The rain stayed away for our Wednesday twilight race so a good fleet turned up for the flying start. Pre start I noticed the yachts off Onion Point getting a nice lift around the corner so we started low on the line and lifted inside all the fleet to be first into Humbug by a handy margin. This is the point where breeze trumps brilliance as we sit off Onion Point waiting for the fleet to catch us and not just catch us but storm past to be ahead and to windward into the freshening breeze. Faast Company had been second behind us into Humbug and suffered the same fate ending up last out into the fresh breeze. World’s Apart took most advantage of the overtaking lane, was first into the breeze around the point and first off to Cockatoo Island. We dawdled out of Humbug in second last place and in the dirty air of the fleet. Around Cockatoo we hugged the northern shore and found our own streak of breeze so that we overtook most of the fleet. At Snapper Island we took the conservative approach and sailed around Cipriani. Down the track between the islands the long spinnaker pole spread the big 160% genoa across the breeze and we emerged at Spinnaker Island in second place and chasing World’s Apart. Beating up the channel towards Goat Island we had a good lift early and caught World’s Apart but from Clarkes Point we found ourselves out of phase with the wind shifts. Cipriani points higher and she pinched into a nice lift while we fell away in lighter air. At Goat Island we were lucky to stay in front of Faast Company who had recovered from the delay in Humbug and was making good progress to windward.
Around Goat we were able to get the big pole out again and steadily pulled in Cipriani and pulled away from Faast Company. Going back into Humbug we could see World’s Apart not far ahead but she carried wind into Humbug while the breeze died on us, Cipriani and Faast Company. For a few moments the breeze swung to the west and we gybed to take advantage of it. Then it swung back and Cipriani was ahead again. The drift through Humbug was painful. Cipriani pushed us over to the southern and eastern shores hoping to gybe back and have us covered but we kept our nose in front and on straightening for the finish line had enough wind over our bow to get a good run at the line.
Our second place on fastest time was a small consolation prize as we have to give time to all three of the aforementioned competitors. We will have to wait for the handicap results to see if the following fleet was becalmed in Humbug as long as we were.
It was a testing race but the return to dry conditions made it a pleasant one and gave us the opportunity for a drink and nibbles on board.

The conditions would be close to the wettest experienced since we started sailing Passion in the Greenwich Flying Squadron Wednesday Twilight series. All day long the Bureau of Meteorology web site radar showed bands of rain streaming across the race course and it continued through the evening and was still going long after we were moored and snug in the comfort of our own homes.

The crew of only three yachts braved the conditions. Predictably the three were the ones in contention for the Summer Pursuit series, French Connection, Cipriani and ourselves. Going into the final race we had the advantage of a one point lead but had to beat French Connection to win.

The light breeze called for the large 160% Gemmell genoa but the breeze on the start line was hardly enough to lift the clew. The breeze filled in half way to Onion Point and we were away side by side with French Connection. We stayed in the middle of Humbug and with the breeze straight down the middle we won the race into the freshening breeze around the point. On the soldiers course to Goat Island we pinched as high as we could and rounded in the single beat. For the second week in a row the rounding of Goat was unkind. While we stayed away from the windless lee of the island a strong gust carried the fleet up to us and with momentum they overtook us to windward and carried into the clear air on the far side. Again we were left chasing French Connection who by now was a minute ahead. On the reach back to Humbug we trimmed the sails as carefully as possible and caught one small puff that carried us past the smaller yachts but made no impression on French Connection. Into Humbug it was our turn to take the chance of breeze in close and with help from a lifting gust we managed to lift into the Woolwich shore and pass French Connection and Cipriani. But now it was French Connections turn to lift in and by the time we had completed our tack they were charging ahead with clear air while we had dirty air from the other fleets yachts. Now Cipriani was lifting on the other tack and we found ourselves out of sync with the lifts and knocks. We cross Cipriani but she is on course for the finish line and we have yet to tack. Now we tack and it is too late. Cipriani has slipped through to leeward.
A big thank you to the loyal crew for turning up in such wet conditions and congratulations also to the crew of French Connection for their results over the last two weeks where they have beaten us for fastest time while off the same handicap.
Next week it is a new series and it is back to flying starts.

