As your Race Officer (RO) for the 9-Nov Wed Twilight race, I would like to share a few thoughts.
- Winds were predicted to be light from the north.
- An hour before the race they were about 8 kts from the north, perhaps a bit more than expected.
- Then the wind dropped to almost nothing.
- Shortly thereafter the wind came in from the south at around 8-10 kts. WTF!
- We arrived at the tower, and the winds settled to a consistent 10-12 kts.
- Our ‘newbies’ in the tower were assigned to identify all boats as they left the marina and moorings.
- With that task under control, I threw Ann Rogers into the RO role!
- Ann made the required radio call to the Melbourne port authority and managed all radio communications with the fleet thereafter.
- We then discussed the course options. Our pursuit handicaps are set for a 100 minute race for the slowest boat meaning that with a 1600 start all boats should finish around 1940.
- We set a downwind start for two reasons: (1) they work for pursuit starts which can be dangerous for all-in starts and (2) we can identify boats more easily on approach to the finish.
- Nearing the end of the race the whole fleet was coming together on their way towards E-mark so we were preparing for a crazy finish.
- And then the wind died!
- Sunset was at 2003.
- Our rules say that the time limit is 10 minutes before sunset, meaning 1953.
- With our first boat still 50m away from the line we had to make the final call !-(
Everyone who was on the water was a winner :-)
Written by David Taylor
Picture by Ann Rogers dated 29/10/2022
