MHYC Winter Series - Dark and dreary conditions for Race 5

by Alana Whitting on 5 Jun 2012 Conditions for race five of the Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) Sydney City Marine Winter Series lacked the winds of last weeks race, so much so they appeared to have disappeared entirely at times, leading to a shortened course decision made midway through the race.

With dark skies and plenty of rain predicted the fleet set out for the fifth race of the Sydney City Marine Winter Series on Saturday marking the half way point of this series.

It wasn’t long before the rain arrived and the little wind that had been present departed leaving competitors on an initially indicated full course to catch the few breaths of breeze that they could.

A slow race was highlighted with some outstanding efforts from Wailea who scored the triple; Line, IRC and PHS honours in Division 1 and Innamincka from Division 3 who were the second fastest yacht around the course in all divisions and beat a couple of Division 1 yachts home. Plus, our Junior Sailing Team on J24 Whisper who followed up a recent first in race three with a second this week.

There is no racing this long weekend with race six the next race of the series on Saturday 16 June 2012.

And a reminder to MHYC Members that Sydney City Marine, our Winter Series sponsor, offers an 8% discount on services at Sydney City Marine for annual maintenance services performed between Easter and 1 September and for antifouls during January (when booked during December). Excludes any sub-contractor work.

For series results click here.

This ten race Saturday series runs through to Saturday 14 July 2012 and offers two drops to series entrants. There will be no racing over the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend (9, 10 & 11 June).

Weekly place-getters will be rewarded with a great range of gear from Sydney City Marine, with the Sydney City Marine Perpetual Trophy for the overall divisional winners.

Racing is on the ‘Sound of Sydney Harbour’, with a First Warning Signal at 1200 hours. Course lengths are specifically tailored to wind strength. The series offers IRC and PHS results and divisions are determined to ensure competitive racing delivered to all competitors.

Divisions:
Division 1 – IRC and PHS Spinnaker
Division 2 - PHS Spinnaker
Division 3 - PHS Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker/Cruising

Contact the MHYC Sailing Office for further details, Notice of Race and Entry Forms on 9969 1244 or sailing-admin(at)mhyc.com.au or visit the MHYC website.

Week Five Race Report - from our on water race reporter, Phil Clinton:
Hughie, as predicted in the last report, decided we should have the alternate winter race. So with BOM predicting 80% chance of rain and the forecast winds were 'Light under 10 knots' what sort of a forecast was that?

So Saturday arrived and as the morning progressed the dark clouds came in from the South East. And darker they got. We set out to the sound to find ourselves in an area of no rain but a lot of rain from the South. One of the crew suggested that we could sail W/L course between Manly and North Head as the rain was only to about Rose Bay.

But the PRO decided that it was to be a full course. As they set up the start the rain arrived. As did some wind. But as the start time approached the rain stayed but the wind got lighter.

Division #1 was first off and sailed from the start to Lady Bay, then a shy kite to the inflatable at Grotto Point. Division #2 followed but seemed to have a bit of trouble with very shy kites towards Grotto. And finally the Division #3 yachts got underway.

The Division #1 yachts seemed to make it into Manly without too many problems, Division #2 yachts parked at and around the Bombora marks. The Division #3 yachts closed in on the Division #2 parking lot. There were multiple roosters becoming feather dusters as yachts all took various flyers on the zephyrs that appeared and just as suddenly disappeared. Frustration levels were on the increase.

Most yachts seemed to struggle around the Manly marks and drift towards the Cannae Mark. The entire combined fleets now congregated between Cannae Point and the Southern tip of North Head. There we all sat except for Wailea who decided to visit New Zealand. On the far right side of the fleet 2Xcess picked up a slight breeze that enabled her to sail around the fleet. The Hugh George was spotted on station at Lady Bay so it was a shortened course.

Wailea noting that they did not have sufficient provisions to make New Zealand were seen sneaking around the edge of South Head to score the triple; Line, IRC and PHS honours. 2Xcess having sailed around the fleet was the second yacht home. The breeze finally filled in for the rest of the fleet allowing them to get home.

What a difference a week makes. There were some very disappointed sail makers after the busy week that had just had.

To the results:

Division #1
IRC
Wailea
Stormaway
MRZ

PHS
Wailea
Stormaway
MRZ

Division #2 PHS
Lunchcutter II
No Friends
Precision

Division #3 PHS
Innamincka
Whisper
Twitcher

Innamincka sailed two up, set kites, were the second fastest yacht around the course in all divisions and beat a couple of Division #1 yachts home.

Whisper is the J24 yacht being raced by our Junior sailors.

Next weekend is the June long weekend so there is no racing.

Race six is 16 June. So let’s hope Hughie can moderate his moods.

Sydney City Marine: We understand how important the quality of our workmanship and the care we take is to you.
As an owner you would always expect a very high standard of maintenance and repair for your yacht. Reliability is a crucial factor for your enjoyment, your safety, and your competiveness on the race circuit.

At Sydney City Marine we focus on quality control and attention to detail to maintain the highest standard of customer care. We also understand that time spent without your yacht can have repercussions. If necessary we can carry out repairs and maintenance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No other Sydney boat yard has this zoning or capacity.

We service the full range of yachts from your family cruiser, to racing maxis and offer a complete range of marine services:
¦Antifouling
¦Yacht painting
¦Yacht repairs
¦Yacht maintenance
¦Yacht detailing
¦Yacht restoration
¦Engineering
¦Rigging
¦Shipwrights
¦Slipway
¦Hard stand
¦Deck restoration
¦Hull Sydney City Marine website Middle Harbour Yact Club website