The weather conditions for the PJ Super Series at Sandy Bay Yacht Club were close to perfect with a building SE sea breeze on both days. On Saturday there was a briefing at around 1130 aiming for a 1230 start, the start was postponed for about 40 minutes while the sea breeze filled in. With the start line a couple of hundred metres off the beach it was easy to wait on the beach for the first siren. The course was similar to previous years with an two upwind and downwind legs and took about 19 minutes. Five of us lined up for the first start ( John, Tim, Dan, Gill and me) in around 5 to 8 knots. We repeated this four times in the steadily building breeze and by mid afternoon in 15 to 20 knots it was a physical challenge particularly sailing downwind in the building chop. It was easy to make a mistake and lose a place or two either by falling on the downwind or struggling to get the centreboard down fast enough at the bottom mark. This just isn't something most of us practice in our regular sailing sessions and the added pressure of knowing there are a couple of windsurfers just a few metres away only adds to the pressure. I particularly enjoyed the upwind legs and the challenge of trying to pick the shifts and maintain boat speed in the chop. Sometimes the right side of the course close to the point seemed to be faster and at other times the starboard tack out towards the middle seemed better.
Despite the fact that there were nearly 100 competitors on the water there were only a few times when the fleets crossed each other. It's hard not to feel a little nervous when an F18 cat reaching at full speed passes close by but in those conditions they were well under control. Between races we could wait on the beach though it was usually less than 15 minutes before our next race started, just time to dissect starting line techniques and tweak the outhaul. By race four I was definitely worse for wear and tear, the bright sunshine, dehydration and the physical challenge took their toll. A few of us had a meal at the Syntax on Saturday evening confident that the midday start on Sunday wasn't going to be too taxing.
Sunday proved to be similar conditions with a short wait while the sea breeze filled in. I was a little more prepared with a hat, some sunnies and pre race hydration, though feeling a little tired. Everyone seemed to have stepped up a gear in the first couple of races and some of Dan's starts were really good John however proved very consistent and while honours at the first upwind mark were shared by the second time around his consistently paid off and he finished the day with four wins. Towards the end of the third race the seabreeze kicked over 20 knots creating an extra physical challenge though the extra weight in the sail seemed to make the downwind leg easier. All in all it was a fantastic regatta, the organisation was smooth and the briefing was comprehensive including detail of the procedure needed to board a 60 foot super yacht moored near the start line if any competitor got the sh1ts, (apparently etiquette was to go below decks rather than hang of the rail like was done "back in the day"). The Sandy bay Yacht Club is excellent venue in these conditions and the large number of competitors and volunteers creates a real buzz. The food from the canteen is cheap and very tasty and there is plenty of opportunity to have a beer on the grass after the racing.