Yes it is true. The handicapper has had his way with us and we came last in the last race. But all was not lost because our close competitors were just ahead and for the series we are still ahead by a single point. Apart from the handicapper’s influence the pursuit style of racing is supposed to help the earlier starters who have more of the breeze before it dies away in the evening. Wednesday night was a classic example with the earliest starter being the quickest around the course. Well done Paul Williams and the crew on Takana.



We were short crewed for the night with Elaine in Perth and others taking their leave and the forecast was for 10 to 15 knots so I opted for the 155% North tri radial genoa. On review we could have carried the larger and fuller 160% Gemmell genoa and would probably have done as well to windward and better off the breeze.
At the start the breeze freshened up and as we reached away from the start we made immediate inroads into the lead of French Connection and World’s Apart. The run from Cockatoo to Starboard to Snapper Island and the reach to Spectacle Island were follow the leader legs. We passed many smaller yachts from other divisions but made little headway on the Blue division. On the work to Goat both French Connection and World’s Apart pulled away. World’s Apart is the biggest yacht in the fleet with a longer water line and she took full advantage of her hull speed. French Connection has a narrow sheeting angle reminiscent of the racing pedigree from which she was born. The wide cabin top on Passion is well suited to comfortable cruising but not to pointing high. Despite these natural disadvantages we picked a nice lift into Goat and around the lee of the island ran around French Connection and made some ground on World’s Apart. Our smugness at passing French Connection was short lives as she picked up a strong gust from astern and carried it right up to us where it promptly left to annoy some other yachtsmen. Now we were to leeward of French Connection for the dreaded entry to Humbug. We took this wide looking for more breeze on the outside but French Connection picked in up from ahead and left us well behind. We may have been embarrassed with the finishing times but a very nice lift around Onion Point saved our bacon and restored respectability to our elapsed time.
The weather for the raft up after the race and the BBQ provided perhaps the best evening of the season
Next week is the final race of the Summer Pursuit series and the handicapper has restored four minutes to our time courtesy of the back marker winning on handicap and getting fastest time so we at least have a chance. It will be the Australia Day race and so a fitting day on which to end the series. But can we do it in style?

For a second week the breeze blew over 25 knots but this time a few more intrepid sailors fronted for the start and six Blue fleet yachts took to the course. The rig selection was an easy one. No 3 Blade jib and a reef in the main and the only trouble was putting on the jib in the stiff breeze.
The early starters had an eight and six minute start on us and we saw little of them all day. Surprisingly we made up only 20 seconds on the early starters over the two laps around Cockatoo and Goat Islands so Avanti and Cipriani deserved their first and second places. For our part we started with French Connection and enjoyed a close tussle for the early part of the race. In a spell of heavier winds French Connection rounded up a few times and we were able to draw away by over a minute. The most interesting part of the race for us was the contest with first Velocity and next Out of Africa from the Green fleet. We caught Velocity on the way out of Humbug but never got far away from her all race. Worse she was intent on beating us across the line, never mind that we were in a different fleet. Out Of Africa was just in front of us on the second work to Goat Island and courtesy of some interference from Velocity she stayed just in front until a few yards before the finish line. Around Goat the second time we caught sight of Irukandji who started four minutes behind us. She was overtaking French Connection and that pleased us since it put an extra place between us and French Connection on the progressive scores.
In the gusts Kevin took Passion up to 10.4 knots which is not bad for a reefed main and small jib and we enjoyed some of the broad reaching. Finally it was time to re enter the dreaded Humbug and true to form we ended up drifting in the lee of Onion Point while the fast finishing French Connection was trying to overtake Irukandji who was trying to overtake us. Fortunately the finish line arrived in time and we were recorded 2 seconds in front of Irukandji and 4 seconds in front of French Connection. Amazingly the elapsed times of Passion, French Connection, Cipriani and Avanti were all within 22 seconds. Now I thought we sailed well so hats off to the others for similarly good results.

