The Partington Plate Series made a most promising start on Saturday 18 September.
Event #1 of the series saw fourteen boats make the start line after the 13h30 briefing by RO Roy Shooter, ably assisted by Elspeth Gray.Most encouraging was the number of larger keelers turning out on the day. More encouraging was the presence of some new faces at the Club and on the boats, and the re-emergence of a number of 'absentee' members.Word around the club is that a few more of the bigger boats should be joining the fray in the near future.
The warm westerly had the RO set a course from a Jetty start to No 6 (Buildit),No 4 (Amanzi Water),No 1 (Quantum Sails), back to Amanzi, up to Quantum for a second time, and then to the Jetty for the finish.
First to No 1 was Tarbie flying along on his little Extra to lead the fleet all the way home.Then came a bunch of craft led by the Hunters Picannin and Flirt, followed by a gaggle of some lovely old keelers shaking out their long-stored sails and adding some real bulk to the fleet.
Hunter Picannin managed to hoist a perfect 'wine glass' spinnaker rounding No 1 (having had the bag stored for over six months) allowing Flirt and a Dart to overtake.Close on their heels was Hunter Paradigm Shift (Robin Mc with rent-a-student crew, Rachel, on board). Also in the mix was the L26, Desiree, with her asymetrical bag.
As the fleet moved around No 4 for the second time, the wind switched to a gusting easterly, making the leg back up to No1 a "soldier's course". The newly-acquired Stadt 22 of 'Odin' Cockerill,Lentil (paid for?), was out on the water after lying at her mooring for some years and used the conditions to enjoy a race-within-a-race with HMYC Commodore, Richard Solomon, at the helm of the Hunter, Aquarius, with the latter just sneaking ahead at the finish
line.
Also out on the water were other bigger keelers enjoying the outing: the Stadt 26, Cheers, the L20 of Pete Goble, the Theta 26 of Big D Wagner and a Microsail. Hunters Ukuzingela and Knip were also out to enjoy the day.
The wind conditions on the run to the finish at the Jetty proved quite interesting with some participants reporting unstoppable rolling, Chinese gybes and near broaches !
A great day's sailing followed by refreshments on the verandah, with the gathering being entertained with stories of daring feats out on the water.
A great start to the Partington Plate Series of the '10/'11 season. Let's work at getting more of the keelers at mooring out and sailing.The growing number of larger keelers in the fleet presents a great opportunity to get folk introduced to the joys of sailing, especially as crew.
Upcoming HMYC Calendar Events:
Sunday 3 October Class Champs/Monthly Mug #2
Saturday 16 October Partington Plate #2
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October Rose Bowl Mini Regatta
Sunday 31 October Youth Fun Day
Sunday 7 November Class Champs/Monthly Mug #3
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