TOPIC: Races 16 - 18 Results and some handicaps explained

Musings on a Mainsheet - 3/5


After a week of suffering from the effects of high fluidity in the stomach department and my local Pharmacist’s husband telling me “Its seasonal” plus an almost Gaelic shrug (which meant:- I am not interested in your excuses) we took to the water for races 16 – 18. The OOD had arrived in style and was officiating from “Iason” the wind was a rising 4. Ora Kali was equipped with the “Crisp packet” for tactical reasons, the fleet consisted of 2 Hobie 16’s, 1 Formula 18, 1 Hobie 18 and 4 Lasers.

Race 16 saw a spirited but tame start with the cats soon out in front enjoying the freshening breeze. The Crisp packet was providing its usual sound; the greater the rustle the faster it is…Andreas and Demetra had taken up first place but were keeping the spinnaker dry (more tactics?) The commodore was relying on handicaps. However the “Crisp packet indication” said otherwise Ora Kali taking 1st after the handicap, Andreas’s spinnaker still dry! The rising wind had brought a few casualties. Gerry sent his crew through the sail, Andreas lost the boom fitting on his mainsheet, Photis and Kostandinos suffered a capsize that prevented them finishing.

Race 17 saw a reduced fleet but the cats were even more intent on a good start, so much so that “Iason” had been moved a little further away from the start line. The racing between the cats was such that Photis overtook both the bigger cats at one stage, Andreas and Demetra however pulling away to cross the line first. One of the main aims of the crew of Ora Kali this afternoon was starting and tactics and when Photis and Kostandinos approached the finish on “Port” the opportunity was too hard to resist, the joyous shouts of “Starboard” could be heard in Fig Tree Bay and Ora Kali stole the finish!

Race 18 and Eric had had enough, leaving three cats and the indomitable Vassilis the surviving Laser. Again the race ran as before, with Andreas and Demetra crossing the line first, spinnaker still dry!! (We need to talk!) The Port Starboard finish between Photis and “Black John” almost an action replay. However Photis is obviously a quick learner and timed his tack taking second place by a second and the handicap only increasing his lead.

So an exciting day on Famagusta Bay, as I reflected on my throne (see the first paragraph). An OOD who arrives in his own committee boat, Cats competing for the start on the line, and competitive tacking on the finish line. Times are changing at the most Eastern sailing club on the Island!

The fatboy.


N.B.

Boat P/Y Corr. time/30min raced Adj/10min raced

Hobie 16 811 36:59 +2:20
F18 693 43:17 +4:25
H18 805 37:16 +2:26
Laser 1085 27:64 -1:12

Therefore for every 10 minutes raced the F18 has to beat the Laser by at least 5:37 to actually be in front! The F18 has to beat the H18 by 1:59, and the H16 by 2:06 for every 10 minutes raced. So in conclusion the spinnakers cannot stay dry!