On reading the day’s BOM forecast while mulling over a coffee this morning, I thought, “Oh no...  Not again!”  20-30 knots, 1-2 metre seas. I figured some more bruises and another soaking were in order.

Fortunately the BOM got it wrong this morning and we were blessed with blue skies, flattish water and around 10-15 knots for the Jennifer Goldsmith Trophy with a few gusts here and there.  Jen would have loved today’s sail and for those of us who knew her, it adds something special to being involved in this race. 

About half an hour before the start the boats were out doing the usual mill around, hoisting sails, checking the start line, watching the tower for flags and listening to the radio for any information. The start itself was quite civilised, I didn’t hear raised voices or see any major argy-bargy, and everyone just tracked out nicely to the newly re-laid B mark.  It was a really nice reach, with time to get ready for the first kite hoist. 

On our boat, none of us had sailed together in a spinnaker race for a couple of years so we were pretty rusty, but the sail went up ok and off we went.  It looked pretty colourful all round on the way to C mark. We were doing just fine until that pesky gybe got us in a bit of a twist and we lost a bit of ground against the other boats.

The leg to D mark was a really nice reach for a little while and it was a bit unexpected when the wind dropped back to about 5 knots.  I think a few of the boats lost some momentum at this point allowing others a chance to catch up.  Before and after D mark I noticed a few boats changing up to their larger headsails.  We did the same and after a few issues we finally got going well under a number 2 headsail. 

The course repeated itself after that A, B C and D then finish, a chance to redeem ourselves and play catch up. The wind filled in again with nice pressure, so all could finish in time. It was a good course and thanks to the RO Amanda and the tower crew for being there to run it.  

We’d had a lovely morning and headed back to RMYS for lunch which was very nice, thank you Food and Desire.  Congratulations to Salamander – Monica Jones and crew for the AMS and IRC wins and 2nd on performance and of course to Roller Coaster for taking out the Jennifer Goldsmith trophy on PHS. Congratulations to the other placegetters on a great job and well… There’s always next year!!!

Kathy Wylie
Silhouette crew

For full results of the day go to: http://www.topyacht.net.au/results/rmys/2019/summer/jgs/series.htm?ty=04126
For Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series results to date:
http://www.topyacht.net.au/results/as/2019/ppwcs/ppwcs/series.htm?ty=08869
The next race of the PPWCS is on the 1st March 2020 the Val Hodge trophy hosted by RYCV 

Photos by Bruno Cocozza