Hi all,

well never believe a fore cast.

Saturday, around Raymond Island race winds where solid 25kts. gusting more and seas a very nasty 1m CHOP . Only 2 cats started with 5 heading back to shore after getting to the start area and pulling the pin after capsizes and breakages or just good sense .

I was on the FCA Blade and ahead off the start and most of the way beating, but after losing some time getting knocked off the side of the boat and ending up on the back beam 3 times, the Mosquito of Niel J fresh from winning the state titles took the lead, Neil sailed a longer course on the other side of the lake, trying to stay in flatter water and it payed off. Whilst chasing the Mossie on a tight reach I was knocked off the side again this time landing on the back beam on the leeward side, so a capsize followed. I recovered but there was know way to catch up I was flat out surviving.

Niel now holds the fastest time on record 54 mins. For interest there was also 2 Formula sailboards racing, but after starting a few minutes late the first one did catch me after I capsized, but was unable to keep up as I sailed deeper down wind and into the gusty straits. Next fastest craft on the day where Windsurfers.

Sunday, winds where much nicer , 5-12kts. Two 3 lap windward and return races where held, with the cat fleet being me on FCA Blade, "Altered" F16, Stingray with spinnaker, Peter N Mossie with spinnaker, 2 Arrows. FCA Blade lead both races start to finish also winning on Yardstick . What a difference a day makes.

Monday was a drifter Drifted to start line, where wind picked up enough for the FCA Blade to fly a hull under spinnaker, so course was layed, but wind died again. The race was abandoned after 3/4 of a lap completed, with the FCA Blade in the lead.

Overall regatta results gave the win to me on the FCA Blade with, Peter N on Mossie second and Mitch on Arrow third.

Easter seen the Cobden fleet spread over two regatta’s the Mossies at St Lennard’s and Tom on his Laser at Indented Head

St Lennard’s Regatta Friday to Sunday no Monday racing. Friday Mornings race seen six A Class, one F18 and one arrow, winds 15 knots, just a perfect way to start a weekends sailing. Friday afternoon winds built to 20 knots plus and that short St Lennard’s chop. The fleet was the same as the morning except for a sloop mossie with spin replacing the F18. After an hour all boats had retired some with breakages. The score at the end of the day was three broken centre boards, one be-laminated deck and a two part sail.
Saturday morning race started with five to eight knots with a smaller fleet but two sloop mossies with spin’s and the F18 back on the water. The afternoon race was in lighter conditions three to five knots.
Sunday morning’s race was in 12 to 15 knots and the afternoon race was postponed until 4.00pm and sailed in 8 to 12 knots.
No Monday racing so the Mossies sailed up the coast to Indented Head just in time to catch the last race of the Indented Head regatta. We were invited to race by a number of the locals. The Cat started first in Div five with the skiffs and the second start didn’t happen because of lack of breeze. Our race was over at the top mark when it was cancelled due to a lack of wind.
All in all at St Lennard’s six races in every condition from 3 to 20 plus knots a great place to sail rigging on the grass at the side of the club with a small fleet of cats and mono’s about 15 or so. Indented Head had 35 plus boats mostly monos and a couple of cats. Both clubs are very friendly and well worth a look next year.

Regards
Peter