The forecast did not look promising for the handicap start Basin Chase on Saturday, with 80 per cent chance of showers and a 20+knot southerly, but this didn’t stop eight yachts lining up for the race.
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Luckily the forecast was not 100 per cent accurate and it didn’t rain at all during the race and only got a bit chilly towards the end when the wind did eventually pick up but not to 20+knots thankfully.
It was a handicap start and Bluey (Brian, Sam, Andy and Lou) was off first. It was then a 10-minute wait before Son of Coco (Paul and Lynne) & Backchat (Steve, Jan, Mark and Esther) were off. After that there was a quick succession of starts with only a minute or two between each yacht which kept the committee boat on their toes. Last off was Time Out (Scott, Mel, Lynne and Stubbsy) on their inaugural race who were only 1 minute behind Southern Cross (Greg, Lynne and Bill).
Unfortunately, because of the wind direction, it was not the most exciting race with the only real work coming out of Ernie’s up to Maclean’s Point. Other than that it was single tack works, and then reaches and downwind legs. It didn’t take long for the fleet to catch up and overtake Bluey, with Backchat and Fly Navy Too (Greg and Ronda) first to catch them.
However, Bluey is in the newly formed Division 2, along with Optimist (who couldn’t make this race) and so they do a slightly shorter course than Division 1 meaning they should finish about the same time as everyone else.
As always there was a lot of close racing which meant it came down to the wire at the finish for Division 1, with Equinox (Ken, Janette and Silver) valiantly trying to keep Southern Cross behind them but to no avail. Southern Cross took line honours, 2 minutes ahead of Equinox. It was then 90 seconds to Backchat crossing in third, with Tingaround less than a minute behind them and Fly Navy Too only 30 seconds behind them. Son of Coco came in 6th with Time Out bringing up the rear on 7th.
As always, our thanks go to the committee boat this week ably manned by Phil and James.
Next Saturday (16th March) is the Basin Classic which is a “sail in company” around St Georges Basin followed by a de-brief at the Fishos. Entry is free but if you want to take part please let us know for catering purposes. For more details please visit our website, www.sibyc.com.au.
PHS Results Division 1: 1st Southern Cross, 2nd Equinox, 3rd Backchat, 4th Tingaround, 5th Fly Navy Too, 6th Son of Coco, 7th Time Out. PHR Results Division 2: 1st Bluey.
