Another brilliant week of fun racing around the harbour and offshore around the islands. It is probably our favourite sailing week of the year. The racing was very well organised and the courses were fabulous taking in some wonderful scenery.
It was also very good spinnaker practice for SnO with everybody gaining much more confidence in varying conditions. The winds were mostly light to moderate with nothing too challenging apart from the strong tides which caught us out as we were sparring with CaVa throughout the day 4 race. Their superior tide knowledge took them directly over the line. An annoying wind change meant we had to make a quick tack, allowing four boats to pass us.
There were 113 boats participating this year, the largest fleet so far, including eight MHYC boats, CaVa, Liama 11, Elysium, Little Nico, Botany Access, Exile, Jambo and SlacNOff
The racing started around 11.00am and finished around 3 to 4 pm leaving plenty of time for socialising. Not having to wake up too early was a bonus. Entertainment as provided most nights. Instead of the usual midweek Race party before the Lay Day, Nelson Bay put on a street party which was loads of fun. The band, TopHat were particularly good, with an amazing vocalist and a range of instruments including the bagpipes.
The town has become more upmarket over the 4 years we have been participating. It is now possible to buy very good coffee in at least four establishments.
Ron caught a dolphin fish, otherwise known as mahi mahi, on the journey back to Sydney. Apparently, they are one of the fastest growing fish in the ocean. The alternative name of dolphin-fish came about from the fish’s habit of swimming ahead of sailing ships, as dolphins do. It’s a rapidly growing fish that can grow to a length of over 1.25m in its first year, and up to 2m in four years.
Martyn – S/V SnO