VS 15ft Skiff Nationals - Heats 1 to 4 sailed in great conditions

by Col Gillespie on 6 Jan 2011 VS 15 Ft Skiff National Championship.

Expectations for strong breeze were met with 20 -25 knots of prevailing SE day 1 settling on day 2 to 12 knots, for excellent VS planning conditions uphill & downhill. Incoming tide both days running across the course saw choppy conditions on top of a 0.5m wind wave pattern providing some surfing and requiring good gybing technique. Courses from the coin toss were 2 lap, upwind finish heat 1, downwind finish heat 2. Both heats 3 and 4 were downwind finishes. The K.I. Yacht Club welcome BBQ the night before with wonderful catering and a very friendly casual club had crews and supporters enthusiastic for the Regatta, a good strip of rigging grass area and great viewing from within the club over the white sand beach up the SE course.

Heat 1: Nine skiffs faced the starter. In very fresh condition they were away on starboard to the favouring side. Conditions promised thrill and spills with the downwind course set to a gate off the Club, spectators were assured of seeing the action.

Firestorm lead at the top mark from Runaway with their new Ullman main powered up & Ol’ Yella electing to carry small sails than the heavier crews. Runaway was first to 'turtle' as all skiffs elected to do one gybe to the bottom pins. The strong conditions saw three skiffs retire some with broken gear. Firestorm went on to first from a distant Ol’Yella second, Runaway third & a very well sailed Purple Headed Warrior fourth finding her form with new crew Peter Williams, Steve Ianna and young 14 year old Ryan Fokes having a big day out on Nepean Bay. Wobbygong from the Hawkesbury River Club posted a well earned seventh for veteran Brian Gleeson crewed by nephews , Daniel & Tim.

Heat 2: This race saw conditions increase to 25 knots from SE and rolling seas seven skiffs were away at the start. Two skiffs elected to not start, rudder damage on Hot Tuna and ADD123 with a lighter crew, the youngest forward hand Hughie Dodds weighing in around 55 kgs. On the first beat Ol’Yella crossed ahead of Firestorm to be pipped at the first mark by the scratch boat, Runaway rounding third and a close fleet went onto the downhill leg. Another single gybe saw Ol’ Yella first to 'fall' leaving Runaway in pursuit of Firestorm with Purple Headed Warrior (PHW) and Battleship in close company. Very testing conditions saw the retirement of four skiffs, rudders blades and sails damaged. Firestorm went on to win holding off a determined challenge from Runaway second and a distant Ol’Yella third.

Day 2 Races: Local prediction that the breeze would abate proved in as the sky cleared and 8 -12 knots ESE swinging to SE settled in. Two downwind finishes had had come off the coin toss. All skiffs repaired, three rudder blades, two sails, trapeze gear and some hull work. The local boat repairer was of great assistance with both sails and components.

Heat 3: Flat water and eight knot ESE at 2:30pm start had the full fleet away at the start. Signs of a swing in direction of the breeze to the prevailing SE were read well by ADD 123 and Battleship electing to go well out to the right early. Firestorm, Ol’ Yella & Runaway coming off the bottom of the start line went left and paid a heavy price. ADD 123 rounded the top mark with a terrific lead heading off on the downhill leg that had become a single tight reach. With powerful asymmetric kites this turned into an early drop, with a 2 sail reach to the gate marks. The breeze then freshened & settled in the SE. With the race now virtually 1 leg up wind and downwind tuning and sailing for maximum boat speed to chase the leading skiffs ADD 123, Battleship & PHW was well and truely on. The next top mark saw Firestorm first & Runaway third utilising their powerful Ullman Mains & experience to generate maximum speed uphill on the long starboard tack. Ol’ Yella continued to 'miss fire' with a capsize downwind remaining buried in the tail of the fleet. In the ideal conditions for VS’s, steady two trapeze mid range breeze Firestorm finished first from an improving PHW second, Runaway third.

Heat 4: After resetting of the course near perfect conditions were on for this heat. The line slightly favouring the starters boat end all skiff were away without incident. Firestorm lead at the top mark with O’l Yella in close company as they set off running hard downwind to the gates followed by Battleship, Runaway and PHW. On the next lap with the course slightly favouring the starboard side Firestorm and Ol’ Yella tuned their Ullman rigs for maximum drive into the short sea consolidating their postions up front. The finishing order after some excellent downhill runs was first Firestorm, second Ol’ Yella, Runaway third & fast finishing ADD123 fourth ahead of PHW fifth.

The series now has Firestorm installed on first, Ol’Yella & Runaway vying for second with PHW improving to put pressure on the leaders and ADD123 ready for an upset in lighter going. Good conditions predicted ahead with the crews enjoying a lay day, Wednesday 5th January as a 15 knot SE breeze settled in across the course.