A lengthy dissertation on the number “five” by the Captain at briefing may have been an attempt to delay the start but eventually a dozen boats went out to face the twenty gusting to twenty seven knot sea breeze for the final keelboat race before Christmas.

It was a challenge to raise the mainsail, put in a reef or two and scramble for some wet weather gear, you knew you were going to get wet, well maybe not the skippers.
The earlier start-time was in the hope that with a shorter course (E 2) most would be home before the forecast of increasing wind strength to thirty knots later in the day was realised.

Once outside the safety of the groyne on a beat up to Foam the full force of the wind and waves was felt by the crew on the rail for the first drenching.

No spinnakers were raised for the run to Marina and winging the jib to windward was the order of the day, with a short pole or have a crew-member hold the sheet out, none were lost overboard.

After the final beat up to Whale it was another downhill run home, this time with the pole holding the jib and the crew getting a well-earned rest, even if still wet.

In division one Bad Habits led Mulberry and Perle across the finish line with the handicap results the reverse, Perle breaking through for their first win of the season. Perhaps courtesy of Bad Habits splitting the jib along a seam on the final leg. Perle with a single reef and Mulberry with a double reef had a great tussle until Mulberry got away when poling the jib and Perle relying on a human pole, poor Scottie.

The division two boats were well spread out with Covert Operation fastest by six minutes from Blue Chip and Show Me and Pinta each a dozen minutes further back. Peter,the handicapper can take a bow, for the four boats finished within two minutes, Blue Chip first, Covert Operation second and Show Me third.

Whispering Jack continues to show she is the thoroughbred of the division three fleet with fastest time but had to settle for third place behind an emphatic win by Stelfred and Kind of Blue. Skipper of Stelfred, Laraine was heard to remark afterwards “we survived”, which pretty much sums up the day for most.

For the start team in the tower it was business as usual according to Sue: coffee, a chat, warm as toast; one has to ask: “are there any pre-requisites for applying for a position in the team?”

Good luck to crews competing in the Cockburn Regatta between Boxing Day and New Year. Next race January 7, for NCS 3.

John Bird