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15 July 2005
Today dawned with trepidations of no wind as when we left the Hotel the land breeze was still blowing a fair 4 knots. The launch from the shore was on time as promised by the Race Officer at the Coaches' meeting. They warned that they would start on time. It was obvious that they wanted to catch up the first day's missed races. It was also not as hot as yesterday. Today the race committee managed to sail another 3 races. We have 6 races completed so far, so the championship is safe. The wind was very unstable today. Especially in the second race. Westerly at the beginning, shifted to north and back to west again during the second race. It was a tough decision for the race officer whether to let the fleets finish the race or abandon and restart it. They decided to keep it going and it was the right call. According to Giorgio Lauro, the Chairman of the Jury, the wind shift during the second race caused lots of mess but did not affect the finishing order. Few sailors were really disappointed with the race committee's decision but in the end it was a fair race. Both first and third race of the day were sailed in good conditions, with wind strength up to 14 knots We got out and the Team did their usual pacing, split tacks and check for line bias & took their line sights all in good time. Neil & Ian were first away with the wind still coming off the shore (land breeze) which was now marginally 5-7knots. Unfortunately they lucked out on direction and timing having started at the Committee boat end just when a shift gave a serious advantage to the pin. Neil stayed somewhat out of sync while Ian opted to bite the bullet & cross. Leo's start was more considered possibly with the advantage of watching the first flight go. Lejan had a cracker start but was generalled! On her next attempt she got dirty but was blocked by starboard tackers and only painfully late, was she able to tack & duck. All finished mediocre. Worse was to come; the wind absolutely died in the middle of the course for the next race (race 5) those who found themselves on the left reached in to the windward mark and then had to beat to the wing! The RO according to the SI's can't move a mark and also all four flights have to complete the course for the race to count - being short of races I was glad not to be in the RO's dilemma. I think the 2nd girls start had it better than the others but still had a soldiers course for the last beat. We also did 2 x 720's and at least stayed upright! I think one 720 should have been done by the opposition but better safe than sorry. Race 6 was characterised by a very lumpy sea and the wind had swung to where it should have been (NW). We started late ~16h00 as this was the RO's second reset of the course. RSA got away cleanly in 14knots and produced some of their better results. Tonight we are all invited to an open air supper on the hotel balcony (and it looks like a braai!) followed by a disco for the sailors. The troops are weary and I don't see them hanging out for long!
Unofficial Results: Boys 139 Girls 93 One discard Rob Walker
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