Wednesday’s twilight race was a blow out with a southerly front peaking over 30 knots. Very wisely the race was abandoned but we gallant crew had a pleasant motor around Woodford Bay and the Lane Cove river while discussing world events.
Since our last race Elaine and I took Passion to Refuge Bay and rafted up with three other Gosford Club yachts for a two night stay. The weather was perfect for a little boat cleaning, swimming and relaxing. In the bay we called on Viva the blue 13 metre yacht from the Winter Wednesday series at RANSA and had a chat about the start line incident last winter when they took out Witchdoctor. The aluminium hulled Witchdoctor was written off by the insurance company but later purchased and rebuilt so it was a much more serious incident than I had thought.
We had a quick trip home on Tuesday with a North East breeze occasionally reaching 23 knots. With the coastal drift our way we touched 9.2 knots true speed over the ground which was pretty good going for a broad reach where the small cruising genoa was partially blanketed by the mainsail.
One last story in lieu of a race commentary. Every time I drive to the mooring at Woolwich I come down Pittwater Road and turn left at the lights at Ryde Road. On New Year’s Eve I was third car in a line of six turning left when a traffic camera flashed in my face. Perhaps it was catching someone going trough the lights another way but it startled me as it appeared to be directly into my face. Now if you ask me what state I live in do not be surprised if I reply the state of anxiety rather than NSW. With traffic cameras everywhere and numerous incomprehensible speed zones driving penalty points free is a dream. Anyway New Year’s Eve is double demerit points and I ponder how the camera could have picked on me while hoping it was someone else. Ok now the next time I drive to that corner I check our the camera and it appears to have been rotated to a different angle so perhaps it did not incorrectly catch me. En route to Passion for the abandoned twilight race at the same corner the left turn arrow goes orange. Now I am already sensitized to this corner so I brake my nice new Aurion and just as well because the arrow changes to red in pretty short time. Now wait for it. The squeal of the rubber on the road and the gentle thud as the following car runs into our rather stout tow bar. Now I feel sorry for the guy who had not seen the orange or red arrow and thought I would just keep going. Fortunately neither car is damaged and we go our separate ways and the camera is gone. I think if a letter does come that I might just fight this one.

For the last twilight race of 2011 the crews came dressed in Santa hats and there was even one very genuine looking Santa in full regalia in Harvey our tireless web master and results coordinator.
Kevin left nothing to chance and provided Santa hats to all the fine looking crew.

The start in a sub 10 knots breeze was contentious. Timid as I am I was trying to keep a boat length up my sleeve much to the consternation of my eager crew so when the individual recall flag went up there were some anxious moments waiting to see if the flag came down when the other starter returned to the line.  On board there were frequent changes of mood; relief as the white flag with the blue cross came down signalling the return of the errant yacht; surprise as we turned Onion Point to find some of the earlier starters becalmed in Humbug; consternation as we failed to sail past Faast Company on the Port tack out of Humbug; relief when I realised I had positioned the genoa lead car

Passion in the big post race raft-up

too far forward; delight as we tacked away from Faast Company and on tacking back had a handy lead and so on it went all night.  In the beat to Goat Island to Starboard we were controlled on several occasions by a J24 to windward and the short time it took to find a clear place to tack was very costly. There were over the course some very large wind shifts and some large variations in wind pressure so looking up the course was not always a good guide to the wind that was about to hit Passion. On a rating of 10 I would score myself no better than 4 for the windward work and that is being very self congratulatory.

