Well I have finished my Log sailing on a high note by winning the nationals at Adelaide sailing Club. The regatta was part of the Adelaide International Regatta and attracted 9 canoes.
Front Runner and defending champion Hayden won the first three races then got caught in a nasty squall and ended up wrecking his boat on the breakwater. He was still faster than the log upwind in the 15kts and big seas we had on day one some of which might have been due to me feeling very uncertain about the conditions and having a couple of swims on gybes. I came second twice then broke the boom trying to get a bit more vang from a new untried system.
I have a new sail again from Ben Gemmell this time from a stiffer cloth and full size. Its much better as it should be after what we both learned from mk 1.
The second day of teh regatta was lighter and off shore, meaning it got quite patchy at the windward mark. Kevin Knot lead at one top mark and Kyle Knot lead at another but the nethercotts were not in teh race downwind.
Ht 4 was a close match race between Log and Christian with Log just edging ahead in a finish mixed up by the committee moving the mark as we were about to finish. Ht 5 looked like being similar until Christian clipped my stern in a cross and put a hole in his boat, requireing a quick trip ashore. By heat 6 the attrition rate of canoes was so high only Frank and I completed the course.
Monday dawned wet and very windy from the SW and all canoe sailors decided we were staying ashore.The waves were even bigger that Saturday. Other classes rigged but after some delay the RC called off all racing and the regatta was over.
The Log is the new national Champion and its also sold. Jon Emmonson who sailed Lust Puppet at McCrae has bought the Log and will sail initially from Jervis Bay and later where ever the Navy send him.
Designing, building and sailing the canoe has been a very rewarding experience. I have met some amazing new friends in Aust and from overseas and will always remember the experience and the friendhips. I have promised the Aust Canoeists that I will be interested again when the worlds come back to Aust or even New Zealand.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
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