Racing Report - 2014 Balmain Sailing Club Post Christmas Twilight Race 7

February 22, 2014

46 boats turned up to compete in Race 7 of the BSC's Post Christmas Twilight Race. Conditions were perfect with a consistent 10+ knots, initially from the ESE that swung to the South shortly after the start of the race.

In Division 1 competition at the start was fierce. 3 boats were called over at the start, 2 of whom restarted. Unfortunately Race Director Simon Oliver's MD35 'Matagi' was scored OCS. Philip Grove's Sydney 39 'Huntress' crossed the line in first place, however, the handicap win went to newcomer Ray Theedan's 40' Jeanneau 'Panacea'. In second place, just 4 seconds behind on corrected time was Damian & Deb Barker's Sydney 36 'Alpha Carinae' (sporting a shiny new piece of fabric forward of the mast) while third place went to Peter Taylor's Sydney 38 'Faster Forward'.

Division 2 saw a closely fought battle between Doug Russell's 24' JOG boat 'Gingerbread Man' and the S99 'Magician V', owned by Neil Hamilton and sailed on the day by Felix Gretch, Linda Bell and a group of Danish 20 year old sailors who are in Australia having competed in the Hobie 16 World Championships in Jervis Bay. Daniel Bjornholt and Felix, sailing for Denmark, were the overall winners of the Youth Division of the Hobie 16 Worlds, finishing the 6 race series with 12 points, 13 points clear of the second placed boat (representing Australia). Impressive, given it was Felix's first time on a Hobie 16.

Magician V had not officially entered and therefore do not appear in the results. However, they crossed line in first place very closely followed by Gingerbread Man. It is noteworthy that Gingerbread Man is the smallest and one of the oldest boats in Division 2. They consistently cross the line in first place well ahead of larger and more modern competitors – statistics generated by Top Yacht reveal that Gingerbread Man sails more consistently (within 1% of her handicap) than any other yacht competing at the BSC despite the PHS result.

First place on handicap in Division 2 went to Club Director Charlie Chan and Commodore Angela Catterns on their Northshore 31 'Penguin'. It was a very close result with Philippa Naivasha's Beneteau 31.7 'My Girl' placing second just 31 seconds behind. Third place went to Frans Tkatchew [contender for the annual "my bloody handicap…" award!] on his Pawtucket 35 'Apache' was just 26 further back on corrected time.

Lyn Evans' Folkboat 'Tookie' crossed the finish alongside much larger competitors (including  'Windchaser' rumoured to be working on next seasons handicap) placed first in Division 3 just 4 seconds the better of Rod Grant's Hood 24 'Bari' to place second. Third place went to John Lang's Marauder 820 'Rogate. The competition was particularly close with the first 6 of 9 boats competing in Division 3 finishing within less than a minute on corrected time.

The dinghies had a respectable fleet of 11, with 10 entries! All jokes aside, retired Irish Vet, Angus Campbell delivered on his Laser 'Lili White' placing first, 20 seconds ahead of Poppy Moore on her Laser 'Taz' and in third place was Hannah Heath on her Laser 'Marvin'. Like Division 3, the first 6 boats finished within less than a minute of each other on corrected time.

After 7 races and 4 races remaining competition for the series is tight. Drummoyne Sailing Club's Steve Piper on his Adams 10 'Coconut Telegraph' is making a good attempt at pinching another trophy from the BSC - leading Division 1 with 27 points, followed by Simon Hardy's Jeanneau 35 'Think Twice' on 28 points. Craig Armour on his Hick 30 'Delirium' is close behind on 30 points. In Division 2 David and William Stevens' C&C34 'Warp 9', with 21 points has a 2.5 point lead over Philippa Naivasha's Beneteau First 31.7 'My Girl' (23.5). In third place are Charlie Chan and Angella Catterns on their Northshore 31 'Penguin' on 26.5 points.
(Note: Steve Piper and his DSC crew are great supporters of the BSC and the friendly inter club racing that has eve loved of the past couple of years).

In Division 3, Tommy Richardson's UFO34 'Amon Re', gave away his series leading position after race 7 (in favour of maintaining his all-important 'Most Social Boat' status) to drop back to second place with 20 points behind John Moore's East Coast 31 'Coppelia' who leads with 16 points. John Lang's Marauder 820 'Rogate' remains well in contention in third place with 21 points.

Just one-and-a-half points separates the leaders of the dinghy division with Poppy Moore's 'Taz' leading (26) followed by Nick Evtouchenko's 'Manly Ferry' on 26.5 points and David Hodgson's 'Connie in third place with 27.5 points.

Remember, there are 2 discards in the Post-Christmas Twilight Series. The second discard will be applied following race 8 and that may see some changes to the leading boats across each of the divisions.

David Stenhouse - Race Manager

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