Race Report from Nona Today’s wind looks similar in strength to yesterdays Golden Rivet although it has swung around to SW. The forecast is NW going NE. We shall see. The start fleet is one of quality rather than quantity. Nona and Firsty. Bronwyn is on the helm, John on tactics and Dave and I on crew work. The gun goes and we head out and around Beachaven poles and tack up the Harbour for a course of Meola, ODM, pink buoy off Taikata, ODM twice. The wind today is feeling decidedly lighter than yesterday. We stay in touch with Firsty heading to the pink buoy when Firsty radios that there is not much wind around Kauri Point and perhaps we should mutually shorten course to the pink Buoy. Wisdom prevails. We both try to round the pink buoy and start drifting back to Kauri Point. Down with the anchor. Bronwyn lights a cigarette and a light breeze (3 knots) wafts in. Over the side with the ciggie, up with the anchor and twelve minutes later we officially round the mark ahead of Firsty and head to the ODM, praying that the tower will be flying a shortened course flag. Against the tide our progress is slow and frustrating, however not as slow as a Sunburst “Black Pearl” skippered by our Div 5 Rep Jamie. In the back is a figure in the pose of the thinker, but clothed in a orange fluro top looking longingly up the channel towards Beachaven. With thoughts of salvage rights and increasing our waterline length we take the Sunburst in tow and continue to struggle towards the ODM. Down with the anchor again and the time limit is starting to come into play. Up anchor and we move on slowly reaching between Island Bay and the moored boats in the Hobby Channel and make the call. No wind, not likely to get any wind, and 20 mins to cross the finish line. It’s not going to happen. DNF. We start the motor, dropping Jamie off in Beachaven Bay and head to the mooring. Another frustrating day. The upside is the number one dried out from the Golden Rivet race. Thanks to the start tower crew, Firsty, the Social Committee for keeping some food for us and the crew of Nona. John, Dave and skipper Bronwyn. Better luck next time Bronwyn. NONA |
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