Crew: Dean, Jamie, Murray, Geoff.
Forecast: Northwest 15 kts gusting 25 kts backing to southerly 15 kts late afternoon.
Another brilliant day for sailing, although with considerably more breeze to keep things interesting. We cast off from Chaffers bright and early at 0830 hrs and motored up the harbour closely followed by Tamerlane.
The course was announced by RO Max Meyers: Start – 23p – 26p -25p – 6p – Finish. Start at 1000 hrs.
The Start
We hoisted the No. 2 jib and full main for the start. Halo was a little slow getting to the line and we crossed the line just astern of Tamerlane as we passed the committee boat.
Round Top Mark
With four solid tacks we worked our way up to the Jessie Street mark. The northwesterly was already gusting over 20 kts, delivering some handy lifts but also demanding concentration. On the final approach we had to pinch hard to avoid clipping the buoy, rounding just ahead of Tamerlane and Expresso.
Downwind Down Harbour
Jamie hoisted the medium reaching spinnaker and Dean took the helm for the run down harbour. After a couple of lively round-ups in the gusts we decided discretion was the better part of valour and dropped the kite before things became too entertaining.
Broad Reach to Evans Bay
The reach south was classic Wellington harbour sailing, fast and sometimes chaotic. Halo charged along neck and neck with Tamerlane, Expresso and Sika II. Gusts were touching 30 kts at times and Halo occasionally surfed over 8 kts as we tore down the harbour. Big breeze, big seas and plenty of adrenalin.
‘Buoy Room’ at the Bottom Mark
A gybe was needed before Shoal Pile. As we approached the mark, Tamerlane had established the inside overlap. We had to give way, allowing them to slip through and take the advantage around the mark.
The Beat up Evans Bay
The beat up Evans Bay became a tactical scrap with constant crossings and shifts.
We crossed paths with Tumbleweed, who later radioed Race Control to retire after ripping their mainsail in the heavy conditions.
Meanwhile Halo traded places repeatedly with Expresso and Tamerlane. A few favourable shifts and well-timed tacks finally allowed us to edge ahead by the time we rounded Point Halswell.
Run down to Front Lead
From Kau Bay it became a full-on drag race toward the Front Lead with our jib poled out ‘goose-winged’.
Expresso, the larger Beale 33 stretching its legs in the rough conditions, began clawing back distance as the fleet powered through the harbour entrance chop.
Rounding Front Lead – ‘Buoy Room’ Again
At the Front Lead, Expresso arrived with rights at the mark and called buoy room on us. They rounded cleanly ahead and emerged in the lead as we began the final long beat north.
Beat Back to Seaview
The final beat back toward Seaview sparked plenty of tactical debate aboard Halo. We agreed to continuing further up the eastern shore before tacking off Webb Point. Murray kept a nervous eye on the depth sounder as the Eastbourne shoreline loomed.
Meanwhile Expresso and Tamerlane split west below Ward Island, making for an intriguing tactical showdown to the finish.
Sprint to a Close Finish
By now the breeze had eased below 15 kts. We discussed changing up to the No. 1 genoa but decided the time loss probably outweighed the gain.
After two final tacks we were on the layline to the finish. One last short tack was needed to clear the red marker buoy before crossing the line just two seconds ahead of Expresso after over three hours of racing.
One of those finishes where everyone onboard is suddenly very interested in exactly where the bow is.
Back Home
Jamie took the helm for a far more relaxed sail back to Chaffers while a rather tired crew demolished packed lunches, teas and coffees.
Another great day’s sailing on Wellington Harbour — big gusts, surfing downwind, tactical battles and a photo-finish ending. Hard to ask for much more from club racing.
Just minutes after Halo was safely tied back in her berth at 1440 hrs, the forecast southerly finally arrived complete with the classic black Wellington cloud. Perfect timing.
Race Replay
https://placebojim.github.io/player/?id=1pM9YN2QHoTM95lfrKXhcrHUhfY8YRfWv
Results
Not quite as high up the results sheet as the first two races, but still enough to keep Halo sitting 4th overall in the series with one race remaining.
Halo Log Book 