Under the unflappable organisation of Race Officer Simon James ( I have seen
it all before !) two races were held . In the end all 9 contests came to the line
on a windward /leeward courses across the river due to an unusual northerly
breeze, made interesting by a cross tide , Haiku 1 mastless an hour before
made it just in time ,
In the first race 2 rounds of windward / leeward the fleet were very line shy
but PSC Vice Commodore Rama built up a commanding lead and won by a
comfortable margin , behind on a complex beat there was lots of place
changing with Mandarin ( Jason Moriaty /John Kara finishing second ,) with
Ratatosk 3 rd
On the first downwind leg , we saw 2 spinnakers up but none set !
The Race Director unusually not participating realised there was a steep
learning curve for PSC sailors on a completely different type of course and
sailing to our usual out and back courses , even those experienced were
learning the dark art of Squib sailing
The breeze was rising and falling but the Race Officer Simon decided that the
already set course was okay and the second race course was a repeat of the
first , a somewhat messy start saw those starting at the committee boat up
tide end on starboard tack gain those on port struggled to cross Alicen/Luke in
Haiku 1 made a perfect start and sailed into the distance , clear and a long way
ahead under goosewinged jib she finished in good time ,
Behind there was lots of close racing which typifies Squib racing , easy boats to
sail but difficult to sail well
From the Committee boat parked just below the leeward mark we saw lots of
close tussels on the mark and the tidal situation meant those who headed up
too fast simply stopped
The overall results for day 1 showed Haiku 1 in front by one point and 3 boats
Mandarin , Lady VG and Ratatosk tied for second on points