Full deck at GFS after the race with 51 boats competing

So how may you ask did Passion manage to score a third place on the evening?  No3 son Mark who was aboard for the evening took the helm for the downwind leg back to Greenwich, Kevin set the whisker pole at its full extension and we spread our eleven metres of sail width across the course and proceeded to reel in the early starters. Frank and I retire to the foredeck where our weight helps to lift the wide stern of Passion out of the water and reduce the wetted surface area. But that alone is not enough. At Greenwich Point the bulk of the fleet is still ahead and Takana has picked up a line of breeze inside us and looks like overtaking us on the point.  We held our calm and kept low and as we entered Humbug there was the fleet with the exception of the winner French Connection all becalmed across the course. We went for the Hunters Hill shore where Cipriani had left a gap and carefully played each shift in the wind to sneak past. Here the extra weight in Passion helps in the calm conditions as we go forward with momentum just enough to put our nose in front of the Blue fleet.  Now for the anxious moments as Ron trims the main in and out for every 90 degree wind shift. Now the wind is astern and Kevin and Frank and Mal and Martin and Mark help with the main and flick the genoa out to windward one moment and then back to leeward the next. We are on Starboard tack which is just as well otherwise we would have no right. We are the most leeward yacht across the fleet and here we get a wind shift to the South that has us the windward yacht for a few moment enough to build a bit of speed.  It looks like we are sneaking through for an undeserved second place but the breeze flick back and we have to bring the genoa back to Port while Tartan to windward catches to last gust of the race to beat us over the line. Never mind we hang on for a undeserved third place and an equal share of the series lead with French Connection, the winner of the night.

After the race we raft up at the club for the barbecue and to join in the Christmas celebrations.

A big thanks for all the crew for their commitment to the Wednesday twilight racing come rain or shine and very best wishes for Christmas and for the New Year

Passion was picked out of the lucky dip of six of the Blue fleet crossing the finish line, line abreast and awarded fourth place for the evening.
As pleased as I and the gallant crew of Passion are to receive this place commiserations go out to the other five yachts in the line up especially Gale Force who seems to have disappeared up the finish line vortex. Hopefully she will be found before next weeks race and maybe even given a finishing spot somewhere in that group of six.
As close as our result was there was a similar battle for the first three places three minutes in front of us. Yes just one second separated each of the three finishers with World’s Apart getting the nod in that group.
As promised it was a fresh breeze and no rain as we boarded Passion for the Wednesday Twilight. The wind speed indicator was showing twelve to fourteen knots and some thought was given to the 135% genoa. Fortunately we took the chance on the larger head sail and it paid off well. We started three minutes later this week as penalty for winning the previous week by just the length of a kitchen table. With such a big hit I expected we would trail the fleet home but we were here for the company as well as the sailing and ready to give it our best shot.
It was not a good start. Please do not remind me as it is a long time since I have been a minute late for the line and I thank the crew for not giving me a hard time. We were a bit unlucky though as our pre start manouvers were hampered by other yachts and an unexpected lull in the breeze. As usual it was tricky beating through Humbug but once clear we had good breeze to push us along towards Cockatoo to starboard. Towards Cockatoo we lifted nicely and had a better breeze phasing than the early starters. As a result by the time we reached to Spinnaker Island we had pulled in the fleet by a couple of minutes. Beating back along the Hunters Hill shore we were again gifted with a nice lift that lifted us inside Takana. They slipped back in front momentarily as we tacked from Long Nose to Goat but eventually we lifted up from under them and had enough room to tack to Port for the Western side of Goat. We cleared Goat Island by a goats whisker. Elaine was calling the depth indicator as we drifted along the shore too close for comfort. In truth a short tack our twenty metres might have found better wind than the feeble breeze we had close into the windward shore but clear Goat we did and took off after the fleet. Fourteen minutes is a big gap to catch but we could see the fleet just in front. Kevin has the big whisker pole out the full six metres and with the almost five metre boom we span a mighty eleven metres across the wind. First we pass Faast Company but she refuses to go away and shadows us to the finish line. Next there is a big bunch going into Humbug. We go wide to keep in the breeze and go deep to the Hunters Hill side where there is more breeze. The fleet see that we have better wind and start to drop on top of us. Conquista from the Black fleet charges through close to the shore and does even better but we pass Tartan to leeward and have to watch that we don’t run into the stern of Speedwell. Around Onion Point we hang onto the inside running and keep inching up to the fleet.  Kevin and Frank are coaxing the genoa to fly out to windward and Ron is watching that the boom does not gybe. Momentarily the breeze flicks back to the East and we drop the genoa over to Port to reach to the finish line.  At the finish line it is line abreast. We know we have passed Tartan, Speedwell and Avanti but think that Gael Force may be ahead. We were the leeward boat on the line and maybe it was angled enough for the finishers to see us so we will celebrate the fourth place for now. At the end just a couple of boat lengths separated fourth from tenth so it was indeed an incredible fourth.

