Last Wednesday, we were advised by the BOM that there was a gale warning issued for Port Philip Bay which would be updated at 1640 hrs after our MWMII race. We cannot run a race when there is a gale warning issued. Still, our determined RO Nadine Tabak contacted the people at BOM to request an update before that time as the live feeds suggested that the wind speed around the upper parts of the bay could be perfect for a good strong sail. Her efforts were rewarded, and at 1000 hrs, the BOM lifted the gale force warning and changed it to a strong wind warning. As time ticked on, most people were aware that it was touch-and-go – some erring on the side of caution and wishing others well if they chose to sail, as there would probably be a few gusty winds along the way.

It was the consistency of these gusts that Nadine was questioning, and she, along with Ashley Shoup and Ryan Marshall, decided to make their way out to the tower to feel the conditions for themselves. Nadine said that if the gusts were only here and there, they might have a chance of sailing. However, she would have to call the race off if the gusts were coming rapidly.
They went, and almost as they left, we had a call from Mark Grinter (Xit Strategy), who was still berthed in the Marina. Mark reported that he had just measured a gust that came through at 33 knots aboard his boat. Nadine and her team braved the walk halfway down to the pier to try to save the race from abandonment but realised that the winds were coming in far more consistently than she had hoped, so sadly but safely decided to call it off.

Then comes Saturday, the BOM showed light winds so a possibility of a gentle sail around the course – and course 15 and 15S was selected for our J H McDonald race which took the sailors in a loop around the Bay. First heading out and then up to G mark near Port Melbourne and back.  Well, the wind didn’t pick up or do anything much for anyone and unfortunately, no one was able to finish the race on time so we had to stop the race after the allocated 3-hour finish time and everyone turned on their engines and motored home.  We still had a great ‘Best start time’ of 0 seconds from Arcadia, so congrats to their team on getting that result.

It was definitely a week of contrast for racing at RMYS.

Article written by Ann Rogers