Valmadre Race 4

( Chart showing our speed over the 7 hours of racing)

Talk about frustrating. Due to a complete lack of wind (apart from the expulsions from the previous nights meal) we had one of the most testing days on the water for patience. After an average start and being gassed we were unable to get in clean air to reach the leading bunch of yachts that included X factor, syrenka, peard, dark energy. These yachts managed to carry a small amount of breeeze around the first mark and continue downwind with reasonable breeze while the rest of us parked up. The frustration continued in fickle breeze for most of the day and we remained in different breeze from the leading yachts. At one stage we saw jelly fish swimming past us. Fairy Tern was overtaken by a turtle. Still, it could have been worse. We could have been on X factor. The only good bit of breeze we had after rounding the last mark enabled us to come from barely being able to see X factor to finish a minute or 2 in front of them across the line.

The outcome was largely up to luck, we pretty much did as much as we could with every bit of breeze that came by. I think we sailed well with what we had, doing 2 knots in 2.5 knots of breeze at times.

So the Valmadre series is now complete and the overall result will be very tight. We were leading in IRC and had a place in YAH. Yesterday we finshed 4th in IRC (160minutes behind 1st!!). But Peard only managed a 2nd so the results could be interesting. We are probably out of contention in YAH now but could still be 1st in IRC, though we may have done a Cadel Evans. We will just have to wait and see and put our focus back onto the Winter Series with 3-4 more races still to go.

Naviguesser

Winter Series Race 5

Well not a good day for race 5. There were some navigational errors (just like to point out that the naviguessor wasn't there) and some "interesting" kite jybes (apparantely). Finished down the list and not much to talk about. Seems the crew would rather forget this one.

Valmadre Race 3 - Race abandoned

(Click to enlarge)
Here is the agony of the day.

Due to lack of winds race officials shortened the course and Success took up position near a channel marker, a Pilot boat directed Success to be moved from anchorage due to Success being within the Eastern shipping channel and as one yacht had already finished the race could only be abandoned.

Had a clear separation until the fleet that were miles behind sailed up to us under kites when we were two sailing it to the Campbell marker.

After rounding Campbell marker we were sitting in third spot on a very light and shifty day, with the finish line about 100m(0.5nm by GPS! correction made by naviguesser) ahead when the horn blew.

It must be said Simon did an excellent job on the helm under very trying conditions as at one stage I did see a piece of seaweed overtaking us ;-) we averaged 3knots of speed over five agonising hours in 0 to 5 knots of breeze.

Andy and Aid

5 July - Non Event

Just in case you're wondering, Winter Series Race 4 Cancelled due to bad weather. Wimps! the front had gone through and it was actually easing at 16 knots when they fired the abandonment gun. We were all prepared and on the boat ready to go when the race committee canned it. Back in the bar they were nowhere to seen, I think they went home to put on their slippers by the fire. It should be called the Leisure Series!!!

All dressed up and nowhere to play left several grumpies by the bar. Meanwhile Andrew was busy checking his compass bearing.