A big incoming tide and a sustained 20 knots of wind greeted our intrepid fleet for race 2 of the summer season. It had all the ingredients for a great race.
After practising his racing starts with Matt Andrews on Friday, Brennan jostled It’s Academic for a ripper start and it was on. The It’s Academic crew have really found their form, and it won’t be long before they will be heading for a podium finish.
John Haywood crewed for Mark on Keenas, after teaching all morning!
Four Lasers, an impulse, a Cat, and four corsairs were racing, and it was a close one.
A big shout out to Bryan on the safety boat, who had his work cut out supporting the lasers who struggled in the gusts and had some excellent practices dealing with capsizing. Of course, strong winds did not seem to bother Kate Yeomans, who treated the whole affair as one long abdominal workout. Dave Robinson’s impulse loved the downwind leg.
The race was three laps long. At the end of the first lap, it was Kate Y (24.51), closely followed by Mark Reynolds on Keanas just 59 seconds later. The second lap saw Kate crossing at 47.08 with the Keanas crew nipping at her heels at 48.28. It was close! The final lap was a nail-biter, it was neck and neck all the way, and there were two contenders for the crown, you guessed it Kate va Keanas. Kate crossed for the win at 1. 09.31, and just 49 seconds later came the Kennas crew. Lex Branch was not too far off the money, coming in for a solid third place at 1.13.04. It’s Academic came in at 1.16.15.
Matt Andrews, with his trusty crew of three powder monkeys (Mia, Aidan and Posie) crossed soon after (1.17.09)
Charlie did a great job on the hooter. Letting everyone know when they crossed the finish line on every lap.
Words by Michael Grace.