Maylandsea Bay winter series

A subdued sun shone out from a silvery sky but a ripping tide flooding into Maylandsea Bay had long displaced the wading birds. With the wind N.W. at 16 knots the gathering fleet appeared buoyant and ready to take on race 5. Sadly the race box could not be encouraged to run the race postponed from the last race day and with the footy blokes getting a hiding, not much to watch on the telly, a 40 minute race was a surprise. But dinghy sailors, always good for a laugh took it in good humour, and even when told “move it” and forget about tea and buns for race 6 was about to start, although bemused rushed off into the onward coming tide, now a third of the way across the rigging hard standing in front of the of club. (Things need to be sorted).
By the time the fleet hit the start line for Race 5 the wind was 16 to 18 knots, sharp and clean and once again we saw Ron and Laura win the start daring all and sailing over the remains of the submerged mud of the spit; but Keith was first to marks 1, 0 and 2 and lead the fleet out into the Bay. Keith sailed to the south side of the rum line and fending of Chris (Phantom) and Martin (Laser) toughed it out, but in a short race of crash and burn every blink of the eye is a boat length and Keith finished 3rd on the water and 3rd on corrected time.
Chris Roberts, never a sailor to mess with made a good start and not thwacking any of the race marks, sailed a full on race showing good boat handling and looked a happy bunny speeding past Keith to be 2nd.
It was good to see Alan Wigg back in a Merlin. Al, who has more crewing skills (and years) than Kellys have turkeys in a shed, fitted back into Jacko’s ship better than Paxo into a Christmas turkey!
Jacko making a safe start (there’s no such thing) sat back and enjoyed the ride as Wiggy (slightly puffing at times) pulled, pushed and sorted the boat in a very impressive way. Not even fussed by Batty’s (505) rounding mark 4 in the wrong direction or Batty sailing off to North Shore (mark not in the course) and at one time seen pulling Jacko’s hat down over his head to keep the noise down!! made the team unbeatable.
Race 6 saw the return of Paul Weeden sailing a Laser. Paul who is known for being no fairy when it comes to a full on sail boat race, quickly settled down to an earthy dig in the talent box and put the fleet well in it’s place and won the race hands down. A well pleasing sight to see and a well needed demo on how to sail a Laser.
Keith hung on hard and sailed a good race but was out sailed to finish 2nd.
Martin Tarlin, the series leading Laser and always in the top 6, pushed hard but trailing Paul by 4 minutes plus must be looking at body fitness and the ratio of little beers to body press-ups. But it’s never over till its over and a 3rd place finish keeps it race on.

Notables: Ron and Laura are now leading the Splat The Duck competition with another credible 2 entries, one involving mark 2, a Laser and a Fireball. Laura looking particularly wonderful as she twirled around on the edge of the gunwale (not easy on a 7 foot 2ins. Merlin) bang on right out side the clubhouse. Kevin for showing us boys his body bruises in the shower with the line “the spinnaker twinning lines are too short so the kite is self flying but the jib sheet was on the wrong side of the spinnaker sheet and that’s why I fell onto the centre mainsheet hoop, (whilst capsizing with Ron) at mark 2. Roger and Edward are still in the running for the Splat the Duck having been awarded an honorary entry (for not been present and not capsizing).
The Ladies in the Galley for outstandingly good service and the help they dish out that is making the club the place to be on a winter’s day.

Next race day 9th Dec. 10:00 start followed by the prize giving and an introduction to pucker beer plus a look at what’s next in sailing at Maylandsea Bay. results