1st geograph race week 2009

Looks like tonight could be very messy! Yesterday we had a 1st and a third which pretty much said all we had to do today was start to take it out. We did better with what looks like a second over the line and another win on handicap. The stuff of legends. When one considers the other boats were stacked with rock stars flown in for the event to crew, this is awesome and were are somewhat happy with our performance.

Todays race started in a light breeze and we were able to use our white kite, come JT, come code zero and simply sailed away. Our two closest competitiors both with rock stars finished around 15 minutes behind us on a shortened course after refusing to gybe when we did. Now comfortably sat back at the accomodation we are drinking margiritas as a precurser to the presentation tonight.....I wonder what time we will leave tomorrow. Looking forward to our rock stars due in this evening to help with the delivery back to mandurah.

Meanwhile back on the road news is that Charlotte in in WA somewhere on the nullabour.

Race week

Well halfway through race week and its all happening. We had a cracking start to the week with 3 first places and a second. Taking out the long passage race and the night race. Three windward leewards yesterday and we were pretty much a target for the other boats resulting in some very average starts and mediocre results. Probably had something to do with the fact that many of the crew did not get to bed until 4 am! At close of business last night we were still sitting in first but not by far. Todays racing and tomorrows racing will be the decider. The racing is very close and exciting. One mistake and its all over. some positions on corrected time differ by only one second .

Todays racing was better than yesterday but still waiting on results. We are happy with our day and believe we are still sitting in first. Two windward leewards tomorrow and another passage race to go.

The question is should we go on the pub crawl tonight? hmmn........

Silos race

The theme for the next day was that you could not crew in your normal position. Bugs on the bow, captain blowhard on the helm, naviguessor on the main, mattman on the strings, oh dear this is going to be interesting! The weather forecast was changing by the minute so anything could happen and did. With forecasts of a SW strengthening during the day we had a kite start in a 4knot southeasterly. Most boats parked on the line but for 3 boats. One look at bugs and it was pretty obvious that the only three boats moving had Avalon Sails kites and mains. A happy little chappy this weekend was bugs.

We carried the kite to the first mark with Fairy tern rounding first and the wind followed us round through the east to become a 10-15 north westerly and carried us all the way to bussellton in true champagne sailing. Awesome sail, a couple of unhappy crew when we had to wake them to put some weight up when we were carrying the kite at 59 degrees apparent for a brief period when the wind hit 300 degrees, before returning to 320. Result 1st on IRC and some drunken sailors for the bus trip home. Thanks to Phil for being the bus driver.

Bunbury Classic

A strong Southerly with a bit of east greeted us as predicted on Friday night providing plenty of action at the 6pm start for the long haul south. We opted for the pin end and were looking okay until Walk on the Wildside decided to shove us off the edge of the course. We rounded the day bouy in a respectable position but probably further back than we would have liked.

Everyone was heading well up of windmills mark and doubt was cast on the navigator as he gave the correct course (you doubters). We hoisted a kite and headed in the correct direction with only one other boat flying a kite but eventually others followed . We rounded the mark with windows absolutely trucking and almost out of sight as we began to bash through the confused and lumpy seas south. Thankfully there was some east in the breeze that meant it was straight to bouvard.
Windows was out of sight when news on the radio came through that they dropped their mast after a fitting let go. A pity as the race record would surely have been on the cards.

From here it was just business as usual with bums on the rail and a little uncomfortable with several members of the crew vanishing from the rail to do their evening prayers….at least I think that’s what they were doing on their hands and knees! Much entertainment was provided during the night when it was decided that a sail change was in order after “o damn” couldn’t get the boat going. Matt provided much needed motivation and the tactician completely lost it in fits of laughter for at least ten minutes when Captain blowhard decided to impersonate a blowfish or perhaps was providing a safety demonstration of how the inflatable life vests work, meanwhile the naviguessor lost power to the laptop with bouvard reefs all around us. Somewhat chaotic but quite entertaining.

After a couple more sail changes and dawn broke as the swell settled and it was smooth sailing from here into a more southerly breeze. By now the big boats had finished and thsourtherly just put some distance between us making it hard to get a good result.

We finished with a 4th on IRC at 8:15 am after Next factor, Knee deep (race record), and optimus prime.

Well she is looking mighty fine at the moment with a week at the health spa getting a full facial and makeup application ready for next weekend. Every looking well underneath.

If you look carefully you can see her smiling.

Preparations for the Bunbury Cup

The boat is out of the water with a working Bee scheduled for saturday 7th.. Preparations are underway for the Bunbury Classic in just over a week. B has gone to Sydney for a holiday on her own for some modifications and upgrades to overcome the lack of motivation she shows during races. But for those keen followers of this site, there is a major change of plan ....................check this site for the gossip........ http://charlotteswebmarten49.blogspot.com/

But what does this mean for TWU? Stay tuned for more up to date news.....