35th 125 Nationals from the Rear Guard

by James Robinson on 6 Jan 2012 The 35th 125 Nationals were hosted by the McCrae Yacht Club, Victoria.

With sails expertly measured, boats settled into 125 Park; sailors and their supporters partook of the sumptuous Welcome BBQ cooked by the Victorian junior sailors. It was a merry group who chatted on well into the evening.

We welcomed the Victorian 125 contingent and Joel, his crew Tom, his parents Steve and Alison and his sister Chloe who crossed the Nullarbor to represent WA.

The Invitation Race gave us all an opportunity to experience the interesting and variable winds off McCrae Beach. Some furious bullets shot through the fleet knocking everyone over at one stage or other and causing the Rear Guard to score their first DNF. It was indeed a testing shake down for crews and boats alike with plenty of near dunkings and precarious spinnaker moments. Blackbeard sacrificed her Carbon Fibre tiller extension to noble experience. Maybe James should have stuck to the ancient but proven technology of ... conduit $1! We also learnt that the START was a LONG WAY off shore and so we have to leave the beach EARLY!

Race 1 began in relatively light winds at the Dromana End. The Rear Guard were fascinated by the forward hands expertly stretching out on trapeze, then bending in, stretching out, tea bagging and then lurching in; more ins and outs than the recently completed India/ Australia cricket match. This long course race also had its fair share of bullets causing the Rear Guard to score their second DNF. Blackbeard, Dragonfly and Kuno (WA) showed early promise. Beyond Expectation, Strange Magic, Inertia and Strange Brew proved that they weren't to be taken for granted. Black Pearl, Wind Seeker, Cruisin and Imperial took on an interesting tussle at the other end.
Race 2 started at the Rosebud end where we had close-ish encounters with the oceangoing big guys, being up close and personal with the Spirit of Tasmania is a daunting experience for those of us who aren't used to BIG boats! BUT more testing to the 125 sailors were the contentious Contenders who kept finding themselves OCS for two starts! They then got the Black Flag treatment. Some 125 foredeck hands were noticeably dozing in the midday heat. We 125ers showed the Contenders how to make a clean start. Unfortunately the wind almost immediately did a 180 degree turn. That was a surprise! So back to starting orders and a reset course. More sailing in circles awaiting the Contenders to restart the restart of the reset course!

The now impatient and exasperated 125 fleet had a clean start and all were now a wake up to those sneaky bullets so there was some good racing, some great spinnaker work and outstanding tactical manoeuvres. Blackbeard, Dragonfly, Kuno, Beyond Expectation, Inertia and Strange Magic all in the tussle for the top placings. Meanwhile the Rear Guard celebrated their first finish.

Starting race 3 was a much quicker process but as it was getting late in the day one 125 skipper was heard to ask if the Rear Guard were carrying night navigation lights. We decided that it was enough for the foredeck hand to yell, 'Red, red, red!' and the skipper to yell, 'Green, green, green!' Future NEC discussion may centre on night navigation! (Oh you cheeky Vics!)

This race was not immune to its fair share of bullets which resulted in two junior yachties capsizing and being beaten to the finish line by their parents! Our yachting pleasure was enhanced because we could review our race using the yacht tracking devices kindly loaned to us by McCrae Yacht Club.

Our special guest Trivia Night Host was Anne; a well known Chelsea Yacht Club member and former 125 er. She waited patiently as the hungry sailors and their supporters devoured the delicious pizzas procured by Jim and Joan. Once our tummies were full we got on with the important procedures of identifying the logos, famous faces, solving rebus puzzles and answering deep and searching questions. By far the highlight of the night was the tower building. Using only masking tape, 20 pages of the Herald Sun and sheer brilliance each team aimed to construct the tallest free standing tower. Several reached from floor to ceiling but wouldn't hold up to scrutiny, collapsing when their engineers let go. The strange conical structure developed by the Ratbags team stood the test, freestanding long enough to be declared the winner. Mind you Strange Brew's skipper had an uncanny skill at beating the odds in three games of chance.

Race 4 again staged at the Dromana end started in light winds which almost sustained us through the first short race. The spinnakers were limp but propelled the yachts to the end of a shortened course. The line of 125s on the reaches is a sight to behold as the colourful puffy spinnakers broke out. This race certainly showed off the skills of the light weather sailors who gave the reigning top end sailors a bit of a scare!

