2007 SFS Brass Monkey Regatta

Last year the rooster but this year the feather duster.

On Saturday we had a hot Sydney westerly in the lee of the North Sydney high rise. The weather station at Fort Denison next to the course recorded winds of 15-20 with gusts of 25, but everone sailing thought it was worse than that with lulls to 5 and shifts of 45 degrees.

I got to the first mark after a couple of sucessful tacks in touch with the leaders but fell over on the bear away and put my body through the sail. End of day for AUS21.

In our division the race was between a good NS14 an MG14 and a 30 year old pre wing wooden 18. I think the small boats came out on top because they were easier to handle in the conditions.

In the other divsion the F18 cat blitzed it finishing a lap ahead in one race. One 18 in training struggled around, and the 12s won the yardstick

I repaired the sail overnight and improved the mainsheet system to reduce friction. The wind also dropped to a 10kt southerly.

I lead the 3rd race till the last mark when the old 18 caught me and then they ran faster downwind to the finish. The last race was nearly as good but the 18 lead around every mark. I probably stayed within a minute or two but could not find the shifts to sneak past.

The F18 and the modern 18 won a race each. Yardstick to the 12 again.

It was very rewarding to sail out of the start higher and faster than the NSs, as I still consider them as a benchmark in windward performance. I also tried sailing angles downwind, with body weight just outside the boat, and was impressed that the old 18 did not make huge gains. With a couple of slow gybes (the have an old end for end pole) I was right with them at the bottom mark each time. Some good practice, and some refinement of the boat. No swims on Sunday and getting confidnet on the tacks and gybes with improved technique.

Next weekend is the Woolhra Harbour Marathon.