Rising Damp knocked flat by vicious gust in Augusta
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Peter Vandertang enjoys lighter conditions
Peter Johnston on much loved 'Anitra'.
Start line manoeuvring
After the Christmas break and weeks of no Sunday sailing due to strong winds, a large number of boats competed in Round 3 & 4 of the Stocker Preston Club Monohull Championship on February 4 at the Augusta Yacht Club.
The catamarans were also well represented on the water, after having sailed last week at the Geographe Yacht Club Regatta where Vice Commodore Mal Buzza on Buzz Box was the overall winner in his class, they were keen to get back to business on the Blackwood.
The weather on Sunday was cloudy and mild with light winds from the Northwest (most of the time!).
After the extreme winds of the previous weeks and the drama’s of the Augusta fire, the sailors were able to enjoy the mild conditions which lead to some very close racing on the day.
In the monohull fleet the standout, across the line performer, was once again Figjam in both races with Beez Neez and Seabird hard on her heels in first and second races, respectively.
The Championship races are now decided using a handicap system and Walla-Bee was the winner of both Rounds of the monohull Championship races.
The catamaran fleet enjoyed two closely contested club races with Yellow Taxi taking home the prize for most successful Cat after winning both handicap races.
The races were conducted without major incident. Rising Damp was knocked flat by a vicious gust in the first race and after taking on a couple of hundred litres of water and losing their bailer they struggled to finish in the light conditions.
In the second race, after raising a bigger jib to increase her speed, Big Red Dwarf was still struggling through the light conditions and discovered that she had been towing a very large (and empty) crab net for most of the downwind leg!
After the racing the usual presentations and post race BYO BBQ was held with most members staying to enjoy the very pleasant conditions.
Next week is a social day sail up the Blackwood with some boats intending to camp overnight if weather is suitable.
Competition racing returns on the following week February 18. See you there!
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Margaret River Mail
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