Régate XOD at the Yacht Club du Crouesty Arzon - Overall
by Stuart Jardine & Jo Haill 8 Sep 2012 21:18 NZST
1-4 September 2012
The full series was competed on Tuesday morning with an early start to the two races whilst the prevailing NNE wind help up. Stuart Jardine LONE STAR returned to form after a poor 3rd days racing.
Race 7 was started in a moderate breeze off the shore. Lone Star made a bad start in the 3rd row, however good use of the wind shifts and boat speed saw her pull right through the Fleet to round the windward mark level first with Beatrix William Norris. With these two boats remaining level for the next 3 legs, Lone Star finally pulled clear at the final mark before the short reach into the finish to record her 4th bullet.
In race 8 the wind was fading gradually and becoming much more unstable, bigger wind shifts and shafts of stronger puffs. Willi McNeil in Zara chose to bang the left corner and picked up the best shift of the day to round the 1st mark well ahead. He never looked in danger to record his 2nd bullet.
Meanwhile William Norris was determined to maintain his record of 2nd places. Lone Star in a comfortable 3rd place chose to ensure they were always safely between her nearest rival Stuart Haill in Delight and the finish. Unfortunatly for Delight on the last run home to the finish, John Harding in Calypso chose to go out right, picked up a healthy shaft of wind and sneaked in 4th pushing Delight back to 5th. This left Delight's crew frantically wondering whether Lara had done enough to sneak ahead overall, but fortunally Delight's 2nd in Race 2 secured the 2nd overall.
All together a fantistic 101st year Anniversary Regatta and the first ever overseas to France. Our hosts at the Yacht Club Crouesty deserve a huge thank you, I think everyone was amazed by their Volunteer Members, nothing was too much on shore for them and on the water the Race Team of Tony and Annette O'Gorman gave us 8 great races. Plans are already starting for a return in 2013.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Boat name | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | X 119 | LONE STAR | JARDINE Stuart | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | OCS | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 |
| 2 | X 75 | DELIGHT | HAILL Stuart | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 20 |
| 3 | X 123 | LARA | MC NEIL Willy | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | OCS | 1 | 5 | 1 | 20 |
| 4 | X 178 | BEATRIX | NORRIS William | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | OCS | 2 | 2 | 2 | 21 |
| 5 | X 147 | FOXY | HALL Mark | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | OCS | 3 | 6 | 6 | 37 |
| 6 | X 90 | CALYPSO | HARDING John | 4 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 43 |
| 7 | X 162 | XENIA | TILL Mike | 5 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 44 |
| 8 | X 116 | MYSTERY | MILLER John | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 48 |
| 9 | X 105 | BLUE PHANTOM | BREWER Neal | DNF | 9 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 51 |
| 10 | X 0D52 | ANITRA | KELSEY Paul | 9 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 54 |
The last evenings's social
In quick time we we re all hauled out and the delightful Hall grandsons, ensured that all masts were whipped out and we were all tucked up and safely on our trailers, before the final results announced.
After the prize giving, YCCA again out did them selves in a display of fun and hospitality at the local golf club. Greeted by delicious Kir Royal and sumptuous nibbles, we all had a chance to thank our host for a memorable XOD 100 +1 regatta and William Norris gave a lovely speech thanking all the staff, committee and Annette "the Voice" and Tony, who complimented the fabulous race committee.
During dinner we were all treated to a magnificent belly dancing display, one of the dancers happened to be Morghanna from the yacht club! To say that X boat eyeballs were rolling all over the dance floor is an understatement.
Some were so overcome, that they had to join in! It will be etched in my memory for ages, top sailors jangling on the dance floor to Egyptian rhythms. in fact A certain helm, showed what a jolly good sport he was and danced so quickly, my photos are a little blurred!
The next day, some sailors had a rest before the trek home, to slightly chillier waters.
We were greeted by warm weather and flat seas for a our crossing home and made good time, with no dents, but the boat carrying a little more liquid .... in bottle form.