Crew: Geoff, Murray, Anastasia, Patricia.
Forecast: Northerly 15 knots, gradually easing to variable 5 knots in the morning. Southerly 10 knots developing about midday. Turning southeast 10 knots. HW 1428 hrs.
Anastasia and Patricia joined Geoff on Halo at Chaffers Marina at 1100 hrs. The southerly breeze was very light so we rigged up the light Genoa No. 1. We sailed into the harbour and did some practice tacks with first-timer Patricia. Down to Evans Bay we tied up at the wharf at 1204 hrs. The course was announced as Start – Somes Is – Finish. The rounding of Somes could be port or starboard as desired.
We observed the wind increasing to 10-15 kts so we took down the genoa and hoisted the No. 2 Jib. Murray joined us and we decided that with the SE wind we would be better off rounding Somes anti-clock wise. We cast off at 1246 hrs and rushed up the bay to find Pania and the start line. Got there a bit late for the start at 1300 hrs.
We hoisted the the medium spinnaker which went well with Geoff on bow and Murray on helm and made good speed up the bay. After we cleared Pt. Halswell we found though, that we were struggling with the kite as the wind was now on the beam. We decided to douse it and continue on course to the east side on Somes following Jesse James and Incantare. In retrospect we should have continued with the spinnaker and headed to the west side of Somes as the bulk of the fleet were flying up the harbour with their kites. Oh well, too late now…
As we rounded the top of Somes we we now ahead of Incantare but as we beat out way back to the finish line they were able to point higher than Halo and passed us.
We crossed the finish line at 1444 hrs in 6th place on corrected time. A great day out on the water!
RaceQs Replay: http://raceQs.com/event/1492874
Halo Log Book 