DF95 42 Degrees South Regatta

An excellent field of 16 entered today for this year’s instalment of the DF95 42 Degrees South Regatta. Unfortunately the wind didn’t quite co-operate and we were given 0-3 knots to sail in for the duration of the day.

PRO, Andrew Wardrop, after long consideration, has us all on the water and started on time for the first race, however, the wind or what little there was, decided to abandon us and the race became one of the slowest we have had, coming in for a finish just inside the maximum allowed race time.

Just as we finished, the light breeze returned, and we finished a quick re-check of boats before returning to the water to sail the next four races back to back – just in case the lunch break proved the end of the wind for today and we at least had enough races for qualify as a ranking event.

Coming in to lunch, things were very tight with Lisa and Kyle fighting it out at the top of the leaderboard – one point between them and three points separating 5-8th place. Silver fleet had one point separating 2nd and 4th with 5-8 all tied on points as well.

At the conclusion of lunch, there was some breeze available, so “Boats on the water” was called and we all got out to the start line again. This ended up being the last race, with the start under rather benign conditions and maybe 6 sailors got away initially with the rest just sitting at the start with no breeze available any more, however things did turn somewhat and many stuck on the start line caught up to the lead fleet, with the exception of Nick and Kyle who were fortunate to maintain momentum throughout and a lengthy lead over the rest of the field.

At the end of that 6th race, the skippers were offered an early afternoon, which was accepted unanimously.

At the end of racing, Kyle came out on top, with a very consistent day, finishing with 11 points to win the 42 Degrees Sout Regatta.
Lisa, having sailed so well, with three race wins was somewhat unlucky with a few races and hurt badly with some soft patches on the water, taking second place, four adrift on 15 points.
Nick Connor also sailed very consistently with 3 podiums throughout the day, just one behind Lisa on 16 points for third place

In Silver Fleet, Phil Turnbull had a fantastic return to sailing, taking first place on 13 points, also with a race win in the Main Fleet.
Malcolm Watson represented the North of the state with aplomb, taking second, just two behind Phil on 15 points.
Third place went to Scott Brain, a further two behind on 17 points.

Well done everyone on a bit of a frustrating day with the wind. A lot of laughs and good humour throughout, which made the day a bit more enjoyable.

Special thanks to our three volunteers today, Andrew Wardrop, Ricky Price and David Woolley (Sheep). Your help is always appreciated, and today was a particularly difficult one in the very light wind, trying to get a good and fair course for everyone.

Photos of todays sailing kindly provided to us by Ray Joyce and Grant Wise
 
Coming Up:
Wednesday is “Super Wednesday” for IOM’s at the Dam – button press at 1030
Saturday, 30th May is the rescheduled Herb Tyson Memorial for A Class yachts – please get your entries in as soon as possible
Sunday, 31st May is RM Scratch at the Dam, button press at 1000
 
Kyle