Sailing The Blackwater: Frosty! “I don’t think so”

Sunshine and meaty squalls brought excitement/fear and a rapid opening of the Splat The Duck competition for 2008. Martin Scarth joined the fleet this week, front ended by Nigel Sheppard sailing a Fireball. Also we saw the return of home club sailor Kevin Whittle sailing a Laser and a second Hornet visiting sailed by Crystal Tips & Alistair. Also the return of Simon Sawyer sailing a Merlin, front ended by Ron (who now thinks he’s fit enough to crew).
Bill heading the race box set a course in Lawling Creek and with a SW 14 knots lumping 20, the fleet put to the water and it was clear very quickly that the shelter given by the club house and Maylandsea had lead the fleet into a relaxed state of mind as the fleet appeared to be struggling to gain control as they approached the start line.
The race box decided that too much excitement on the club veranda was not to be tolerated and undecided on who was and who was not over settled on the three boats that did return to restart rather than have a general recall.

This was clearly wrong as is shown by the photos taken at the time. But sa la vie it is unlikely that it altered the result (by much).

Dean and Rob (one of the boats that restarted) got back into the race very quickly with nippy spinnaker work in what was now quite a testing ride, beavered away to finish 4th. Martin (Laser) as always sailed well, maybe pushing the start a bit and removing some of the creases in his new sail, finished 3rd. Jacko and Lorna also restarted and were seen to be in the deepest of conversation for a lot of the race. The words “it’s freezing” came across very clearly as Lorna (sunny side up) hung over the bow to retrieve the spinnaker from under the stem. Jacko been a gent looked for a seal wearing a woolly hat (lost in the winter) finished 2nd. Martin and Nigel looked a little serious as talk of premature starters wafted around the slip. Martin and Nigel did have a testing day heightened with the disappearance of the race mark Stripy and the decision of the support boat to place it’s self a ¼ of a mile further down the creek from where it would have been. All boats finished with Martin and Nigel taking the bullet.

Notables : Kevin (Laser) returned, having dried out following last years dunking in the winter series, sadly opened this series’ Splat the Duck competition right out side the clubhouse, much to the enjoyment of the Sandhopper spectator audience. However for Simon and Ron losing time to go around a now submersed, hanging on the dagger board, Kevin was not an open option. Luckily Kevin was un-bruised and with encouragement from the clubhouse remounted and finished the race. As for the comments about Ron’s eyes been on stalks and Simons precision steering losing only nanno seconds.The pairing took a dipping on a (“I will talk you though it”, jibe). Mr Playle was also seen “looking for Jacko’s hat” in the waters.

Race 4 was a much more cautious affair; all competitors being on the same side of the start line. The tide had now flooded over the saltings and the breeze was easing down. For Martin and Nigel it was lets get on with it leaving the fleet for dead at the start, not to seen again and taking the second bullet of the day. Jacko and Lorna nearly started with the others but once more left a lot to be done. At the half mark almost got back in the race but failed to capitalize on gains of Lawling point and losing out, passing the marina to finish 2nd.

Dean and Rob battled on in the failing breeze and at times it looked like line honours may come to them as they sped past Jacko and made big gains on Martin in the Bay, but alas finished 3rd with Martin (Laser) 4th
This now brings us to the last race day in the series, on the 9th March at 11:30 with all to do and all to lose. It is hoped that the winds are fair to all and Ron’s dog finds something worthy to chew on. Full results