Basin Classic 2022 – Sailing Report
Final organized on water event for this season. Sadly, as per much of this year so far, it was grey skies, some showers and virtually no wind! Not the best combination for a day’s sailing, but that did not stop at least 7 boats and crew joining us from out of town for the 2022 Basin Classic, along with 4 home boats, which gave 11 starters for the 11am start.
Our principal race office Phil “The Wind Whisperer” had jumped off his usual start boat for the luxury of Kingston Lady and had joined Shawn for the off breeze start in a light south-east wind. Spinnakers were raised on the start line, and everybody kept a civilized distance, so that everyone could get away without incident.
It would be a one tack run all the way up into Erowal Bay and by the top, the fleet was still fairly close together. Now out of earshot of the Wind Whisperer, the light breeze evaporated to a fickle zephyr, with some boats drifting along, but still moving, and others virtually stopped. The lead boats seemed to take what wind there was with them, leaving those at the back in search of any kind of movement. Hoping for something closer to the shoreline, Backchat found a new sand bar that they were not previously aware of and had to lift the keel to continue their journey. As usual their skipper Steve had once again managed to visit “a bar” without putting his hand in his pocket!
More rain appeared out to the west, and it would be the Sports boat Elvish, having a battle with a trio of Ross 780’s, Rossterred Off, Momentum and Obsession, and just behind them was local boat Southern cRoss. The Castle 650 “Serenity” skippered by the always smiling Macca would stay mid-fleet with another two locals, Backchat and Time Out dueling around the course, in the very light and vary variable wind.
Meanwhile at the back of the fleet, the smaller boats were still having a difficult time trying to get around McLeans Point, and it was the Race Officers decision to offer the back markers a shortened course, by going straight back to the Sussex finish line after rounding Ernie’s mark. Thus Division 2 was created mid race. This was done to allow as many boats as possible to record a finish (and also to allow the committee boat and crew, to return to shore base before all supplies had run dry).
Ruby was now leading the division 2 boats with Bluey and HooRoo fighting over the wooden spoon. A few hundred meters into the leg back towards Sussex, HooRoo decided their time could be better spent retrieving course buoys, so they peeled away, swapped white sails for the iron headsail and motored the rest of the course, following the fleet to pick up the marks.
With rain on the way again, the last boat to cross the line would be Serenity, with Backchat and Timeout deciding enough was enough and also starting up the noisemakers.
It was all back to the RSL Fisho’s shed for some welcome food (Thanks Backchat, and Rhonda), some liquid refreshment and the results/prize giving. Results below, but first some thank you’s.
Thanks to:
Louisa – Classic Organizer and Chef de Mission.
Greg Arnold – Course management and keeper of buoys (check spelling).
Phil Queripel – Principal Race office and good egg.
Shawn Macey – Start boat and paparazzi.
Steve, Jan, Graham and Rhonda – Hunger Busters.
Anita and the RSL – Social Welfare
Fitz – Numbers
Visiting Skippers and Crew – wouldn’t happen without you. Big thank you for those that travelled despite the weather forecast.
Full results and photo’s up on the website very soon.
Results:
Division 1 – 1st Rosstered Off, 2nd Obsession.
Division 2 – 1st Bluey, 2nd Ruby
Hopefully see you all again next year.
