Of Etchells, Flags, wind, wipe-outs and Winners!

by Bob Appleton on 13 Feb 2007 Most Etchell sailors call it 'Champagne' sailing at Metung and claim that Etchell's can sail in the unique sheltered waters of the Gippsland lakes.

However, the fleet of International Etchells, one design yachts who battled out the East Gippsland Championships over the weekend at the Metung Yacht Club found what the Metung Etchells' Fleet Captain, Fred Herbert called, 'atrocious weather'.

Friday's race started in 20 knot winds which developed into 28-29 knots with spinnakers blowing everywhere, so the day's programme was cut short. The winner of this race was Geelong's Mary Hanna aboard her Enigma.

In a catch up attempt, Races were started early on Saturday in 5 to 10 knot NW breezes but slowly died away before quietly trickling in from the SE forcing a shortening of course. Instead of a beat to the finish, it ended in a 'downhill' run. Boats and officials sat around for an hour or so as the wind direction gyrated around the compass, when a severe thunderstorm was seen to be approaching and again, racing was abandoned.

Sunday dawned with winds forecast at 20 to 30 knots and racing commenced in 20 knot winds. By the time the race finished it was gusting up to 30 knots again creating a lot of 'carnage' and - again - Geelong's Mary Hanna was the winner.

As the wind continued to blow harder and harder, all racing was then abandoned.

Despite all this, Geelong sailors and their boats conducted themselves with distinction (as is expected of them?) with the overall results showing Mary Hanna in first place, Jason Farnell and his Bananas in Pajamas was third and Rob Hanna, (despite tangling with the fleet!) in his mini Shogun was fourth! Well done Geelong!

Mary Hanna only in her second season showing the experience she gained in the strong winds at Fremantle the 2006 Audi Etchells Worlds has given her an edge over many of the locals.

On Corio Bay, sailing conditions were not much better, it certainly sorted out the wheat from the chaff when it came to handling a variety of racing conditions. Varying wind strengths from 15 easy knots to gusts of 30 plus lashing across the decks with scattered rain squalls and wind shifts thrown in for good measure.

Most skippers and crews handled the wind and rain in the required 'seamanlike' manner, but when a windshift forced the relocation of the windward mark, some yachts failed to hear the committee boat's warning horn or even see the flag Charlie signifying the large numerals displayed showing the new bearing.

These yachts promptly sailed an incorrect course! An efficient 'Bunting Tosser' or 'Sparker' (refer RAN) is essential on all yachts!

Understanding signals is quite simple. We all know the maxim, When all else fails, read the instructions!! And, it's true! It's all in your sailing instructions!

Simply put, Flag Charlie (C) worn singly by a committee vessel indicates a change of course. The committee vessel will, most times, display the new course bearing and on Saturday, it clearly showed 550. Be aware that flag Charlie is sometimes flown superior (above) a red or green flag. This means that the course is increased to include an initial short beat from the start line to a large inflatable buoy to windward and this mark is to be rounded to port or starboard as indicated by the red or green flag displayed.

This leads us to the Extra Legs. Why are those boats in front going around again? Didn't you see flag Echo flying under your class flag from the committee boat? Oh boy! No podium trip on presentation night for you! Flag Echo (E) when hoisted inferior (below) a class flag means that the designated course for that class, has one leeward and one windward leg extra.

Then of course, there's those club members who desire to 'be different'. Late last year, the skippers of Larriken (Mark 2) stated; 'The new Larriken is undergoing the process of continual improvement. New halyards, sheets, wiring, instruments and possibly the most important racing device….an 4 x 80 watt, ipod interface, 4-speaker output cd enabled remote controlled stereo!!'

(Note, at this stage, no mention of a depth sounder! Ed.) They continued with; 'You may have heard, if not seen, the boys on the race track doing their thing seeing if we can rattle a few of the boys in their bigger toys in Division 1'.

Who is rattling who, is not quite clear but it is a fact that larrikins usually get into DEEP water, however, on Saturday, Larriken was in VERY Shallow water leaving them floundering 'On-the-beach'! When approached for a statement, the reply was 'we only wanted to go to the beach and play in the sand' . 'My advice is to sell your boat and buy a bucket and spade but keep away from Point Impossible!!'

Results of Saturday's racing are as follows:

Miscellaneous OTB, Line honours and 1st. on handicap to Mach 5 (David Warren), handicap second to Bob (Susannah Gilham) & Mad Meg (Jim Knott) was third.

Cadets Red Div., Line honours to Tempest (Nikola Dixon) , 1st on handicap Midnight Magic (James Short), 2nd. Tempest, 3rd. Anaconda II (Addy Dunkley-Smith).

Cadets Blue Div. Line honours AND 1st on handicap, Skeeta (Callum Wilkinson), handicap second to Fear This (Will Kelly), Third to Xciten, (Will Baum (3 ft. 5?)

Division one on alpha course, five didn't finish (correctly) and one retired after finishing (RAF) leaving the gate open for The Bookmaker (John Garner) to take out line honours and first place on handicap. Spirit (Guyon Wilson) was second and Moulin Rouge (Len Kint) was third.

Division 2 had Coramandel II (Roger McLennan) line honours and third on handicap, Braveheart, (Jack Engwerda) second and the Collins family and Flying Circus were first!

In division three, it was Option (M Kanilowics) first home, Tingara (Bruce Wookey) second and Ray Goodwyn and his Lucky Lady was third over the line, but sailed more efficiently to take out the glass ware in first place!

Wednesday night sailing is a race where no extras are allowed. No spinnakers, no gennikers, no bloopers (Whatever happened to them?) BUT the norm; Main plus headsail. Quite straight forward, isn't it! But, what is 'An Extra'? Discussion point ONLY!

20 to 25 knots blew across the decks on Wednesday and it was Daryl Speakman who crossed the line first with his trusty crew on board Panache. Tony Weaver and

Barcarole was second and Bruce Wookey and Tingara was third. (Swab wanted, Andy) Division one boats had a tad further to travel and it was surfer Tony Fowler and Ocean Skins crossing first, Kym Murphy was second in Juno and Chance and Terry Reichel, hot on their heels into third spot.