Maritime shepherd the fleet away from a visiting whale.
It’s certainly been a different winter on Sydney Harbour than usual, while there’s been plenty of sunshine, the breeze has not been so forthcoming. Normally winter consists of light sou-easters and the occasional fresh westerly, this time we’ve had gloriously sunny days with westerlies around five knots or lower, week after week, with a number of races abandoned as a result.
Still, where else would you rather be, escaping the office on an uncrowded harbour with like-minded friends, intent on sailing and fun.
The ever-welcoming crew on NOMA.
As ever Forza 2 is the boat to watch out for with speed aplenty, though now starting 23 minutes behind the first boat off, means John and crew have a lot of chasing to do.
A new challenge was presented to the race committee one afternoon, as the fleet came together at Shark Island in very light conditions, a Maritime vessel approached to inform us that a young whale, entangled in some fishing gear had positioned itself (and its exclusion zone) at our next mark. What else to do but broach the post-race drinks and nibbles a bit earlier than expected!
Forza 2, NOMA, Sea Glass and Surprise were the hard core of the fleet and finished in that order in the series point score, with Reflection, Sea Twist, Resolute II and Dream appearing a little less frequently and Catty Shack and Chill Out sailing a few races before heading north to warmer waters for the winter.
