Around the Sound 2016
Hmmmm!
It's been a while since I last did an Around the Sound, but sailing on Saturdays has been my major thing. This year the race has progressed onto a Sunday so it's going to be a little easier to get up and get some photo's in.
Starting on Coffee Pointers, the club start boat, we left at 06.30 to arrive at Fremantle Sailing Club by 0800 hrs. We had Beacon one in tow as the mark laying and pin boat and with me were Mark Atcheson and friend with club staff member, on water boson and coach, Chelsea Hall. Just enough of us.
On arrival at FSC we were greeted by senior Offshore Start team member Cherry with the call... How do you have your coffees? Brilliant. A great way to welcome people. Many thanks.
Suitably refreshed we took off with Trevor Milton sorting out our requirements and directing Mark to where he would need to be. Same old place as before, and with Chelea's help, he had the pin in place and the day buoy set in quick time. We had 21 boats to look after with a few new boats ( to me ) to watch and a number of the older boats coming out for some fun. The breeze was definitely out of the south with a bit of west and of an easy to take 15 to 17 knots.
The snakes were thrown and Kerry murmured under her breath.." we're going to have to put a charge in for these". We've paid out our pockets for these for many years now. Fair enough sailors.. you enjoy them. Give Kerry and the offshore team a hand and a few bucks for the snakes you've enjoyed over the last few years.
Moving on. The div 3 and double handers got away well and with minimal hassle and then the div 1 and 2 boats lined up. I looked around and sure enough, there was WOW firing up something like half a kay away. She'd have a full head of steam by the time she hit the line and even though she was going to be late, any one in her way was going to be toast. And we watched in anticipation, as Sante from RFBYC managed to get a move on with a boat length or less to spare. Not that Weapon of Choice was any further away, just managed to get clear of my camera and disappear on port above the start boat.
Then a quick trip out to the day buoy and watch as the last of the doubles and div 3 boats rolled past and we then had some fun with the div 1 and 2 boats as they soared past us. A couple of good photo's there and our friends on Weapon of Choice gave me a cracker. Still wonder why there are two bloke before the mast though?
No results as yet, but I was delighted to recognise a number of current and former SoPYC yachts supporting this race. Many thanks to them and to the club for getting me out on the water for the morning.
It's been a while since I last did an Around the Sound, but sailing on Saturdays has been my major thing. This year the race has progressed onto a Sunday so it's going to be a little easier to get up and get some photo's in.
Starting on Coffee Pointers, the club start boat, we left at 06.30 to arrive at Fremantle Sailing Club by 0800 hrs. We had Beacon one in tow as the mark laying and pin boat and with me were Mark Atcheson and friend with club staff member, on water boson and coach, Chelsea Hall. Just enough of us.
On arrival at FSC we were greeted by senior Offshore Start team member Cherry with the call... How do you have your coffees? Brilliant. A great way to welcome people. Many thanks.
Suitably refreshed we took off with Trevor Milton sorting out our requirements and directing Mark to where he would need to be. Same old place as before, and with Chelea's help, he had the pin in place and the day buoy set in quick time. We had 21 boats to look after with a few new boats ( to me ) to watch and a number of the older boats coming out for some fun. The breeze was definitely out of the south with a bit of west and of an easy to take 15 to 17 knots.
The snakes were thrown and Kerry murmured under her breath.." we're going to have to put a charge in for these". We've paid out our pockets for these for many years now. Fair enough sailors.. you enjoy them. Give Kerry and the offshore team a hand and a few bucks for the snakes you've enjoyed over the last few years.
Moving on. The div 3 and double handers got away well and with minimal hassle and then the div 1 and 2 boats lined up. I looked around and sure enough, there was WOW firing up something like half a kay away. She'd have a full head of steam by the time she hit the line and even though she was going to be late, any one in her way was going to be toast. And we watched in anticipation, as Sante from RFBYC managed to get a move on with a boat length or less to spare. Not that Weapon of Choice was any further away, just managed to get clear of my camera and disappear on port above the start boat.
Then a quick trip out to the day buoy and watch as the last of the doubles and div 3 boats rolled past and we then had some fun with the div 1 and 2 boats as they soared past us. A couple of good photo's there and our friends on Weapon of Choice gave me a cracker. Still wonder why there are two bloke before the mast though?
No results as yet, but I was delighted to recognise a number of current and former SoPYC yachts supporting this race. Many thanks to them and to the club for getting me out on the water for the morning.
Around the Sound 2012
Friday night 2015 hrs
With good weather on offer, tomorrow should be good value. The RO has forecast coffee from 0800 hrs so we will be gathering at Fremantle Sailing club prior to that time event and will be joined by the team from the offshore racing group. Around 29 boats on show for the day and a breeze starting in the s/e and swinging to the s/w around midday . 15 to 20 knots will be on offer through out the day according to BOM....... I wonder what will actually offer as I am to sail on the river during the afternoon.
With good weather on offer, tomorrow should be good value. The RO has forecast coffee from 0800 hrs so we will be gathering at Fremantle Sailing club prior to that time event and will be joined by the team from the offshore racing group. Around 29 boats on show for the day and a breeze starting in the s/e and swinging to the s/w around midday . 15 to 20 knots will be on offer through out the day according to BOM....... I wonder what will actually offer as I am to sail on the river during the afternoon.
On the day.
As forecast the coffee was hot, and the breeze did what it was predicted to do. The offshore start team including a well known snake thrower trouped on board and Bernie Kaaks took charge of the race team and took us out there.
Out to North Mole and around the corner so that we had a good view of the coast clear up to Cotts. The boats assembled and came in for their dose of jelly snakes, with some surprising results. Kerry is a good shot with the snakes, but some of the skippers weren't coming close enough and she deep sixed at least two or three handfulls, Not her fault in the least by the way.
The time bell rang and we went into start sequence. A good and painless start for all the boats, with one or two playing catch up, but the breeze was steady and people were looking forward to a bit of pressure once the seabreeze came in. As we were returning to base after the start, I was not able to follow the fleet as I would have liked to. Hi-ho!
Enjoy the images.
Out to North Mole and around the corner so that we had a good view of the coast clear up to Cotts. The boats assembled and came in for their dose of jelly snakes, with some surprising results. Kerry is a good shot with the snakes, but some of the skippers weren't coming close enough and she deep sixed at least two or three handfulls, Not her fault in the least by the way.
The time bell rang and we went into start sequence. A good and painless start for all the boats, with one or two playing catch up, but the breeze was steady and people were looking forward to a bit of pressure once the seabreeze came in. As we were returning to base after the start, I was not able to follow the fleet as I would have liked to. Hi-ho!
Enjoy the images.