Typhoon
Maysak meant we couldn't go to San Fernando, so the Sailing Office sent us on an Category 1 offshore course of about 360 miles, around virtual marks to the south of Hong Kong (at left), which the club called "Not the San Fernando Race".
A predominantly light winds race, Force 1-4, with occasional 6, which I characterised as "a mix of frustrating and exhilarating". To which someone said "that's pretty much the description of any offshore race", to which I say "True 'dat".
We had a couple of times where boat speed was 0.0 knots.
But we also had a great first night under A2 spinnaker with winds up to 25 knots, boat doing 12-13 knots (top score was AK with a burst of 13.7 knots), and a nice morning reach, winds 15-18 knots and steady boat speed over 10 knots.
We won our IRC Premier Cruising division, and came 4th overall. Great
crew work and camaraderie. No major damage, save a blown A1 kite on the last afternoon, quickly retrieved.
Some photos, with various thanks to Angel, TC, Jonno, Ken and Guy (Club Facebook photos
here):
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| Pontoon, RHKYC, 1 April. TC, Mark, Jonno, AK, Ken, Forse, Dan, Noel, Kiwi |
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| Pre start: watch that sheet! Kiwi, Forse, Noel, TC, Jonno, Ken, Dan, Mark, AK |
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| Light winds past Waglan Island. And Jonno's cool shades... |
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| More light winds driftin'... Noel, Kiwi, AK, TC, Shifty, Ken |
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| Kiwi and AK on helm, light winds racing.... |
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| Kiwi on the job |
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| Noel and TC check the AIS as Kiwi trims: plenty of shipping on the course... |
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| TC, Mark, Dan (aka "Shifty") |
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| The two old buggers: Ken and Forse |
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| Arriving back in the Emerald city of Hong Kong, evening, 3 April |
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| Canapes on the boat, 3 April, RHKYC pontoon |
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| Dan, Ken, TC, Forse, Jonno, Mark, AK, Kiwi |
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Prize giving, RHKYC 4 April. Pixie, Forse, TC, Kiwi, Dan, Ken, Mark.
(photo-bombed by the man in blue...) |
[PS: some folks were asking about the name "Xena"; where did it come from.
Here's a post on that]
Dear Forse,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for having me as a part of this great event.
I enjoyed it immensely and was blown away by how well the crew got on and worked together so easily. It was great to feel the camaradie and respect everyone had for each other even though we had not sailed together as a team before.
I cant recall a bad moment in the whole time. No egos, no anger, no shouting. Thats pretty damn special in my book.
Hats off to you and TC and they way you run things by involving and empowering people to do their bit.
It was one of the best sailing experiences I have had.
Best wishes
Ken
Thanks Ken, and you're right, great crew! Kudos to all crew, and special thanks to our inestimable Nav/Crew Boss, TC...
DeleteAnd great that Xena performed so well, with no major damage....
Cheers
Fors
Congratulations from the Sea Monkey crew!
ReplyDeleteEmmanuel
Thanks Emmanuel and big hat-tip to Sea Monkey boat and crew: lovely boat!
DeletePeter ("Forse")
A crew is of course, the sum of its parts, and each hand during this trip had something to offer.
ReplyDeleteSo thanks all, and well done each of you.
Agreed. A trip to remember for its successes all round.
Thanks Forse as well for the opportunity.
TC
Well done mate!! Thanks for keeping me back in the loop. Seems that you were all on a high. Great you are enjoying the on water experiences after the drama of last October. All the best, Padg.
ReplyDeleteFirstly Big Big Thanks to Forse and Jing for getting Xena straight back on the road , and back to business...and not messing about!
ReplyDeleteAnother Super Special race on Xena for me! Feel very lucky to be part of such a great crew, some not been a boat with for a long time(Shifty/Kiwi) good on ya a real pleasure...
TC top man
Some have not been on a boat with before ..(Ken / Mark) top guys great knowledge and cool heads.
Basically great bunch of decent fellas ...Great knowledge..Cool heads...and sense of humour! Guys I always learn a lot from.
Can't wait for the next one! Cheers.
Noel as ever thanks for looking after Xena!
AK - what's the situation with the noodles and hoops??
Hi Forse
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photo's and comments on the race.
Congrat's to you and crew on the result. Well done!!
Great to see you back racing the lovely "Xena"....
Best for now, Grant and Iris
Very good result well done. Obviously, you had the right team this year!
ReplyDeleteAlan Reid