Perisher Series Narratives 2012

1 to 4. The first 4 races held in the correct conditions for the series name, very cold and this Sunday 2 sailors decided to have a swim after capsizing and as one of them can assure you the water is bliming freezing. For completeness Peter Norman was the other one. After 4 races all very tight still with Barney doing well in his new boat and I have heard he has been out training, even managing a pass on Christmas day to practice, or was he in the dog house and best way to escape.

5 + 6. Races held in NW shifty force 2-4. One great disaster of the day had Hayley involved, starting in front of the gate boat who had to bear away and the hit Pete Norman, then Hayley capsized and her mainsheet some how got into other cleats when being rescues which then took off the ribs aerials and navigation lights. Now to the racing, Chris Guy won both, what more is there to say in these very shifty condition his pond sailing no doubt came to the fore today

7 + 8. Races held Force 0-2. 1st race of the day enough wind to get around the course and if you had that extra pressure all was good. Col led the way for a lap and a half then Mike Atkinson got a beat all right. On the next lap Ann did enough to get ahead and get line honours. The 2nd race was always very light and the wind dropped right off after getting to the windward mark all were happy to finish after a lap and others to be finished on the course so could paddle/fan oneself back to the shore.

9 & 10. Races held in torrential rain, northerly winds force 4 and 4degrees and it was surprisingly good fun. 1st gate start caused a few problems for the 7 who raced as Barney was a fair way from the stern of the rib and Ann was not able to go astern of the gate boat and the windward side of the rib. Close racing was had by all bar the last lap when Roger got away. Barney and Col were fighting for 2nd but on last beat Donald got all the shifts to get ahead for the place. 2nd race Col did a good gate boat and all got away well. Positions 1 to 3 were fought all the way through the race between Barney, Col and Roger at the end it was Barney the magnificent closely followed by Roger. A few capsizes through the day, John L, Ann, Donald and Mark.

11 & 12. Races held in summer like condition and all enjoyed their morning on the water even the Race Officers Chris Gorringe in his shorts and Nadia who  got awarded the Bell for Services to the Laser fleet after racing and a bottle of wine each for helping us in the Perisher this year. Although the sun was out the wind was from the north and had big shifts in it when it decided to give us anything to race with. Barney in both races made gains on the last beat, in the 1st race from 2nd to 1st, in the second race from 5th to 2nd. Ann had the best race in the 2nd one being gate boat all was perfect for her and held a large lead from the first mark. Hayley went out in a full rig today and manage not to be last in the first race of the day.

13 & 14. Races held in more summer like condition and a little more breeze at time 10 knots. A few of the regulars were missing no doubt through Mothers Day. 1st race had Chris Guy as gate which led to the perfect start and led from start to finish. Close behind was Chris Bower, Roger and Rosie who managed to keep 4th until the end of the 3rd beat. This race also saw 3 capsizes, a synchronised one by Donald and John Lyons and one by Roger by himself. The 2nd race also saw the gate boat, Roger lead from start to finish. Lots of close racing in the pack but no more excitement.

15 & 16. Sunny and initially very light winds for race 1 of the day. The beat was very patchy for wind Donald was 1st around closely followed by Ann. The others were some way back at this point. The wind filled in from the windward mark and it was 6 abreast going around the wing mark with Chris coming out best. The wind had shifted 90n degrees at this point so the beat, run became reach, reach. Donald got ahead again on 2nd reach and held it to the finish, Chris 2nd who was followed by Barney. The 2nd race had Barney as gate and he was late again. 1st to the windward mark was Stuart B and held the lead until halfway down the 2nd reach when both Donald and Roger got by and the former not relinquishing the lead all race although Roger dropped to 3rd with Chris 2nd. Chris leads the series going into the last weeks racing with Barney within shouting distance, all to play for next week

17 & 18. Sunny yet again with light easterly winds eventually. Today if you were gate boat you won. The 1st race started badly for most as the gate boat had a lovely lift and the wind dropped leaving most stranded a long way from the opening line. For triangle 1 the wind just about held up, for the leaders Chris, Barney and Roger the wind died as they went around the leeward mark and then shifted90 degrees right so those following made large gains with Donald 4th to 2nd and held it, Roger won. The second race was a lot fairer and the wind stayed about 8-10 knots and very steady, most pleasurable racing. Chris Guy won that race and with it the first series of the year. Barney held on to 2nd overall although having a disappointing last days results. Now it will only get warmer. Or will it? Easter forecast COLD.

On the 2nd Sunday of the Perisher Nigel Holland had some slight problems with his main sheet.....