The crew numbers were depleted for tonight, not by the prospects of light winds and wet conditions but by prior commitments, so just Kevin, Ron, Malcolm and I braved the conditions and had a very enjoyable race. It was the start of the Summer Pursuit series where the faster yachts start later and have to run down the fleet to win the race and win the race we did. This was quite an achievement as we were scheduled to give all the fleet a start and on the short course set for the evening the prospect of catching them did not look good. Lucky for us both Worlds Apart and Avanti decided that their handicap was not tough enough and for unexplained reasons they gave away a few extra minutes.
We started on a reach heading out through Humbug and for a while it looked like we had caught some of the early starters as the lay becalmed in the dreaded reaches of Humbug. But it was not to be as we all spend a similar time drifting through the the shadow of the hills and emerged more or less in the order we entered. It was a short race, a beat to Goat and a run home so the first beat was all important. We had a clean bottom today and Passion was back to her usual form slowly catching the early starters but it was not all our way. We caught and crossed Cipriani only to be caught and crossed in turn and it was not till the tack to round Goat that we finally cleared her bow. In the approach to Goat we had picked a line as close to the island as I dared go for fear of running out of breeze and this was the move of the night. French Connection and Gael Force took lines further out and we lifted inside them and passed them in the same move so we rounded Goat in front of French Connection, Gael Force and Cipriani and set of in pursuit of Takana and Faast Company.
The air around Goat Island is always tricky. Too far left and the headland blankets you while to the right the Island has a large wind shadow to leeward. French Connection took a slightly more right line and passed us again but we persisted with a more left line and eventually found breeze to carry us back in front. From Long Nose we went deep and wide encouraged by Kevin who was keeping a keen eye on the wind gusts and this paid off well. We carried the mighty long whisker pole up to the Greenwich shore and then gybed and reached along the shore in better wind than Takana. With our nose now in front of Takana there was just Faast Company to overtake. Into Humbug we also went deep to the Hunters Hill shore and gybed to sail around Faast Company and with momentum carry through to Onion Point. The last run to the line was nerve wracking as it seemed the whole Blue fleet was bringing fresh breeze down on top but never fear we crossed the line first and fastest with a boat length to spare.
Well done to the crew who had to tame the mighty big 160% genoa and perform all sorts of multitasking roles to get us through the evening in such fine shape.

