Now thats better...

I am moved to muse, after the Saturday – a gift from the “Goddess of Wind” the last Saturday of the spring series. A gusty 5 was blowing “Black John” having brought the new “oversized” sail refused to use it. ! “We will use it when we need it!”. Antonis even loaded the spinnaker, at which point I went running to the OOD Mr. Chris Starling – (back home on the island) as soon as he raises that spinnaker the handicap must change…not that I’m a spoilsport or anything but if the new sail stays in the packet then…..

Anyway back to the racing, Andreas – supremely confident with his “heavyweight” crew Marios , looked across the preparation area at “Ora Kali” and the fatboys. I’m sure Demetra would not be impressed with this false air of confidence. It’s OK Andreas, we all understand who is the “power behind the throne”! The fatboys had their customary awkward moment remembering how to rig the boat, but all the time uttering the mantra – “please let the wind not drop!” Even having the time to rig a radial sail for the “Irish one” saying things like “ are you sure you wouldn’t prefer the 4.7 rig you have had a busy week” and “you have to be careful, just think of the headlines in the musings if you have to be rescued”. There are some people in this club who would not hesitate to take advantage of such things!!

So on the water, two races. Three 18’s, 1 Hobie 16 (Gerry and Diane) 1 15’ hobie (Michaelis and Mikis), Illias in his catsy and the Lone Laser radial piloted by Mr Grier. Bad start by everyone except Brian and Andreas and the race is on and for the first time the Fatboy has to get out on the wire – at last…what a rush - this is what it’s all abou!. A normal size course and the winner was round in just under 14 minutes – Andreas, don’t you just hate these people who are just good at everything. Even so, the Fatboy and Black John “enjoyed” their first real capsize. The “kilo” effect soon had us back in the race and finishing. Gerry and Diane proving to be a real nuisance by beating the intrepid “Ora Kali” into 3rd place but the smiles were spreading across faces at the same speed as the lactic acid in overused untrained muscles if only this would be the same every week…..

Suffice it to say that Andreas stamped his authority all over the second race of the afternoon and with it the Spring series. Antonis and his new crew Sotos turning the afternoon into a training one.. Ora Kali and her crew narrowly missing losing the mast were happy to get home in the minimum of pieces. Dry land, a beer and some great memories that will be saved for telling in a few years’ time – with a little exaggeration – of course…..