Leander 2000 Commentary - Day 1

24 February 2000

Leander Trophy Day 1

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO DANIEL....

INVITATION RACE...

Rigging...

Life is good. Nothing like waking up on a near perfect morning, knowing you don't have to go to work, and that you're going yacht racing (sorry Bevan). It was going to be an interesting day. With a virgin crew on board the 'Bus, life was going to get hairy if it blew its tits off. However, this was not to be the case. With a five to seven knot north-easter blowing, our light combination was going to be perfect. With some last minuite training on the way out to the start line we were ready for action.

We were set for the perfect start. However, every other ba***rd was over the line, so that put an end to that (well thats our story and we are sticking to it...). However, there is a g(G)od, and the second start was just as good, with Buster, As Good As It Gets (Akl.) and Acid Rock (Can.) getting off to a blinder. Fortunately, A.G.A.I.G bounced us off to the favoured right hand side with the 'Rock deciding to go out the left of the course. However a great lift up the middle of the course got us past Dirty Dancing (Can.) and A.G.A.I.G

Unfortunately for us, Dirty Dancing managed to catch up on this leg, which made for an interesting bottom mark rounding, with the 'Rock and the 'Weapon in close pursuit. The next beat was to be the telling one for us, with two or three boats sneaking past. We gradually got caught and were passed by five other Canterbury boats over the next few legs, finally finising sixth over the shortened course.

By now, it was lunch time.....

LEANDER RACE ONE...

Sean Milner and Steve MacIntosh, Chemical Weapon (Can.), winners of both races on day 1

A wind change over the lunch break saw us sailing a Nor-west course for race one. However, teaching your skipper to two-sail jibe on the way to the start line is not a good idea. Four swims and a kite ride later, we made it to the start line, while the front runners were rounding the top mark. However, we still beat Stealth (Can.) to the start line and managed to pass a couple of boats during the rather uneventful race (well, for us anyway). Ah well......better luck in the next race.

In the break between races, one of the crews decided to use their prod as a spring board. Not a good idea, as someone bouncing on a prod is likely to end in grief. Good thing for them the race was abandoned due to light airs......

Until tomorrow,
Daniel.

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TIM'S BIT.....Meridian Energy

INVITATION RACE

The tide pushed most of the fleet over the line, however the general concensus observation from most crews was "We were behind the line - everyone else was over!" The second start into the light north-east breeze was much closer.

Buster Bloodvessel (Can.) led round the first two marks before being hauled in by Acid Rock (Can.) and Chemical Weapon (Can.). A surprise up with the front runners was Sydenham Bakery (Can.), sixth round the top mark in an excellent effort. Meanwhile, Meridian Energy (Can.), Smit Miller and Associates (Akl.), Dimension Polyant Sail Cloth (Akl.) were locked in their own private battle in the middle of the fleet.

The race continued into the very light airs with no great changes in the placings. however, that was not the end of the drama. A misunderstanding over the shortened course cost the Rock the lead, handing the race to the 'Weapon, eventually finishing second.

LEANDER RACE ONE

Light Airs...

Meridian Energy got a great view of the start from behind the line. Running over weed and having to clean it off 20 seconds defore the start is not a good look. Stage Coach (Wgn.) got the pick of the starts at the favoured pin end. In clear air, StageCoach was able to move to the favoured left hand side of the course, whereas most of the fleet was forced to tack for clear air.

StageCoach was first to the top mark with a healthy lead, followed by the 'Weapon. The rest of the leading pack was a bit off the pace. The next two circuits were procession like, with positions only changing in the pack. The breeze was starting to ease.

Coming into the final beat, StageCoach covered the 'Weapon and the leading pack to the right. The second bunch around the mark tacked to the left of the course as the leaders and following boats struggled in the light airs. Acid Rock (Can.) and MoreFM (Can.) did very well as the breeze swung left. The whole fleet closed up and StageCoach lost the lead. The 'Weapon held their own and Meridian Energy bit the bullet and went to the left to consolidate their position. Acid Rock was the big winner, rounding the top mark first followed by the 'Weapon. Meridian Energy was third round the mark with a large pack in hot pursuit. The three lead boats pulled away in clear air with the Weapon first and the 'Rock second (being unsure of the course...again) and Meridian Energy third.

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Jony's Masters Report

Masters Ken Camp and Alistair Bell in R520, Finale

The Leander Masters kicked off with a perfect oldies breeze. In fact some of the legends including Mick Pinkney and Terry Brandon were in amongst the woodless boats and doing very nicely.

Ken Camp and Alastair Bell overheated during the second downwind leg and rolled over to cool off. Richard & Jaquie in Salty Dog cruised through without a kite but may look to adding some more Horsepower later on in the week.

The Freezing Hot team of Jony (Russell) Smith and Steve (Brad) Mander looked very impressive for the first 300 yds but due to suspect tactics and plastic bags on the foils slipped back to the rear of the fleet.

Special sailing instructions for the Masters mean that it could be very expensive at the bar for those A division boats that are behind any masters boat at the top mark. Tomorrow,things get really serious and wallets will be opened for sure.

Stay tuned for Race two developments.

• Picture credits....Linda Roe