Yes it took about 1 hour and 59 minutes from when we arrived to cancel the race because of light winds.
The morning rain cleared on schedule, the wind was the predicted westerly, but after being promising on arrival at about 12-13 knts it slowly dropped away to under 10. Yes we sailed with 5.5s but it was not good. Very slow heading south and a bit more speed coming back north but the beach was a bit "sticky" with some soft sand and every time the wind dropped a bit everyone stopped.
We waited 30 minutes from the schedule start to see what happened and the wind came back a bit so decided on a 2 hour race rather than 100 km. We started as the wind dropped away again and only about 5-6 of the 30 starters had any momentum. After 5 minutes we abandoned. Barry was 100 metres in front and carried on to do at least one lap. He appeared about an hour later just as I was setting out to tow him back. He said he couldn't find the 5 km turning mark. I went to pick it up to find someone had stolen it, cone and blokart flag. Just as well we weren't racing, everyone would have headed for the Kaipara. A dirty trick and of no use to anyone other than with a blokart.
A disappointing day and the wind strength is again meant to be about 12-13 knts tomorrow, same as today, so decided not to take the risk and we will hold
Sport Unleashed Winter series at Ardmore as scheduled. I think this was unanimous.
Everyone sailed or drove back to the south end and some had a good sail at times on arrival back at the car park. A bit more wind but too late and we certainly weren't going to get in 10 km let alone 100.
See everyone tomorrow at Ardmore.
Meet 12 noon for set up, briefing 12.50 and immediate race start.
Russell