Last week it was our luck that ran out but this week it was the breeze. Lucky for us the fleet failed to finish in the time limit because we had a shocker. It all started at 3:00 pm when I arrived at the mooring to find the hull had not been scrubbed. I did a quick whip around the water line from the tender and cleaned some of the near surface fouling but the tell tale growth on the speed sensor dummy plug was not encouraging.
On board for the night we had a full crew scheduled. Mal was in a bit of a panic as an overturned truck was blocking up the north shore traffic lanes but not to worry we made a late pick up and were waiting at the pontoon as he walked onto the club deck. We hung around the start line as the wind was a little on the fragile side and made a fair start a boat length behind the line. I like to be cautious in a downhill start as there is no remedy for being early. Takana and Worlds Apart jumped away from the start and I swear they must have had shiny clean bottoms because they gave us all the slip through Humbug and on the long leg to Cockatoo to Port. Around Cockatoo we made up ground by going inside Worlds Apart but below Takana. Now for some reason yet to be understood Takan dropped into our path despite being the windward boat. Now apologies are quickly accepted because I have done my share of silly calls. It comes with the age thing. By the time one can afford a yacht the grey matter has slowed down so I am readily forgiving and hoping for the same courtesy when it is my turn. So forgiven they might be but not forgotten as in the process Gael Force and out must beat competition for the series Avanti slipped through on a gust to windward while Takana and ourselves drifted like the ancient mariner. When wind came it was an anemic breeze with little fits and starts and eddies from almost all directions. The plus side was that it was a warm evening and the atmosphere on the water was very pleasing. The second plus was that Avanti was at this stage so far away that we could not expect to catch her let alone give her minutes of handicap and win. Blame it on the wind or on the dirty bottom but at no stage did we look like winners. We did leave French Connection behind and considering how well she usually sails we were in good company. Around Goat to Port there was nothing but flat water. We took a chance and went inside Takana who had decided to wait for us in wind shadow of the island and for a few minutes it looked like we might drift past but it was not to be. She found a whisper of wind a wee bit to leeward of us and took off while we waited and waited and you get the picture. The fickle fingers of wind filled in and we eventually rounded Goat and tacked as quickly as possible to stay on the lee shore. For a short time this appeared to be the right move but alas the wind just faded away again. We sat and waited for French Connection to bring fresh wind down the course and tacked behind her stone mother less last for a few moments. On the tack back it was her turn to die in the doldrums and there she stayed until time ran out and she started her engine. It was time for a drink and relaxation waiting for the time limit to run down and run down it did. With ten minutes to go we started the engine and tidied up the sails while motoring back through Humbug counting all the hopefuls still sailing to the line. Worlds Apart deserved a better result. They sailed well and were just yards from the line when time ran out but well sailed to them anyway.
All yachts scored 4 points and could drop higher places so Avanti won the series while we were second. We hung on for the best result on scratch for the fleet but we will need more wind to keep that record in the second half of the season.
All up a good series where we finished second despite having the toughest handicap in the fleet.

We have had a lucky run on Passion this spring series. Even tonight the rain which had been non stop all day stopped in time for the sailing. The forecast was for 15 to 20 so Kevin and I changed the genoa to the 135% before leaving the mooring. We picked up Frank and Martin and the four of us were the crew for the evening. At the start we timed our run well and won the start sailing on starboard into the corner of Humbug. We tacked as soon as Worlds Apart did so that we were above them with a clear run to Onion Point. Now this is where the luck deserted us as we found a massive header that turned us into the path of French Connection and we had no choice but to tack back into the dead corner of Humbug. We went back to port as soon as we had clear lane and again suffered a massive header taking us back to the fleet stalled on Onion Point. Now the fleet progressively called for water and tacked away from the shore forcing us once again into the dead side of Humbug. Well three times unlucky it was as Avanti found a puff of air on Port tack that shot her out of Humbug like a greyhound after a rabbit. Meanwhile we were drifting along on the opposite tack in the same direction. From this frustrating mass of swirling air Worlds Apart found a Port tack lift and took off after Avanti. Gael Force and ourselves eventually passed through the torture of Humbug and took off after the leaders leaving French Connection and Faast Company the last to emerge. For a long while Gael Force and ourselves had a close race. We were for the most part just ahead and it was not until the approach to Goat on Starboard tack that we found a lift carrying us towards the island while they a few lengths to leeward found a knock taking them into the lee shore. This was as close as we came to Worlds Apart as they were in the opposite tack about to round Goat as we were lifting to the corner of the Island. Around the Island and we are back to the square run home. Kevin throws up the 5 meter long spinnaker pole that spreads the 135% genoa as far across the wind as is possible and we try to find lines of wind. French Connection has taken advantage of Gael Forces’s bad knock and moved up to be quite threatening close astern. We hang on to our third fastest across the line with French Connection just failing to make up the last few metres on the way back through Humbug. A fifth place on handicap is the appropriate score for the evening and that bolter Avanti takes out the double. Avanti did sail with their large genoa and that would have helped in the light patches through Humbug and on the long run home so well done to them. Their success takes them past us on the overall results with a race to go. Meanwhile we hang in there in first place on the fastest times ladder.