The day started off looking lovely – the wind was there, the water was pristine. Everything looked promising. And then when the flags dropped, and the wind decided that it had had enough, and said a big firm SEEYALATER! and disappeared.

In a dying breeze we slowly made our way to the top mark. And all the while we looked at Colin and Myrtle on their Hobie Kayak and swore under our breath – how dare they have pedal power to assist them? Look at them, cutting their way through the water without sweating bullets. Those fancy people with their la-di-da boats…

Once we made it to the top mark (78 tacks and an overlay the size of the MCG later), we discovered something else – they may have been just a *touch* of tide running against us. I’m not saying it was pumping, but I definitely saw white water coming from that mark. So yes, perhaps there was something that held us back, just a little.

After a restorative lunch, some of us opted instead for a swim, and this evidently proved to be the correct choice. The wind totally departed and the OPSM Sprint Cup was abandoned. Sadly, there was no wind to see, whether or not you needed glasses. I have included some photos of the day to this email so you can see the mirror of water we were on. Geoff Fiske did his best impression of having a nap, while Mark Purcell looks like he’s on a winner. His sister Mia, meanwhile, appears to be banishing her parents to the pointy end of the boat while she steers. And Kyle? Well, I’m not sure what Kyle is doing, but evidently this is the new way to steer a Contender.

Oh, and welcome to the water Matt Hakopian on his boat, the Natasha Lee. Matt completed our junior sailing recently and has finally had the right day to get out there and see if it floats. In a positive report for the weekend, achievement unlocked – first day out!

So where does this leave us for this coming weekend?
Well, it’s the last race of the 2024 season – an aggregate. We have an 11am start, and fingers crossed the weather plays ball (even if it doesn’t, barring an F5 cyclone I’ll be out there!). But more importantly, new member Richard Aspinall will be bringing down his new toy – having just bought himself a Taipan 4.9, he’ll be in the hot seat against Ben Prior. Having another boat of the same class always pushes you, so have fun!

Speaking of it being the last race of the season, it would be amazing to see ALL boats back out there, one final time. At the moment the forecast is for 25degrees and a nice breeze, so once again I set the challenge – if every boat is out there for the final race, then the Milky Bars are on me (since the bar will be closed until 4pm). So get out there and enjoy this final time around the sticks!

Email

info.rosebudyachtclub@gmail.com