Race 5 was abandoned because the wind got all puffed out and refused to blow us along. The Rear Guard found themselves in the unfamiliar place of being just behind Blackbeard's transom. Now was that due to our skill in the light winds or the Mylar mainsail? Sadly for us that cheeky code flag 'N' popped our egos but we gratefully headed for home.... and the wind blew again!

We saw in the New Year at the Yacht Club. The music provided by Munster Terrace who had an outstanding repertoire of songs from the 70's and 80's. We were soon all dancing under the stars on this balmy night interrupted by preliminary fireworks displays dotted around Port Phillip Bay. The parents were far more accomplished dancers than their off spring who thought their moves were hilarious. The band lead the countdown and after much hugging and kissing everyone rushed to get a better vantage point to see the official fireworks displays. Away over the horizon the Melbourne display could be seen although somewhat miniaturised by the distance.

Thank goodness for lay days because many a sore head emerged at about midday, luncheon being taken at, oh- about 5pm; if at all!

After the well appreciated recovery day our bodies were refreshed and ready for race 6. With more space available for rigging now that the Contenders had finished their competition, the 125s spread out. As it was a light wind day president James introduced the booby prize ball. After landing in several boats, it stayed in Inertia for the first race and it was duely pitched from boat to boat before being lost at sea. Our efficient rescue crew recovered the bobbing booby ball from certain overseas travel!

By the way the race was contested in variable but decreasing winds. The course was shortened after having tested the light weather skills of the crews, some of whom excelled whilst others found it plain frustrating! This was a shortened course and race 7 commenced straight away. Much to the chagrin of one very experienced crew, the tide pushed as much as the wind did and pushed them right onto the pin at the end of the start line. They added a circle to their starting routine. The race committee surprised us all by starting another race to make up for the abandoned one. So there were some very tired, hungry and thirsty sailors who proceeded to make silly mistakes but a result was declared and we all sailed for shore. The race standings have Blackbeard, Kuno and Dragonfly in the top three placings; a Mk2, a Mad Cow and the famous Mac-Fast-Lane wooden boat. Mid fleet are Strange Magic, Inertia, Strange Brew, Beyond Expectations. Black Pearl, Cruisin', Imperial and Wind Seeker fighting it out for the mini minor placings.

The afternoon was a typically Port Phillip hot day drifter so the race was abandoned. Some of the kids had a good time biscuiting while others rested, repaired and recovered.

Race 8 began considerably early but it was just as well because the wind sustained the fleet through to a shortened course finish. No real surprises in the results department. Once again the hapless booby ball was tossed from boat to boat until it settled for the last time in Wind Seeker.... they get the booby prize!!!

And so to the last race of the series. The Rear Guard were in deep discussion with one of the fore- runners about their unique starting routines when there was a resounding crunch. Black Pearl's mainsheet stretched out across the water being attached to the bow of our mentor and ex-captain... an odd moment indeed.

Race 9 began in pleasant winds and the colourful spinnakers once again fully blossomed on the down- wind legs. Then the wind gathered even more speed and tested the talents of the now weary crews, several spinnaker moments were observed and all but one or two were saved causing Black Pearl to retire hurt... aw poor Pearl! The WA boys were once again in their element and purred along into first place. The stronger winds also suited Strange Magic who featured in the placings today. The Rear Guard decided it was time to meet the dreaded water cannon, which made Black Pearl's cannon look a bit puny! Strange Magic's skipper got a shot in the chest but because the wind freshened, no one else got the benefit of the cooling blast... until after the race. Sue copped a squirt just as the final packing up was begun. Without our knowledge, Stuart commandeered the said water cannon, giving Debbie a decent shot of water by way of revenge for her past drenchings! The juniors gathered for one of their group discussions which included wrestling, chasing, teasing and reminiscing about all their mishaps and great feats. A fabulous group of young people with great sailing futures ahead of them.

The Rear Guard are signing off now as we all pack and stow, preparing for the way back home after a highly anticipated presentation night. Thank you to the 125 Association Victorian Division for their great effort in bringing this regatta to fruition. The event was great fun and tested the skills of crews in all types of weather and sea conditions. Whilst we are thanking people....nuffin's as good as muffins from Leroy's Mum. Special thanks must go to the wonderful people of McCrae Yacht Club who volunteered their time in so many ways to keep us competing fairly, safe on the water, well fed and cared for on land. The club facilities are fabulous. All of the 125 sailors and supporters much appreciated your warm welcome. Everyone, without exception had a wonderful time and regardless of their placing, can say they had a satisfying competition in spite of the weather!

Good sailing all and remember; the Rear Guard are watching you!

Results at McCrae Yacht Club website