William_H
Well-Known Member
We have just competed a hectic round of local interclub competition for clubs around Swan River. It was very different sailing to what most of us are used to and probably not to everyones taste.
The boats used are Foundation 36 owned by Yachting Foundation they have 12, I think Farr designed purely for racing. No electrics no engine no creature comforts. The only difference is the color of the spin and top mainsail flash. Boats are allocated by draw.
I had been involved in trying to get members interested in training since Christmas with limited success. We needed 4 complete crews of 6 to compete 2 races on Friday evening 2 on Sat morning and 2 early Sun morning and 2 lunch time Sunday.
Somehow in a moment of weakness olewill got talked into helming the first team Fri evening. Fortunately I was allocated (or snatched) an excellent crew. Graham and his brother both race regularly (twice a week) on a similar boat at another club and are extremely good. 2 other brilliant sailors made up the crew.
I should explain the races are in a tight part of our river right outside the clubhouse, each leg about 800 metres long to windward and return done 3 times for a race lasting about 30 mins.
Each downwind leg involved 3 or 4 gybes of the spin.
As helmsman my job was to do what i was told! This turned out to be a bit nerve wracking. There was so much riding on the racing. Graham said don't jerk the tiller. I explained later it was just nerves every time they called go up or go down. It was surprising how little of the action could be seen from the helming position (tiller) that is why Graham was tactician.
First race was a disaster as we finished 4th out of 5 racing. I had used my initiative to tack at one stage on a knock only to find we should have kept going to make the lay line for the buoy. Hence requiring 2 more tacks. I didn't realise we were so close to the top mark.
Second race was amazing after a medium sort of start we got nearer the front. About midway through the leader went to the wrong buoy about 20 metres further on so that we were able to catch up a bit. Then on the wind he went too far and touched the bottom so he lost another 20 metres getting off. (By heeling the boat and heading more off the wind.)
So amazing we won by some 30 metres with all the rest bunched up in the next 100 metres. The first time in along time our club have won a race in this series.
With seconds between first and last, as I watched later races it was amazing seeing spinackers hit the top when the boat was hardly more than halfway around the buoy and full with the pole attached within about 1 boat length.
It was a treat watching from the club balcony the later races. Tactics wind shifts etc critical. Unfortunately our teams did hardly better than last in following races. Which made olewill a bit of a local hero of the moment. In reality I remember and saw little of the racing I was helming more of a case of my friends making me look good.
It was however a real treat to handle a thoroughbred racer. Everything just smooth in every way. I want one!
Back to regular racing with one race left after easter. I am determined to try to beat Graham (for the first time). With light winds at this time of the year I might have a chance.
The madness continues for a little while longer before packing up for winter.
I hope this story is not boring or bragging regards olewill
The boats used are Foundation 36 owned by Yachting Foundation they have 12, I think Farr designed purely for racing. No electrics no engine no creature comforts. The only difference is the color of the spin and top mainsail flash. Boats are allocated by draw.
I had been involved in trying to get members interested in training since Christmas with limited success. We needed 4 complete crews of 6 to compete 2 races on Friday evening 2 on Sat morning and 2 early Sun morning and 2 lunch time Sunday.
Somehow in a moment of weakness olewill got talked into helming the first team Fri evening. Fortunately I was allocated (or snatched) an excellent crew. Graham and his brother both race regularly (twice a week) on a similar boat at another club and are extremely good. 2 other brilliant sailors made up the crew.
I should explain the races are in a tight part of our river right outside the clubhouse, each leg about 800 metres long to windward and return done 3 times for a race lasting about 30 mins.
Each downwind leg involved 3 or 4 gybes of the spin.
As helmsman my job was to do what i was told! This turned out to be a bit nerve wracking. There was so much riding on the racing. Graham said don't jerk the tiller. I explained later it was just nerves every time they called go up or go down. It was surprising how little of the action could be seen from the helming position (tiller) that is why Graham was tactician.
First race was a disaster as we finished 4th out of 5 racing. I had used my initiative to tack at one stage on a knock only to find we should have kept going to make the lay line for the buoy. Hence requiring 2 more tacks. I didn't realise we were so close to the top mark.
Second race was amazing after a medium sort of start we got nearer the front. About midway through the leader went to the wrong buoy about 20 metres further on so that we were able to catch up a bit. Then on the wind he went too far and touched the bottom so he lost another 20 metres getting off. (By heeling the boat and heading more off the wind.)
So amazing we won by some 30 metres with all the rest bunched up in the next 100 metres. The first time in along time our club have won a race in this series.
With seconds between first and last, as I watched later races it was amazing seeing spinackers hit the top when the boat was hardly more than halfway around the buoy and full with the pole attached within about 1 boat length.
It was a treat watching from the club balcony the later races. Tactics wind shifts etc critical. Unfortunately our teams did hardly better than last in following races. Which made olewill a bit of a local hero of the moment. In reality I remember and saw little of the racing I was helming more of a case of my friends making me look good.
It was however a real treat to handle a thoroughbred racer. Everything just smooth in every way. I want one!
Back to regular racing with one race left after easter. I am determined to try to beat Graham (for the first time). With light winds at this time of the year I might have a chance.
The madness continues for a little while longer before packing up for winter.
I hope this story is not boring or bragging regards olewill
