For Champion of Champions the crew consisted of Audrey, Kathleen, and Nansi on foredeck, Susan, on main, Steve and Pam on winches, and Ron on helm. Ron and Pam drove down from a Saturday night wedding in Collingwood and Audrey drove down from way up north somewhere to make it. So we were a bit sleep deprived. The fleet was divided in three divisions, Stars, PHRF 1 (smaller boats), and PHRF 2 (larger boats including Circe). So our immediate competition was Blue Streak and Abra as normal, but also, the Abbot 33 Long Bow, the J28 Dove, and the Thunder Bird Strange Device. There were to be 3 races and the first gun was to be 11:00.
The wind was out of the north blowing over the city which guaranteed a very shifty gusty day. It was gusting strong enough before we left the dock to assume we would be flying the #2, but by the time we got out there it had dropped enough so that we were even considering the light #1. But we went with the heavy #1 which proved to be a good call as the wind velocity over the afternoon varied from zero to over 20 knots. And the wind oscillations were about 40 degrees. So it made setting a course a challenging exercise.
The course was set as a windward leeward NS, 5 X around. The starting mark was also the leeward mark, a decision that created some interesting complications as boats were rounding while others were starting or finishing. I suspect he won’t do that again. There was a delay as Graham waited for the wind to fill in a bit and settle down. He sent the Stars off first but then had problems with drifting weather and starting marks which delayed the other starts. Then it became clear that there was no longer a windward leg due to a major wind shift, so he abandoned the Star race and re anchored the marks and reset the weather marks.
And did I mention it was cold? So all this time, as we are waiting around out there all our core body temperatures were continually falling.
But we did get in three races. It was a bit of a crap shoot due to unpredictable wind strength and shifts. At one point the foredeck crew were counting the number of F***s emanating from the tiller area in the second race as Circe got severely headed coming in on starboard to the weather mark forcing us to tack for the mark that minutes before we were easily laying. Then in the third race we watched helplessly when Abra, definitely NOT laying the weather mark on exactly the same tack and location, got an amazing opposite shift lifting easily around the mark. Crap!
And the oscillating wind conditions were maddening for the foredeck crew. The instructions from the cockpit after rounding the weather mark usually sounded something like this.
We're going to jib the main and wing the jib on port
Get the pole ready
Wait, hold it - no - bring the jib across too.
Ok, bring the jib back and we'll wing.
No wait, we're jibing the main
Ok take the jib across and we'll wing it to starboard.
Pole ready?
Hold it, the wind's shifted back - get the jib back to port.
OK we're nearing the mark. put the pole away.
All said, of course, with the usually very calm, well modulated tones characteristic of Circe's cool calm helmsman.
The first race was going pretty well until we approached the starboard lay line at the first mark on port tack with Abra just below and ahead. Abra tacked on the layline in front so we had to delay our tack until she crossed us on Starboard and was clear, but by that time Long Bow was on top of us on starboard tack. We tacked as quickly as we could behind and slightly to weather of Abra but Long Bow had to alter course. So, by the time we did our 720 the rest of the fleet was gone. We finished that race 5th. But we beat Abra.
The second race I thought was better, but I must confess after 3 races 5 times around each its all a bit of a muddle. I do remember the wind shift described above. But it turns out we also finished that race 5th. Bugger.
The third race was best of all except for an "incident", again with Long Bow. Except this time it was she that was in the wrong, trying to barge at the last minute at the start resulting in a collision between our starboard bow and her port quarter and a crash tack by her to avoid T boning the committee boat. but luckily, no damage done to either boat that I could see. She dropped out of that race. But we sailed well and except for a minor incident of Ron almost falling out of the boat and being grabbed by Susan and Steve, We finished just behind Abra for a 2nd on corrected time. Dove was way back after finding every hole and unfavourable wind shift out there.
We never saw Blue Streak after the start. It was as if she was in another race. She was lapping the fleet in some of the races.
The final results in our division was Blue Streak first with 3 bullets, Dove second, and Circe third. But at the end everyone was exhausted and cold but strangely satisfied after a great summer of racing and sad that it was now over. Kathleen remembered to have the 2103 crew photo taken (to the right), but unfortunately Nansi was off rescuing Mitsy from the locker so missed being in it. And, of course Chris and Trevor were sadly missed in the photo and the last race of the year.
After a beer at the club, we were joined by Alistair (Kathleen's date), Ann (Steve's date), Mitsy (Nansi's date) and retired to 11 Seneca for warmth, more drink, and a LOT of food until the exodus for the 9:00 boat.
It was a great summer, a great day, and a great evening.
You are a wonderful crew, a joy to sail with. Thank you for your enthusiasm, your loyalty, your humour, your culinary and liquid delights, and above all your extraordinary patience with your skipper.
Looking forward to next year.
Skipper Ron
