Raging Sprints
Kirk Marcolina
A raging August westerly greeted the 20 boats that sailed in our Pre-season Saturday Sprints. We had a delayed 1:30 start due to the working bee (apologies to our visitors from VYC and our members who sailed from RSYS). The winds averaged 20kts gusting 32kts W/WNW, except for a 13kt lull on one run, and a 30-44kt WSW squall late in the day. The strong wind proved a challenge with two de-mastings (good to get those out of the way pre-season!) and one rescue near the rocks off “Bethwaite Point”. Well done to Finn Alexander (PRO) and Daryl Lawrence on the Bergman, Rob McMillan on his RIB, and DB Marina for providing assistance. Thanks also to Martin White, Christine Linhart, Sara Brooks and Mike Dunne who were alert to the need for rescue and provided support in the very cold conditions. Sprints are on again this Saturday, with a 1pm start.