for the first time in ages and with a bit of difficulty but eventually successfully, then a beat back to Neilson Park and another run to the finish at Clark Island - just ahead of Mercedes. Dayna's double chocolate brownies sustained us.



We anchored next to Mercedes in Athol Bay for lunch. The crew surpassed themselves again with fresh oysters and prawns, moroccan chicken, smoked trout, beautiful cheeses, italian bread, bean and pasta salad, green papaya salad and artichoke salad. And strawberries! And wine. And beer. What more could a girl ask for.

On the way back to the mooring we rescued a speed boat full of boys who had broken down just between the bridge and Goat Island, a high traffic area and not a place to be drifitng. Why they didn't call the water police I don't know. Anyway we towed them to McMahon's Point and left them to it.



Then home tired but happy.

1st Spring Race

Although it was a beautiful day Sunday was rather windy when we started alone at midday, again without a start boat. This time Neil kindly came out in the mastless (topless) Topknot to do starters honours but quickly had engine trouble and was towed back to the mooring by The James E Hill who happened to be out with skipper and ex-commodore Paul and Topknot's owner Laine on board. We hope soon the club will own a start boat.

Cheshire Cat headed for Shark island with a reefed main and jib but she was still a bit overpowered in the gusts. With Jenni sporting stitches from recent minor surgery and a hangover or two on board we decided to retire garcefully, take Jenni home and enjoy a lovely lunch on the mooring. We passed Alcyone and Mercedes who started at 12.30 and presumably completed the course. By the time we settled in back at Balmain the wind had dropped making for ideal dining conditions.

Of course once we'd washed up the wind had blown up again and the row to the yacht club proved exhilarating and a little nerve-wracking for Julie and Terina at either end of the dinghy.