07-02-2008

 Auckland Anniversary Regatta

 Auckland Anniversary Regatta yesterday and after a slowish start things turned out well and a great sail was had by all. 

            6 boats made the start line.  Marksman, Mach One, Mahina, Motivator, Masquerade and Manaia II.  Things obviously got the better of Mirage and they never made it out of Hobby;  hopefully this weekend.

            First surprise of the day was seeing Musho and Bushy standing around staring at the upright mast of Marquita.  She was ready to go.  Everything was placed in order, scrutinised to ensure maximum performance, and race readied ….then they headed off  to a local vineyard to celebrate their collective achievements.  Outstanding effort lads.  Maybe they’ll get her on the water next weekend!

Being the first race of the new year the sailing secretary was asked if he thought a briefing was in order however he declined the invite as ‘everyone new what was going on and anyway they had a piece of paper’.

As the boats approached the start line, amid the FF15s, skiffs, performance cats and collected others, Masquerade spotted a hole at the pin end of a strangely uncluttered area of start line, hardened up and made her move toward the West.  As the mass of colour illuminated the area around the start boat and the cracking of spinnaker sheets filled the air, the close hauled M6 put considerable distance between herself and the Eastbound fleet. 

On realising that he might have been parcel to M6s error the sailing sec then turned Motivator toward the East and followed the fleet around the course.  Too late for Neale – he met us at the top mark a fair bit later.

The start was a bit congested with M46 over the line and having to return while Marksman got away well and led around Bastion and then on the wind toward Resolution.  Mahina followed with Mach One recovering and chasing hard uphill followed by Manaia II and Motivator.

Upwind was a struggle for M9 with plenty of water aboard after several weeks on the black tarmac in the summer sun doing her flow characteristics no good.  M46 went passed like a rocket in the light winds and was never threatened as she led around Resolution, the Viaduct buoy, Bayswater, Westhaven, then home.  A good tussle downhill between M9 and M4 saw M9 take 2^nd place with Mahina 3^rd, Manaia II 4^th and Motivator 5^th.  Masquerade comfortably won her division.

It was a good day as the wind filled in and a good social aspect later on in the club.

Next week we race with the RNZYS in a points race from Orakei, 1300hrs start.

Rumour has it that “the Pan’ M2 will be on the ramp and hopefully the start line for her first race of the year.  With Matara back, and possibly Mirage, Maverick and  Marquita we look forward to a good turnout for the points series.