We were joined this morning by several members of Manly Yacht Club who helped us in our quest for the ‘most boats of any class entered in the Women’s Challenge’
It was good to see everyone concentrating on getting their own boats rigged and prepared for the race, then launch them from the pontoon, with several debates about whether to take them furled, partly furled or with a full sail, as the southerly breeze was quite strong at that time. However, by the time we got over to the start line, the breeze had dropped, so everyone had removed the furl.
Look at the MYC website for a full set of pictures. Here are a couple to whet your appetite.
Eli and Sally were in Dolly Wallis, Jackie and Caroline in Woody, Cathy and Juliette in Alex, Pam and Samantha in ING, Barbara and Sarah in Vin, Katelyn and Bronte in Black Swan, Jayne and her daughter in Eli D.
It was an exciting race to watch, with several changes of position, and a few complicated manoeuvres trying to get to the lead, like missing a correct turn, and picking up a buoy and moving it out of the way. These tactics were punished roundly…like an unexpected 360, but the boat concerned did not seem too concerned, not being aware of the mistakes until well after the fact.
The final places were:
1st. Caroline and Jackie, in Woody
2nd Samantha and Pam in ING
3rd Cathy and Juliette in Alex
And the other boats took the other positions, my lips are sealed.
The gruelling part of the race was followed by a less gruelling de-rig and put away, and then a most delicious lunch supplied by Caroline, with the presentation.
