Chemical Weapon blitzes the Sydenham Bakery South Island Championships

Akaroa, over Labour Weekend, was the venue for this years South Island Champs. The Weapon's, Sean Milner and Steve MacIntosh, seized this as an opportunity to give the boys another good lesson, by winning all five races. And were only under any pressure in Race 1.

After last weeks eventful launch Danny Folter and Paul McGibbon with the new Montana Bakery were looking to have a more pleasant experience and start tuning the machine. The Sydenham Bakery boys, Bevan Hussey and Lance Smith, decided that they had procrastinated enough, and it was time to see if the winter hiatus had improved their moderate breeze speed. Gryphon after a vigorous winter programme was well prepared as ever, with Philip Royds and UK import Ryan Lee keen to do well. Paul Roe and Jason Russell had to resurrect VR as the new boat is still not finished.

As usual the Akaroa weather was brilliant both days. A little wind before 11am, building to a nice breeze in the afternoon, considerately dying off late afternoon just in time for post race drinks on the club balcony.

Saturday

Race 1. No Wind. Rig anyway and wait for a bit. Start postponed till 11:45. They've set a simple drag race course. ASC -> Wainui -> Tikau -> ASC. At last the southerly breeze is coming in, 7-8kts by the start, and port tack to the first mark. The fleet stays close packed for half the beat until Chemical Weapon became bored and tacked away, Gryphon followed. The breeze slowly lifts to just twin wiring. Sydenham Bakery edges away from VR and Montana Bakery to lead round the first mark. The Weapon rounds second, and after fluttering the kite a bit, generously falls over, allowing the others though. The nice ride down to Tikau allows VR to haul in Sydenham Bakery, watch them fall in, and consolidate a nice lead. It's all to no avail as Chemical Weapon's superior two-sail reaching speed ultimately brings victory.

Race 2. Quick lunch. 13:30 start. Excellent twin wiring breeze. Same course as this morning - twice around - for good measure. The Weapon is off after the start and never really seen again. Nice ride up wind, although the spray is damn cold. Best not capsize then. Now we've consolidated our position at the back of the fleet, we can watch the fun at the first mark. The top mark is carefully set 50m off the rocks. If you're careful you can bear off gybe, pull up the kite, avoid the rocks and you're off. Being adventurous types the Montana Bakery guys find that too simple and decide to put themselves under pressure, capsizing as they are pulling up the kite. Since we didn't do any thinking earlier we've cunningly got the kite organised for a windward set. Which seems ok till the clew somehow gets tangled around the jib. Finally its freed, but still being a good few meters from top a quick swim is in order. Now that we've refreshed our memories at to how not to do a windward set, the second one goes smoothly. Montana Bakery looks good well ahead with the big bag. And I think that must be Chemical Weapon by the bottom mark. Looks like a good time for a few boats to wimp out. Montana Bakery some how breaks the spreaders off the prod. Gryphon's Ryan attempts to force his knee under the startboard centrecase brace, which unsurprisingly pulls away from the hull, they seem to think that a twisted knee and broken case is reason to retire. I'm sure Sydenham Bakery had some, excuse as well. So VR is now last. We can still see The Weapon so there's still hope. They could fall over, 3 times should be enough. Oh well, at least the rides are nice.

Sunday

No Wind. Lunch from the Akaroa Bakery on the foreshore, then a impromptu Canterbury R Class Squadron meeting was held to fill in time. Another nice southerly sea breeze is filling in. Great for the planned sprint races. The course is decided, top mark is the cruising club start line, buttom mark is the 5kt marker to the NE of the main wharf.

Races 3-5

1. great races were run back to back in an ideal amount of breeze. Sean and Steve were never really challenged and had some good views of the other boats all converging on the bottom mark. Sydenham Bakery showed good upwind speed resulting in a well deserved second in race 4. Great fun for all especially the spectators on the main wharf.

VR's 4 second placings saw them convincingly win the Cliff Papps Trophy.

Thanks to Sydenham Bakery for sponsoring the SI Champs.

SYDENHAMBAKERY South Island Championships

21-10-2000

Position	Boat		Race 1	Points	Race 2	Points	Race 3	Points	Race 4	Points	Race 5	Points	Total Points
1	R582	Chemical Weapon	1	100	1	100	1	100	1	100	1	100	500
2	R554	VR	2	80	2	80	2	80	3	66.667	2	80	386.667
3	R588	SYDENHAMBAKERY	5	50	DNF	28.968	4	57.143	2	80	3	66.667	282.778
4	R563	Gryphon	4	57.143	DNF	28.968	5	50	4	57.143	4	57.143	250.397
5	R594		3	66.667	DNF	28.968	3	66.667	5	50	DNF	25	237.302
Position	Boat		Race 1	Points	Race 2	Points	Race 3	Points	Race 4	Points	Race 5	Points	Total Points

SYDENHAMBAKERY South Island Championships Entrants

21-10-2000

Boat		Skipper	Crew	Squadron	Details
R554	VR	Paul Roe	Jason Russell	Canterbury
R563	Gryphon	Philip Royds	Ryan Lee	Canterbury
R582	Chemical Weapon	Sean Milner	Steve MacIntosh	Canterbury
R588	SYDENHAMBAKERY	Bevan Hussey	Lance Smith	Canterbury
R594		Danny Folter	Paul McGibbon	Canterbury
Boat		Skipper	Crew	Squadron	Details