Racing Report - 2014 Balmain Sailing Club Post Christmas Twilight Race 11

March 26, 2014

Race 11 of the Balmain Sailing Club's 2014 Post Christmas Twilight series (Race 21 of the 2013/2014 Combined Series) saw a fleet of 43 boats race in perfect conditions with warm weather and a consistent 10 to 15 knot ENE breeze.

The Race Committee set course B and all but one managed to complete the full course before the 7.20pm time limit.

Everyone passed the new laid mark (refer to the amended sailing instructions) on the Start Line on the correct side.

Division 1, with 13 starters and 12 finishers, saw line honours go to Balmain Tiger. However, the handicap win went to Panacea. Second place went to series leader Coconut Telegraph while third place went to Rock 'N' Roll V (rumoured to be the subject of a protest, not that we ever listen to rumours).

Division 2 had 10 starters. The entire division finished within less than 4 minutes of each other on corrected time. The battle for line honours was close with Jeff Glen's Etchells 'Slippery' the victor, just 12 seconds ahead of Les Girls 2 while Peter Oitmaa's Etchells , 'Saaremaa', crossed the line in 3rd place a further 39 seconds back. On handicap, however, first place went to an ecstatic Alena Abrosimova, skippering the Sonata 8 'F-Sharp' to her first ever win as skipper, winning by 55 seconds on corrected time in what she described as the "best sail of her life!". Second place went to 'Les Girls 2' and third place went to Scandalous.

Division 3 had a fleet of 8. Coppelia won the daily double, taking line honours and the handicap win to strengthen their (Post Christmas) Series lead. Second place went to Tookie who increased their overall series lead while third place went to another consistent performance by John Lang on his Marauder 830 'Rogate' - who are hanging on to second place in the post Christmas Series.

The Dinghy Division (Division 4) had 11 starters, one of which was scored OCS, and another DNF. Meanwhile 7 out of 9 finished within 45 seconds on corrected time. It doesn't get much tougher than that! The handicap winner was Brendan Stewart on his Taser '1010', 11 seconds clear of 'Rackham' placing 2nd and a further 9 seconds back was Hannah Heath on her Laser 'Marvin'.

With just one race remaining (and a 3rd and final discard to be applied to the post Christmas Series) there is a lot at stake for the front-runners!

Steve Piper's Adams 10 Coconut Telegraph (41) leads Division 1 of the Post Christmas Series by just 1 point ahead of Delerium (42), the Hick 30' owned by Craig Arnour, while Simon Hardy's Jeaneau 35 Think Twice (52) is hanging onto a podium position.

In the all-important overall/combined series point score Coconut Telegraph will be hard (dare I say impossible) to beat on 72 points ahead of Balmain Tiger (85), Kelly 2 (85), Xpress (86) and Luce Change (87). It seems that the DSC's Yachts Division President Steve Piper (Coconut Telegraph) has successfully infiltrated our fleet – well deserved, despite being difficult to digest! The battle for second and third will most definitely come down to the final race.

In Division 2, David Stevens' C&C34 Warp 9 (36) is leading the post Christmas series comfortably ahead of Peter Oitmaas' Etchells Saaremaa (45) and Philippa Naivasha's Beneteau First 31.7 My Girl (46.5) is clinging onto her ambition of another series win – sharing equal 3rd place with Carol Criddle's Hanse 350 Les Girls 2 (46.5). Notably, Scandalous (47.5) and Asterix (49.5) are very capable of upsetting the apple cart.

Division 2 of the BSC's Twilight series has always been the most challenging – with the greatest number of competitors. The overall point score is being led by Peter Oitmaa on his Etchells Saaremaa with 65 points, a mere 1 point clear of Dave Steven's Warp 9 (66) and My Girl (70.5).

John Moore's East Coast 31 'Coppelia' has dominated Division 3 of the Post Christmas Twilight Series and leads with 22.5 points ahead of 'Rogate' on 26 points and 'Amon Re' on 35 points. 'Amon Re' remains well in contention and needs to drop  their worst race in favour of one of their crew who went overboard in race 11 – costing them a certain victory!

Overal series leader of Division 3, Lyn Evans on her Folkboat 'Tookie' (42) may choose to relax on their mooring and watch the race with a lead of 17 points well clear of 'Rogate' (59) and swimming trainers 'Amon Re' (64). Dave Clark-Duff's 'Southern Aura 2' (65) would have been in contention but unfortunately, he broke his arm, leaving Ronert Masterman with a chance of a podium finish on his Hood 23 'Hoodare' (68). We do wish Dave all the best and a speedy recovery!

The Post Christmas Twilight Series, Dinghy Division leader, Nick Evtouchenko on his Taser 'Manly Ferry' has pulled some talent, recruiting long time club sailing instructor Garry Ferres as crew for race 11 (citing no other crew available) – building his lead to 34.5 points, 3 points clear of the very experienced (and somewhat competitive) sailor and BSC Dinghy Captain David Hodgson on his Taser 'Connie' (37.5 points). Just 1 point behind is immediate past Dinghy Captain Poppy Moore on her Laser Radial 'Taz'.

Dave Hodgson hasn't lost sight of the big picture – leading the overall series on his Laser 'Connie' (57.5), 5.5 points clear of Adam Craig on his Laser 'Emily' (63) and race–mate Nick Evtouchenko's Taser, placing 3rd on 65.1 points! Poppy Moore may well bump herself onto the podium with a good result in the final race.

The racing is almost as challenging as the food afterwards!

Come back to the BSC and celebrate the conclusion to another great series after the race.

David Stenhouse - Race Manager