HMYC Club Champs and Monthly Mug #6

HMYC CLASS CHAMPS AND MONTHLY MUG #6 - Sunday 6 February 2011
(Report by Tim Duguid)
Well, the wind did not play ball on Sunday.
A VERY light south-easter came through towards mid-morning.Race Officer Rob Bell, ably assisted by two good ladies this time ( he found it such a chore!), took the fleet onto the water by 11h00. The sailors were eager to get going after a fairly long break since KZN Hunter provs. This resulted in numerous early starters and the RO having to signal a general recall in both of the races sailed on the day.
In the first race and No2 as the windward mark the re-united Team Odin showed good form, choosing the Thurlow side of the dam and Hybrid Theory choosing the dam wall side. Both made good water up to the mark with those playing the shifts in the middle not fairing as well.So it was Hybrid, Odin, Baby Blue around the top can with Essex hot on their heels. Unfortunately the wind died down during the run to leeward and bridge shortened course .
Result: 1.Hybrid 2.Odin 3.Baby Blue 4.Essex
Lack of wind had all off the water to enjoy lunch and a chat session on the Clubhouse verandah, while waiting for the wind to arrive. Dark clouds inland then indicated a thunderstorm starting to brew down Ashley Bay. This weather sign resulted in the fleet being sent out in a hurry to get the remaining two races in.
The course was again to No 2 and back to a leeward mark.Tight racing to the windward can saw practically the whole fleet of Hunters in a bow-to-stern procession around the mark. A quick gybe after the spinnaker hoist had Odin take an inside lead, after her slow start, over Hybrid with Essex and Baby Blue fairly closely matched and Flirt waiting to pounce. With Odin rounding the leeward can, a shortened course was signalled due to changeable wind conditions ahead of the approaching storm. With Odin having opened up a lead to the line, it was a dice to the finish by the rest
of the Hunters. Essex worked hard to get the inside advantage on Baby Blue, covering her to the finish and managing to sneak in ahead of Hybrid by shooting the pin end on the finish.
Result: 1.Odin 2.Essex 3.Hybrid 4.Baby Blue 5.Flirt
RO Bell and his assistants on board the good ship 'Paris Hilton' chose discretion and signalled the fleet home ahead of the approaching storm to close the days sailing.
Odin appears to be well placed in the George Duffin Series Trophy standings with Essex and Hybrid always in with a chance.The Monthly Mug was shared by Odin and Hybrid on equal points for the day. Hunter Silver Fleet standings still show 'The Doc' (Tim Kerry) ahead.
See you at the HMYC QUANTUM SAILS NINE HOUR ENDURANCE event on Saturday 26 February.
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HMYC CALEDAR UPDATE
* Saturday 19 February - Partington Plate #5
Briefing 13h30

* SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY - HMYC/QUANTUM SAILS NINE HOUR
THE BIG ONE - HMYC's SAILING EVENT OF THE YEAR

* Sunday 6 March - Class Champs and Monthly Mug #7
Briefing 10h30
( Hunter Mpumalanga Provs - Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March-Witbank)

* Sunday 13 March - Sailing training and Dam Bottle Sprints

* Saturday 19 to Monday 21 March - HUNTER CLASS NATIONALS - DAC - VAAL DAM
WHERE ARE THE HMYC HUNTER RAIDERS ??????????????

* Sunday 3 April - Class Champs and Monthly Mug #8
Final event of the series - Briefing 10h30
* Sunday 10 April - Autumn Handicap
* Sunday 17 April - 2010/2011 Closing Cruise