Today is the final race of the series, and we have an uphill battle ahead of us, as it looks like another day of light breezes, perhaps lighter than the last 2 races.
We are scheduled for an early start (10.20am from the eastern start point), so headed out from the marina at 9.15 am, hoping the wind would appear. We were followed out of the harbour by Next Light, a quick little boat in Cruising Division 2 who have been in the habit of playing the bagpipes on the foredeck on the way out to do battle.
Everyone motored anxiously, some more so than others, around to the start line to checkout the conditions. There was about a 4-5 knot breeze that was running out of puff. The start was postponed and we eventually got away at 11 am. It was one of our better starts, out into clear air quite early after the start. Fortunately today's race is a shorter one, just over 14nm.
We were on the wind for the first leg with about 5 knots of breeze. Everyone was making slow progress with a couple of the smaller boats doing best. Salacia did remarkably well in this light breeze, as unlike the previous days , we did not sail into absolute dead spots, and tactically we did well.
Our first mark, Pentacost Island.
The field was well spread out heading for the first mark, the line we chose worked well for us
Once we got on to a spinnaker run, still in only 5 knots we started pulling away from the field, with only Abracadabra and Broadsword keeping ahead. The breeze stayed in the 4-7 knot range for the bulk of the rest of the race, and steadily, we made ground. Abracadabra was too far ahead to catch, but we passed Broadsword in the Dent Passage, crossing the line second and gaining 4th place after handicap.
We sailed a great race today, and considering we are carrying full cruising gear and dacron sails, it was a great result.
When the finals series results were published, we were delighted to find we had finished 3rd, 1 point behind 1st and 2nd place getters.
Tonight is the presentation dinner, here are some pics of the successful skipper and jubilant crew.
Steve with the trophy
Ron, Cherie and Ben
Steve, Di and Ross
Cherie, Ben and Carole
Series Results
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