Melbourne Messenger No 4: Report for Race 6
By Secretary. Filed in News |
” Challenging, yes very challenging are the words to describe the conditions and wind for race six of the FF world Championships held at 14:15 on the 13th January in Melbourne. The wind direction was from the North for the first time in the event. In the south of Australia this means it is coming straight of the desert and boy could you tell. Locals describe it as sailing in front of a hair dryer; they are right! Not only that but the wind is coming off the land and therefore much more likely to be shifty - today was no exception with 30 degree shifts up the beats. This was a day of snakes and ladders!
We entered the race with Grant Alderson AUS3833 and Steve Goacher GBR3821 leading the championship score board on equal points, we ended it with Alderson still being the joint leader but the British challenge has been replaced with Barry Parkin GBR3911. The lead changed hands a number of times in this race with Alderson coming out on top. Mike Hart was second in GBR3917 and Charles Apthorp third in GBR3923, Barry Parkin was fifth in this race.
The lower placings changed dramatically during the last run of the course, when the sea breeze temporarily overcame the gradient northerly. This made the run a reach, fetch and beat at different parts of the leg, causing frequent lowering and re-raising of spinnakers! The last leg was shifted through 45 degrees with the finish line set towards the city. Alderson managed to hold on to the lead to the line despite the variability of the wind .
An interesting and challenging day in which those who won on the ladders have a slight feeling of lady luck being on their side whilst the crews who suffered the snakes were left feeling if sailing in these conditions is a true test. Whatever perspective the RO finished the race and it is a counter.
We go into the last race with a duel between Alderson and Barry Parkin the mostly likey decider for the overall event, however it’s sailing so you never know” Cheers Adrian
PS your president had a fairly good day with 15th. He can report that as a result of a sartorial change (loose fitting dry shorts replacing tighter fitting neoprene hiking shorts) he is sitting much more comfortably, especially when the breeze found its way up the leg of the shorts!!!