The first race back post-covid was a pursuit race (start times staggered according to handicap) with a Halloween themed Man Overboard drill included.
Each yacht was issued a pumpkin with a length of sisal line attached (highly visible and all biodegradable if not recovered) and instructed to listen out for the code word “Halloween, Halloween, Halloween” on channel 77; at which point the pumpkin must be thrown overboard and retrieved before continuing on the race….. the first yacht to retrieve their pumpkin and cross the finishing line would be the winner!
The weather forecasts were variable as always; BoM’s prediction of a Southerly change with 30 knot gusts had many apprehensive, but that’s just the sort of conditions when a crew member may go over the side…. As it happened the change passed through before dawn.
There was a fantastic turnout with eleven yachts turning up on a blustery morning, Crosswind retired early due to pre-existing crew injury, leaving ten yachts to battle it out. The lines of grey cloud prompted many to reef, but most were shaken out by the first downwind leg as conditions moderated and the wind holes started to develop in the corner.
Fire and Ice set off at a cracking pace, holding the lead with Wolf in second for most of the first lap, before Legaleze snuck down the inside wing-on-wing. Aphrodite had a great run up the beach, taking the lead as we all rounded the start buoy for lap two.
“Halloween” was called as the leaders approached the Conniston buoy at the end of the second upwind leg, with the bigger chase boats up around the lighthouse headland. Pumpkins were duly jettisoned overboard and the RaceQs footage at this point looks hysterical!
Wolf missed the radio call and completed their pumpkin overboard drill whilst rounding the Conniston buoy. Legaleze had an unexpected surprise when the main sheet came away from the boom as we approached the buoy. Good teamwork and a hasty bowline saw us back on our way but unable to get close to Aphrodite who took out the win ahead of Legaleze and Wolf; with Merlot just missing out on a podium finish. The final leg was a close battle in the middle of the pack between Felix, Fire & Ice, Leo and Serifa; Big Blue sailing short-handed (and out of breath) got in the groove to pass Origami who finished with all of their boat-hooks as well as their pumpkin!
It was fantastic to see Felix (the cat) out on the water and honourable mentions go to Serifa and Leo who were both competing in their first race with WYC. Mark on Serifa put in a commendable performance to finish mid-pack even though he was sailing single-handed.
Overall a great time was had by all and an important safety procedure was practised along the way; with all yachts reporting that their pumpkin was safely retrieved from the briny - although their was an unverified report of a mystery pumpkin floating free towards city beach….???
It was also Trim’s first club race weekend operating on the electric inboard. She performed flawlessly and it was a pleasure to be able to chat without yelling over the engine and the rattling locker catches!
