Tuesday Night Series - Flight 1

The Tuesday Night Series (finally) got under way with a bang.  After two frustrating weeks ashore, the pre-start anticipation, in a fresh Westerly breeze, was palpable.  The stater's gun unleashed a surge of kinetic energy and the fleet of eight bore down on mark one, with the tide under it, it what must be the closest leg yet.  

All too quickly, it was cheek by jowl on the starboard layline. Undaunted, Split Decision (914) must have sensed an opening, or hatched a brilliant conceit, as she closed the fleet on port.  But Pryde as we know,  comes before a fall...

Note to self:  must remember to remove cloak of invisibility before race.

The Waitemata Triangle (between the Squadron the breakwater and the bridge) and has claimed your correspondent twice, leaving its unmistakable mark - a big triangular hole in the (port side) gel-coat - in two different boats.  And so, as Race 1 for Tortuga came to an abrupt end, the crew remained largely unfazed and retired to a plate of fish and chips and some grog.

Sadly this means that the remainder of the first three races must remain unreported (at least by me) and the results will have to speak for themselves.

It was great to see Captain Pete (716) out on the race course and back at Swashbucklers, where everyone enjoyed the post-match fare and a cheery debrief.

Megan Kensington and newcomer Ben Grew (a handy Laser sailor)  got three fair races away, quickly and efficiently as always.  RO assistance will be required again next week and we are looking for volunteers (sail@etchells.org.nz if you help)

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Next week we will introduce a rosta for assisting with the launch of the start boat and race prep.  If you are an owner or regular crew, your name will be on it.  Please make yourself available at the designated time and date and help to ensure that everyone gets a fair crack.