Fickle weather affects serious sailors

THE weather in Inverloch created havoc on the last two days of the Serious Surf Stuff Series and consternation amongst yachties trying to win this series held between Christmas and New Year commencing on December 27 with the last day on December 30.
The series commencement was celebrated with ideal sailing weather with south-west winds of eight to 10 knots with 22 yachts taking to the water.
Visitors were welcomed from Port Melbourne, Black Rock and Royal Brighton Yacht Clubs as well as representation from the Impulse (class of yacht) Association.
The Race Officer set a very challenging course which used up the vast area of Anderson’s Inlet at a full tide and took around 100 minutes to complete depending on the skills of the sailors.
Sunday, December 28 revealed another ideal day with sunny weather, however, with light winds and a fierce outgoing tide.
Under these conditions the race officer had difficulty setting a good course.
The first race of the day commenced with 19 yachts with most yachts finding it difficult to complete the first lap in time.
However, changing wind conditions came to the fore during the race with the wind increasing in strength and becoming a southerly.
Sailors who had persisted were suddenly rewarded with an advantage over sailors who were more adventurous.
In the afternoon, the wind continued to increase in strength to 10-12 knots from the south west with 19 excited sailors revelling in the great conditions.
All sailors completed a challenging course.
Monday, December 29 dawned with an unpredictable weather forecast.
Warnings about very strong winds, hail and rain around lunchtime were being published.
The race officer set up the first course of the day with north westerly winds of 11 to 13 knots with an outgoing tide.
The race commenced on time at 11am with 11 sailors and was completed without incident while keeping a very close watch on the weather.
Early in the afternoon, the predicted storm arrived with 20 to 30 knot winds and rain.
Naturally, Race 5 of the series was abandoned.
The severe weather did not let up on Tuesday, December 30 with strong winds and heavy rain.
Races six and seven were cancelled with the visitors from other clubs departing, happy with the hospitality they had received from the South Gippsland Yacht Club but less than happy at not being able to sail as often as they would have liked.
The presentations for the Serious Surf Stuff Series over four races were held on Sunday, January 4 at the club rooms with the following results: C Class, first, Abbey Argus-Smith (Laser) and second Oscar Llewellyn (Sabre); B Class, first, Keith Cousens (Impulse) and second Toby Leppin (Impulse); and A Class, first, Wayne Smith (Windrush) and second Rob McNair (Windrush).

Excited sailors: at other times the conditions excited sailors while severe weather forced the cancellation of some races.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Jan 13 2015. Filed under Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry