Hanuman start strong on brisk Saint Barth's Bucket Opening Day
by J Class Association 18 Mar 2022 08:26 PDT
18-20 March 2022
The fleet race downwind on the opening day of the St Barth's Bucket © J Class Association
Racing in perfect 16-22kts trade winds, the J Class teams on Thursday enjoyed a sharp reminder of how tough and physically close fleet racing is aboard these historic, beautiful yachts after a two year layoff.
While it was a massively enjoyable day of close competition as Hanuman, Ranger and Velsheda opened the popular Saint Barth's Bucket regatta with two windward leeward contests, none of the crews escaped unscathed, all suffering some kind of misadventure or breakdown. Most unfortunate was Ranger - which proved competitive off the bat throughout the course of the crew's first race together and the new owner's first every proper yacht race - but which suffered a mechanical failure to a primary winch which required them to retire after starting the second race. But both Velsheda and Hanuman had their own respective sail handling issues entirely commensurate with a first race of the season in muscular trade winds.
Hanuman started best on the first windward leeward contest, getting off the line smartly at the pin end, with tactician Kenny Read, helm Gavin Brady and navigator Stan Honey combining to ensure they were closest to the line and going fast enough to step away from Velsheda and Ranger. Hanuman led around the top with Velsheda close behind and Ranger about 30 seconds further back. Velsheda closed in to leader Hanuman on the downwind all the time trying to protect their kite which had a small rip on the port tape. But after they gybed, it split in half allowing Ranger to close up.
Hanuman rounded the left gate mark 30 seconds ahead of Velsheda with Ranger about a minute behind the leader. The leaders remained unchallenged to the finish gun and Hanuman scored first blood of the season.
After a delay to allow Ranger to try and make repairs to their failed primary winch drive shaft, Hanuman got the better of Velsheda off the start line and was able to hold their rival out to tack above the port tack lay line. Velsheda again showed her downwind speed and was able to roll down to Hanuman on the run, but as they approached the leeward gate Hanuman's kite went in the water. At the same time, they were penalised for taking Velsheda past their proper course. The combination of the sail in the water and a corresponding messy execution of their penalty left Velsheda to go on and win the second race, crossing over three minutes clear of Hanuman.
"Holy mackerel, welcome back to J Class racing!" exclaimed Hanuman's Read with a broad smile, "Everybody knows how hard these things but that was a reminder these are bloody hard work. I think everyone had their moments of glory today and all had moments they would like to get back but all in all it was great to have three boats out on the start line and racing. I think there are growing pains with the scoring system. We think we had a one, two based on common sense and we will take that any day of the week for a boat that has not raced for so long and a crew that hasn't raced this thing in anger in a long time. It is as breathtaking as we all remember."
Read went on to recall, "We made a little mistake at the bottom mark. We got a little wrapped up in match race world. We have been racing these boats boat-on-boat for a long time but we have to remember there are big time differences (on handicap) and so we have to not get too involved in the battle. And a word for the crew today, the physical exertion never stops between races it is hard work setting up for the next one they pack the chutes, change jibs - it is hard, hard work. I am proud of the crew and the owners had a blast, they loved it today."
Ranger's Moray Gray confirmed the new crew and the owner were disappointed with their breakdown they hope to have a temporary solution sorted for Day 2 but they were pleased to have been in the match and proven themselves quick and competitive.
Gray said, "We had pretty spectacular conditions, up to 23kts. We were a little late on the start. We had this issue with the pinion shaft on our starboard primary down the first run. We managed to get downwind and back up the second beat a little bit compromised and we managed to finish. But we did not really make the second race. For our first race with the new team and the new owner we are super stoked to be in the mix, we are really encouraged."
Velsheda's strategist Andy Beadsworth reported, "It was a mixed bag. We take the win and enjoy it. There were some phenomenally exciting moments racing Hanuman like on small boats but the first start we were always on the back foot. We were out of place at the warning signal and that put us off, but on the second start we got a piece of Hanuman but then kind of let them off the hook with a little too much separation. But it was a mixed day. The boat is going well, and the crew were tested and responded well."
Racing resumes today, Friday 18 March until Sunday 20 March.
Day 1 Results:
Race 1
1 Hanuman elapsed 57mins 03 secs, corrected 55mins 47secs
2 Ranger 58mins 06secs. 56mins 06secs
3 Velsheda 58mins 03secs 57mins 31secs
Race 2
1 Velsheda elapsed 1hr 01min 55secs, corrected 1hr 01min 19sec
2 Hanuman 1hr 04 mins 52 secs, 1hrs 03mins 30secs
3 Ranger RTD
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