Racing on Saturday took crews on a fast and exciting ride around Grafton’s magnificent Susan Island. It was the inaugural running of a new event on the Club’s calendar – the Secretary Island Series. Sponsored by the Club’s secretary Bob Fish, the series consists of two races – each around one of the city’s stunning river islands. This week was Susan Island and will be followed by Elizabeth Island in December.
A gusty north easterly tested crews with relentless and brutal wind shifts. Short, powerful gusts (‘bullets’) pounded the fleet as it worked its way around the island and total focus was essential stay upright and out of trouble. Some of the stronger gusts were estimated at 18 knots. With most boats completing the return passage on a single tack, some very quick times were posted.
In the catamaran division a tight contest between Hobie 18 crews Lindsay Cowan / Tansie Higgins and Luke Denham / Tom Welham had a spectacular finish. Locked together on the outward leg, Lindsay and Tansie gradually gained the advantage on the return leg and built a comfortable lead. With the finish only minutes away victory seemed almost assured. However simple navigation error forced them to backtrack briefly to the previous mark. Seizing the opportunity and taking advantage of a perfectly timed gust, Luke and Tom shot past their opponents and crossed the line with just seconds to spare. Some top sailing on display keeping these power rigs under control in very in very challenging conditions.
The monohull division saw a three-way contest between Laser skippers Neil Burgess, Deb Parkin and Peter Zietsch. Neil got away to a great start and despite several spirited challenges held off all rivals until the finish. Peter Zietsch claimed second place after making up considerable ground in the closing stages and conceding only 22 seconds at the line. On her first outing back in Lasers after a long break Deb sailed exceptionally well and may well have challenged the leaders if an unfavourable shift hadn’t forced a costly tack mid-way through the return leg.
See the website for full results.
A big thanks to event volunteers. Race official: Bob Fish. Rescue boat and photos: Dan Parkin.
Sailing is on again next Saturday (21st October) with heat #2 of the Club Pointscore Series.
Visitors or anyone wanting to have a go at sailing are most welcome to Call 0432 737 453 so we can find a spot on a boat for you. Start time is around 1pm on Saturdays.
More details on our website. https://crsc.yachting.org.au
Peter Zietsch