Race Report from Eye Spy The crew reported early at HYC so that Eye Spy could get her bottom cleaned at Sharpies at 11.30 in order to be ready to race competitively at 1400. Two trips in the dinghy successfully filled the boat with loads of provisions to keep the crew of Greg, Mark, J K, Gill and skipper Trevor, well fed and "hydrated" for the serious racing ahead. Eye Spy's motor was running sweetly, after the temperamental efforts the previous outing. So quick charge up of the freezer, main up and a comfortable run down to Sharpies for a "free" scrub, lunch in the Marina and a few mending jobs up the mast, before lining up on the start line off Richmond Yacht Club with nine other yachts of all shapes and sizes. We were racing with the big boys, because our overall length was over 30 feet, which was great fun, as we had a good start and were right up with the leaders on the first leg downwind to Devonport. As it was a no extras race, we used the spinnaker pole to goose wing the No1 genoa, and gybed on every wind shift, and to cover the leading boats and pinch their wind! Greg, who was doing foredeck, tried every possible combination to change the pole from side to side, and at one point looked as though he was knitting a jersey with the up haul and downhaul. However no damage done and we kept the genoa filling and boat speed up. Rounding the leeward mark close to Devonport, we were in very close contact with both Young Entertainer and Devocean. The beat back to the ODM was exhilarating and we maintained our lead over Devocean, but lost out to Darcy on the Young 11. A couple more laps of down and upwind, saw us dodging a bungy jumper off the bridge, as well as close tacking with the Navy boat, and watching Prince Hal doing some fancy circles, to discover afterwards he was picking up a man overboard and not doing a penalty turn. Back at the marina berth and a quick bevy to slake the thirst before donning crew tee shirts in case we got lost at the club, we strolled up to Richmond Yacht Club who were hosting the event. It was a great social event and Eye Spy came third in Div 1, only being beaten by Prince Hal and Paeoa on handicap. Young Entertainer came a close 5th, a great achievement considering they were short handed. Trevor won 25m of rope, ideal to replace the "about to break" genoa halyard, and Darcy won 4l of Altex anti fouling, which he promptly and kindly gave to Trevor! Back to to Eye Spy and a pleasant motor back to Hobby with the sun setting and darkness falling as we picked up the mooring about 20.30hours. It was fun meeting new people, and watching the evening racers starting just outside the club. It was nostalgic for me seeing Predator, an ex Waikawa boat, hoisting her spinnaker on the first run down. Good to see her still racing! It was a great event and the next Emergency Services Regatta is on 17th April 2015, 1400 start. So put that date in next year's calendar/diary and let's see more Hobby boats up there racing the townies. Contact Ian Clouston of the Auckland Police Dog Section, either by phone (579 6540/0274 9947531) or email richard.clouston@police.govt.nz to register interest. "This is a hugely fun day with an excellent after match function". |
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