EBYMBC Winter Series 13 July 2014 – Win for Halo!

Crew: Geoff, Murray, John, Jamie, Juliet.

Forecast: SE 7-11 kts.

John, Jamie and I cast off from Chaffers and with the No. 1 HW genoa hoisted did some practice tacks as we sailed round to Evans Bay. We tied up to the poles by the slipway facing into the southerly breeze next to Tamerlane.

Juliet and Murray joined us and we checked the course for the day: Start – 11 (s) – 5 (s) – Finish. After eating our lunch we cast off at 1150 hrs.

John rigged up the maxi spinnaker in preparation for a downwind start in the 10 kts southerly breeze. Crew positions were, John on bow, Juliet and Jamie on sail trim, me on helm and Murray on mainsheet but taking over helm on the downwind leg.

Our strategy was to approach the start line on a broad reach flying just the mainsail and then hoist the kite just as we crossed the line. We did a practice run-up to the start from a transit line from the breakwater to the north end of Miramar Wharf. We timed it at 2.5 minutes doing 3.5 kts.

Everything went to plan and we had a great start just behind Saucy Sausage and ahead of the rest of the fleet.

The faster boats, Usurper, Zigzag and Incantare soon overtook us but we were able to keep a good lead over the rest of the fleet.

Most of them followed Incantare towards Pt Halswell while we continued on a straight line right up the middle of the bay following Usurper. By the time we were out of Evans Bay it seemed this worked to our advantage as we momentarily caught up with Zigzag, Saucy Sausage and Incantare.

John went below and made some welcome cups of tea for all the crew. With the shifty wind Juliet and I had to work the spinnaker pole and sheet constantly while Murray kept a steady course for the mark.

We rounded the Korokoro mark at 1310 hrs. Saucy Sausage, who were just ahead, surprised us by tacking off to the right. We continued close hauled towards the Somes mark and were able to get there with just one tack. Saucy reappeared, now well behind us.

Passing Somes mark with millimeters to spare!

The sun came out for a lovely sail close hauled back to Evans Bay. We experimented with our sail trim and jib car position attempting to squeeze every fraction of a knot of speed out of Halo.

We entered Evans Bay and made one tack off the headland south of Shelly Bay before heading straight to the finish line. It got a bit hairy near the end as we had to dodge the smaller boats doing their races but we got through unscathed!

A great day’s sailing and we were happy that we had completed a pretty good race. We motor sailed under a beautiful rainbow back to Chaffers Marina, berthing the boat at 1510 hrs.

Back at the club for the prize giving it was announced that we had won on handicap! Two in a row 🙂 Great work Team Halo and thanks to EBYMBC for organising another fantastic race.