Twinkle Travelling Well in Heavy Swell off Twofold Bay

Summer Race 5, Championship 6

Twinkle – a future star maybe?

The day threatened rain, and the low cloud hovering over Twofold Bay formed a lid holding the humidity to oppressive levels despite there being a good 15kt Nor’easter breeze.  Apart from Ruby, most of the regular big-boat “stars” were missing, but John Dickson had brought his new Sun Odyssey 36 footer “Twinkle” out to shine.

Thermopylae, Papillion, and Margaret D made up the residue of the five boat fleet that set off on an eleven mile course around the bay.  Beethoven called in just before the start to advise they had torn a mainsail and would be unable to sail. 

Marg D had a great start and bravely fought off Ruby for a minute or two until the Adams got into full stride albeit under a very limited crew, Jeanette nursing a broken foot and Anne again AWL.  Despite this, Mac had Ruby more than five minutes ahead of the fleet at Snug Cove after only 15 mins of racing.

The remaining fleet of four were tightly bunched and continually swapped positions, with the exception of Twinkle who held doggedly onto second place throughout – seemingly waiting her chance to shine if Ruby got something wrong. 

The wind proved very fickle, varying in strength as well as throwing massive and frustrating changes of direction at skippers (up to 40degrees at times).  On the brighter side, the rain stayed at bay, it was a warm and the humid breeze made for very pleasant sailing.  

The usual colour spectacle was dull as those skippers renown for flying the pretty spinnakers were not on the water.  Ruby offered a small highlight for the day as it rounded the Quarantine Bay mark for the second outing to Snug Cove.  Too many tasks, not enough crew saw Mac disappear under a wall of “green” water at his helmsman position as Ruby almost put her mast into the water.  Asked why he hadn’t thrown-off the mainsheet – he explained with a smile, that he couldn’t see it underwater without his goggles. He felt that the boat needed the deck-wash anyway as the sea-birds seem to have made a terrible mess in recent days – a legacy of the abundant food scraps at the fish cleaning tables.

Ruby finally crossed the line without further incident some thirty minutes ahead of Twinkle with the others in close proximity; all enjoying what was a relaxed sail by contrast with the previous week that saw some real carnage among the fleet, skippers and crews.

Handicap results of Championship Race 6 were Margaret D, first, Papillon second and third Ruby.

The club hopes to have the replacement Calle Calle mark installed next week so the fleet might once again enjoy the sail out of the bay and over to north head. 

Anyone wishing to enquire about an opportunity to crew on one of the many TBYC yachts can contact Roger Mathews who will be happy to pass on potential options.