Play Nicely

by John Curnow on 12 Sep 2016 It has been really (read really, really, really) good to get some consistent racing done once more. Nothing takes one’s mind off everything else with anywhere near the same sort of aplomb. Explaining how four hours of joy from deep concentration on wind, tide, trim, and your competition to non-sailors, often just leaves them with a glaze over the face.

It is hard for them to garner that you go out there to not say much to anyone, except for things like wave, puff, go with the #3, stuff it – put up the big one, easing to you, trim, and hold. Yes. A quiet boat is only surpassed by racing on a quiet AND non-smoking boat. Talk about joy of joys... Still, to those in the know, getting up early to go for a yacht is always a highlight of the week.

The zenith may well be that first frosty on the way back in. Not even the sight of six rags jammed in down below, all of which needing meticulous packing, or a bunch of strings ‘spaghettied’ around the cockpit is enough to perturb you. Just grab that second mouthful and shake hands with your fellow crewmembers. Job well done, especially if you bring her home the same way you took her out! If not, blame the Nigel for gear failure and the person with their hands on the helm or sheet when it all went down the mine…

So it was during that time for reflection, as the iron topsail did its going for the best in the world VMG thing, that had me pulling together recent memories of people who did, and then quite vividly, some who did not play nicely.

The first instance was whilst racing to fixed marks. Having barrelled down smartly to the bottom mark, gaining valuable metres over the opposition in the process, and with just two far bigger vessels in front of us, we performed a good drop and gybe. This meant we were off with sprung sheets to the next mark.

Now the boat that was immediately behind us was about the same size, but with more volume behind the stick and less displacement, so on a reach they were always going to be able to have pace. It took them a while, but they eventually got through us.

Yet here’s the thing. They took both of us higher than the mark and by the time they were rejoicing how they had got through, they had to bear away somewhat to get past the mark to starboard. Silly stuff. We had bad air for only two minutes before we too rounded, and then cranked on to beat to the next mark. In no time at all we had despatched them to our wake and kept on going, watching them fall back to our nearest competition.

For sure it had motivated our crew to hike even harder, but the thing is, none of it needed to happen at all, for they were not even in our division! Maybe the next time you’re in a place where it is not directly impacting on your race, you will play nicely and not take someone up unnecessarily or wave them through. Just saying…

The second instance refers to a very, very light day some time ago now. We had managed to get the kite full in the two knots that was on offer and were actually making our own breeze in the end. Line Honours beckoned. Just the one vessel was in front and they were coming straight at us. You would think they would wave us through, for holding the kite was key to anyone finishing this race.

No. They came and dumped right on top of us, and as they had a bigger rig the result was never in doubt. Still we once again got the bag full and made our way to the gun, then wondered why they had bothered, for they too were not in our division.

The lesson is don’t dump in those situations, for just on the weekend the ultimate ignominy befell them as they sat there totally turned turtle! Thankfully no one was injured or harmed. So you see, there is the old rule with the Karma bus. You cannot sell the tickets for it, nor write the timetable, let alone actually be the driver. You just have to be around long enough!

OK. This week we are delivering you news on the Paralympics, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, America’s Cup World Series, Vendée Globe, 16-Footers, the Clippers, some great videos from B&G with Knut Frostad, Foiling Week heads to the US, and the Etchells World Championship, along with so much more.

It has been a truly great effort by all 10 Aussie crews in attendance at Cowes for the Etchells. Chris Hampton, Sam Haines and Mark Andrews were early mentions, and then Noel Drennan, with Brits Brian Hammersley and Andrew Mills on board, were more than dark horses. Shoulda Gone Left, Wayne (which is crewed by Peter Coleman, Iain Gartley and Glenn Fergusson) would have easily won the maximising your time there prize.

John Bertrand had Ben Lamb and Paul Blowers on board his new hull, Triad 2. Bertrand collects his second Etchells World Championship to back up the one from 2010 with Tom Slingsby and Andrew Palfrey. JB said of it all, “Tough roller coaster regatta.” Indeed it was after they discarded a 22nd to only then have to take it back and make way for a 34th.

Whilst talking Etchells, remember the season opener for this ever-popular class is the Etchells Queensland State Championship on October 1 to 3 inclusive. Should be a good hit out, as always.

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