Still Nailing It

On a beautiful sunny Sunday we raced in 12 or so knots of NE breeze around the Balmain islands with a crew of 7 including Tim from the UK where he sails a trimaran off the Isle of Wight. We are planning for him to return the favour!

We came 4th of 8 boats in our division and retained our place at the top of the point score in the PHS (Performance Handicap) division and second in the BMS (Balmain Measurement). For those who don't know in PHS the handicaps change depending on how well you sail so if you do really well your handicap gets bigger and then you start not doing so well. It means everyone in a friendly club like the BSC get a chance to win. The BMS is based on a complex calculation of boat size, sail area etc and the rating does not change. That means that to do well you actually have to sail the boat well. And after years of always coming last in BMS we are now smokin' it!!

We are also locked in a  battle with Charlie and Ang on Solveig which is fun. What a shame the ASCC is not part of this since two of their erstwhile boats are doing so well.

So we are happy kitties.

I have been following the solo round the world sailor Jeanne Socrates on her boat Nereida. It does make you realise all the things that can go wrong out there alone. Although she seems to have more than most people's misfortune. http://synereida.livejournal.com

And I was very disappointed that Samantha Davies had to retire from the Vendee Globe after being dismasted. Have to wait for the all women team in the Volvo Round the World now.

Lots of sailing

A lot has happened on Cheshire Cat since we got back from Hamilton.

We had a 4th and a 1st in the twilight series

Concentrating in light breeze in the twilight series

Gorgeous sunset as we barely finished the twilight in time.

and a 4th and TWO 1sts in the Sunday series. AND we got a 4th, a 3rd and a 1st in the BMS division which is not related to handicap but goes by measurement so it means we are sailing the boat rather well.  Some of this at least has to be all we learned sailing in Hamilton Race Week.

Balmain Regatta - ACE Marine Photography 

And in the Balmain Regatta we came 5th out of a fleet of 24.

ACE Marine Photography 

Michael as Spinnaker pole - Barbara Hamilton took this shot

We looked rather smart in our new t-shirts.

And we did the ASCC's Jacaranda Cruise which was a really lovely saunter up the Lane Cove River and a delicious seafood lunch, thank you Julie. And then I won the Jacaranda Queen, largely due to lack of competition! Nevertheless, a queen is a queen.

Jacaranda Queen

Quest in Lane Cove