Monday, 26th June 2017
The “race” did have a start, lasted for 175 minutes but lacked a finish. Of the 34 starters 26 took matters into their own hands and retired as they neared or passed number 4. The remaining 8 “trophy hunters” were unable to finish a shortened course (at number 1) within the time limit. One yacht retired after noting there was still 1.8 nautical miles to go, the boat was travelling at 0.1 knots and had an expected finish time of around Thursday lunch. She retired. This was yet another race characterised by light and variable breezes which has become the norm this winter. As a result boat speeds have been slower, courses shorter and handicaps lower when compared to the previous summer series. For race 12 the BOM forecast “Winds. West to south westerly about 10 knots tending southerly during the morning then becoming variable during the afternoon.” By and large the forecast was accurate. Fawkner Beacon indicated an average of a little under 5 knots for the afternoon and a shift from west north west to south south east as the day progressed. Read more…