The Yachtsman 2017-2018 RPAYC Yachtsman 2016-2017 | Page 32

ONE DESIGN
SERIES
T
he 5.5 metre fleet is growing and participated in the Mid-Winter One
Design Regatta. The 5.5’s were racing in the same fleet as Etchells with
11 yachts on the start line each time in typical Sydney winter weather
– plenty of sunshine and light shifty westerly winds. In fact through the
weekend, the breeze ranged from 4 to 8 knots and from 230 to 320
degrees, making quite a challenge for Race Officer, Steve Merrington and his team.
Courses were all windward/leeward with two laps to each race and legs of
between .5 and .75 nautical miles, and using a windward clearance mark and split
leeward marks.
As the results show, the racing was very closely contested with results often as
little as three and four seconds between boats finishing. Day one saw Barragoola
(Jason Antill), Skagerak (Bob Stoddart) and Tangalooma (Pete McNamara) going
at it from the first moment with everyone soon learning that where you placed the
yacht on the course was as important as how fast you sailed. Shifts in the light
breeze of up to 15 deg, mixed with windless ‘holes’ were a feature all day.
Tangalooma managed to win Race 1 by 15 seconds from Skagerak with Baragoola
just adrift by five seconds. Plan B was unable to start having been T boned by a
cruising catamaran before the start and needing to replace a jib.
Race 2 was Baragoola all the way, winning by more than a minute from
Tangalooma, with Skagerak 3rd and Plan B having her first race in Australia in 4th.
She’s a very modern 5.5 (8 years old) and features substantial chines in the hull
and a carbon fibre build and rig, so is expected to be very fast once Rob Fielding
and friends get things sorted.
Race 3 the breeze came and went on every leg and especially on leg four decided
results according to which side of the racecourse was followed – Baragoola from
Tangalooma by 13 seconds with Plan B a further minute adrift and Skagerak 4th.
So, the first day saw Baragoola and Tangaloooma even on points with Skagerak
close behind.
Sunday’s weather was almost a rerun of Saturday. In the first race of the day,
Tangalooma was able to overcome a slow start and move into first place on the
second beat and hold to the finish, leading Baragoola to the line by 35 seconds
with Plan B now in 3rd and Skagerak 4th. Race 5 the breeze dropped out altogether
at times and moved through 40 degrees as the strength fluctuated. Plan B chose
the right side of the course on Leg 1 and was never headed, to win by one minute
from Skagerak, then a further minute to Baragoola and Tangalooma well back.
Race 6 was sailed in a slightly steadier breeze with the lead changing several
times between Tangalooma, Skagerak and Baragoola with the final result a win by
four seconds to Tangalooma from Skagerak then 34 seconds to Baragoola and a
further 7 seconds to Plan B.
All in all, a really good test of light air sailing and great fun to compete in.
PETER MCNAMARA
RESULTS
30
PLACE YACHT OWNER
1st Tangalooma Pete McNamara
2nd Baragoola Jason Antill
3rd Skagerak Bob Stoddart
YACHTSMAN