Looks like some decent wind for tomorrow with showers later in the day.
With luck it's time to leave the 5.5s in the car.
See everyone about 1 pm.
Russell
The wind turned up and we finished the day with 18 races. Great to see Duncan and Trish up for the race day.
The day started at 10 am with the AGM and about 30 turned up to go through the formalities and vote in a new committee.
Then the barbeque was fired up for everyone to have some sausages, onions, fresh fruit and the odd piece of licorice. Thanks Bruce and Jenny for making this happen, Roger and Rowena for the barbeque and Tony and a couple of others for doing the cooking. Nobody went hungry.
Briefing was at 12.50 and then straight into the racing. The restricted only had limited numbers so they raced with the lightweights. The first heavyweight race was restarted after a bit of a lull but then it was race after race in the strengthening breeze.
We started with windward/leeward courses and then as the wind came up and went a bit more south we sailed around the full loop. Great to see many winners over the day and because we all had 9 races can't remember who won what.
Lightweights had 6 different winners I think, Dom, Marg, Mako, Derek, Grant, Jon with Trevor, Sarah, Tony and a couple of others keeping the pressure on.
Not sure who was winning the restricted as they were mixed in with the lights but saw Lucy up the front several times.
Heavyweights had Orca and Russell fighting it out for the gun and Trevor also taking a race with Duncan having a couple of good ones and Bruce and Rod also up keeping everyone honest. Most had some good races but maybe lacked a bit of consistency.
Haven't had that many races for a long time. Soon we will get enough wind to drop down to the smaller sails.
So, all good at the ABC and now looking forward to 2 weeks time and teams racing at Papamoa and then club racing on the Sunday.
Results out during the week.
Russell
Wind now looking a bit better with 8-10 knts S/SW predicted around lunch time and into the afternoon.
See everyone at AGM at 10 am being held in conference room at normal Ardmore venue, otherwise at free barbeque just before 12 noon. Just what we need, lots of food and light winds. Everyone welcome, if you haven't entered series then see me at 12.30 for registration for the day.
Russell
Sounds like we had a bit more wind than others but still not enough to put away the big sails. Had about 20 turn up although Dom was the only school sailor, most still on holiday I guess. Mattie sailed all day with a 4 metre, only stopping a couple of times when the wind died away. A couple of newcomers stopped to have a go and promised to come again, maybe some new members long term.
Most were content to sail either the full loop when the wind allowed or the windward/leeward course when it swung a bit more to SW. The guys going to the Worlds were doing some experimentation and sharing some gear around with Bruce now going like a rocket in most conditions. The wind fluctuated all day with some lulls where we stopped but mostly enough to keep going around the course and try a few things. Held a couple of races, no number of laps specified, just stopped when the first guy felt like it. I think Rosie and Jenny were at the front for one and Grant 1 lead the other.
Two weeks after that is Teams racing at Papamoa so let me know if you're not in a team and want to make the trip. More details through ABC emails. Looks like we'll have 5 teams making it to Papamoa including the Champion Sharks team. Did you notice them sailing together yesterday and helping each other. Great dedication. This top match racing team has only ever been beaten by one other team in the last 12 months.
Russell
Meet at
Ardmore after lunch on Sunday 11 July. Fine weather a light wind predicted. Nothing planned so will make it up as we go.
Russell
Mostly fine?? Yeah rite! Mostly wet!
The day started at 7.45 for the early team to set up timing, tent city, barbeque and tables. Rain started about 8.45 and continued through to 10.30 with very little wind. Finally the wind arrived about midday. By this time most had hot drinks and food to sustain them through into the afternoon. Lots of food all day thanks to Jenny, Rosie, Tony B, and Louise. What a great job and then John arrived with his mobile cafe for more hot drinks. Must remember this for the future. Rosie D (Frucor) supplied lots of cold drinks, with some left over for the next event.
9 teams of 5 sailors hit the start line, racing 3 teams at a time in a double round robin format. With 10-12 knts gusting to 15 at times there was a mixture of 5.5s and 4 metre sails. Some lulls kept everyone on their toes. Raced windward/leeward courses of 5 minutes with a 2 minute dial up. With the grass being part of the sailing course there were plenty of people pushed off the tarmac as teams tried to progress their sailing mates. Some were quite aggressive in trying to take the opposition sailor on to the grass while others took the opportunity as it arose. After 3 rounds Sharks and
Shooters had equal points with the top Bay team 1 point back. Hamilton started a bit slow but came back with 2 wins in the last 3 rounds to pull their points up. The V Team also started slow but then had 3 wins midway through to put themselves back into contention. The rain came through with a drop in wind about 2.40 so it was decided to end after another 2 rounds. These last rounds were tight racing in the lighter conditions with big gains to be made by sailing the right course. Sharks had a 1, 2, 3 finish to gain a bonus point in round 5 which put them in front going into the last round where they were to meet Shooters who were sitting in second equal with Hamilton. Both Hamilton and Shooters won their last matches to finish second equal but Sharks placed 2nd to comfortably take out the overall win and the trophy which they hold until the next teams event.
Steady rain made packing up a bit of a soggy job and the food and hot drinks were most welcome at the prize giving.
Lots of good racing all day and some interesting tactics involving team sailing, quite different to what we are used to. All had a fun day and certainly plenty to eat.
Thanks to Trish, Julie and John for doing the timing and Matt and Rebecca for flag and hooter duty. Great to have the support from Graham and Bunnings for the barbeque, tent kitchen and dining area and Roger and Rowena for the tent out on the grass for shelter later in the day.
Results:
1st - Sharks (Mako, Bruce, Jon, Rosie, Ray)
2nd equal - Hamilton (Nicko, Alex, Graeme, David, Paul H)
- Shooters ( Marg, Russell, Cam, Lucy, Jude)
There will be another teams event at Papamoa in August, hopefully with the same teams making an appearance plus extras from around the country.
Next weekend we are trying for The Great 100 km race again. Updates during the week on the wind forecast but at this stage looking like the wrong direction.
Russell
