A Pic of the Trophies that were won over the last few months...

Pics taken by Ian Coward, the custodian of all the trophies...

DELIVERY SimonsTown to Cape Town 13/04/09
Siger provided the lift to Simonstown. It was blowing just on 20 knots from the SE in the moorings while preparing. By the time HP motored out the wind had dropped so the full main and a number 3 was raised. Rounded the Bullnose at 8am. Started to beat in about 16 knots. Just past Romans Rock the wind was up which neccessitated putting in a reef. A little while later a bolt on the Kicking strap sheared which neccesitated doing a repair. It must be noted that at this time the sea was up and the winds were just below 30 knots which had the boat awash and hanging onto the mast while doing the repair. After this HP kept on beating taking a conservative route to the point. Eventurally tacked for the point overstanding intentionally as the wave condition was up and it would allow for a better approach. The winds had risen to 35 knots and the boat was being tossed around. Eventually was able to fetch off a little which improved the motion and speed. Furtantel closer to the point the winds dropped to just under 25 knots. Rounded the point and reached off at nice speeds, less water coming over the decks. Decided to go below only to find the floor boards afloat and the bout very wet.. The casue, unbeknow the hatches were all still on breath and with the boat having a very wet sail for the 2.5 hours to the point the water was able to enter... Fortunately HP has Electric pumps as well as manuel so on with the switch. It took a long time to pump in any event. Bailed out the areas the pump does not cover and made the boat drying. Then gybed for Slangkop and reached down the costline passing the Tall Ship Europa en route as they were sailing upwind. CLosing in on Kabonkelberg tyhe wind started to die with HP having to resort to motor for the rest of the leg. Rounded the harbout wall 8 hours after start. Aboard were: Dale. Only problems was the sheared bolt on the Kicker and the water in the bildge. Great sail.

FBYC EASTER REGATTA

SAT:
This was a pursuit race witht he first boats getting off at 12h30 and us the last boat at 13h40. The course was a start, Castor, Bakoven rock, a bouy off Seal Island and finish. Winds were perfectly steady allowing nice powered up sailing. Using local knowledge we quickly started catching up en route to Bakoven rock. We hoisted the Kite and reached down to Seal Island catching more boats as they delayed hoisting as they probably felt the leg was too tight. At the leeward mark there were only three boats left to pass before Simons Town. We managed to take the lead just before Castor. As we neared the Bullnose we realized that there was no wind bekoynd that ands the little that would be found would come from another direction. We manaouvered as best as possible to get the best gain out of this. Red Bull behind us managed to maintain wind the whole way in but we managed to catch a puff just beofre them, quite near the line which allowed us to take first place. It was great sailing conditions in clean water...

SUN:
This was a Longer round the bouys race using the follwing as marks: Paddlers, Castor, Phoenix, a bouy in Fish Hoek. We had a good start putting us ahead on line almost immedaitely allowing us to focus on making up time. This we checked at each bouy and calculated. Using local knowledge we were able to pull huge gains and alwasy knew where to find the wind. This was a great race in perfect sailing conditions. We won on corrected time.

Overall we won the event. Aboard were: Ian and his brother Sean from New Zealand, Massimo, Michael, Siger and Dale. Boat performed well with no problems.

DELIVERY- Cape Town to Simons Town

Boat departed RCYC at 07h00 on the 4th April bound for Simons Town. Motor Sailed for the first section on a reasonable seaway. Just off the Llandadno region picked up a NE wind with lots of gusts, gusting just shy of 2o knots. The winds were a bit shifty off the mountains but made good speed. Halfway across the bay to Slangkop just as a Spinnaker was being considered the winds started dying off with HP back to Motor Sailing by Slangkop. In the Slangkop region had to dodge some fishing bouys.... Spent some time motor sailing up the coast. Eventually a SW wind came through starting with 20 knots which had HP skipping along gladly. It soon tapered to about 13 knots which was great for sailing. Saw Mike Horn's expedition yacht further offshore(HP went far inshore to cut distance) Called Nick Leggat their Skipper up and chatted. Offered to take some pics of them rounding Cape Point if they were keen, A rendouvouz was set up, also chatted with Phillipa Huttingh Squire.

The winds tapered back off so it was back to Motor Sailing. Closing in at the point had to dodge some of the "famous"kelp. The fog started rolling in which cut visibility to about 50 metres at times. Met up with the "big boat" a mile from the point in the fog. They followed HP towards the point(Navigated). As we got closer we could see the point and that it was not that fogged in as the area we had come from, We then proceeded to take pics in the clearing conditions. After awhile HP had rounded and needed to proceed to Simons Town and Nick and his crew needed to make good for NewZealand, so wished them well on the radion and continued for Simons Town. Plnty of wind and Squalls in the bay with HP making good speeds, the highest wind speed was just over 30 knots. HP had the wind on the beam until Millers point whereafter it shifted to the nose making the rest of the sail a gusty beat. Still, conditions were not bad in the bay and it was not cold sailing. Made Simons Town in 8.5 hours which is not a bad time considreing the amount of motoring and the headwinds, not to mention spending the extra time at the point. Packed the boat before making Berth. Tied the boat up, cleaned the boat. Michael Valcic was there for the return lift, much appreciatted. Aboard were: Dale, Boat performed well.