We had 16 boats entered for the day - and still there were Sabres in the shed at CYC!
Three races - the start is always important in short course. I did ok on Race 1 and 2 at the start, but in Race 3 I held back and didn't demand my rights over the barging boats - dilemma!
Race 1 was very very light - we all struggled to make headway against the tide. I concentrated I feeling puffs of wind on my face and the lightest pressure on the mainsail - via the ainsheet off the boom. Finally some NE breeze came to carry us home.
Race 2 I was very close with Pete Skinner - half way I thought I needed to shake him - so I tacked onto port to cross in front of the boats running down to the mark - Pete covered me - excellent - then I threw a tack back to starboard, as soon as I was across I called him and was headed for him mid-ships!!! To avoid a collision I tacked back to port and called for him to do a penalty - which he did. The look on his face - poor fellow - didn't expect me to do that - and it cost him second as it let Rob J get thru. I felt it was a glorious move on my part - yet unnoticed by the others I fear.
Race 3 Pete was fired up .... peppered Pete!! He went at the start - barging in ... lucky I wasn't agro!! or there would have been damage. I held the Corsair out at the start by forcing him up - yep - he was barging as well - so I got him out of the way at least.
I had the mast straight for the races, and the traveller back to the traditional style. Will have to see how she feels in wind - but certainly not a problem in the ligh stuff. Overall, lack pressure reaching compared to say Pete and Rob. Mainsail??? Dunno???
News on FRiday about the rest of the year - keep reading ....
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
50 weeks to go
... yep about 50 weeks till the next Nationals, that's not long.
Slow Hand is off the market - she has some punch left in her yet.
Besides I cannot get the selling price I would need to cover the gap to a new boat.
Seriously, it's the nut on the tiller. I am not going to replace it - I am going to revitalise it with a new strategy.
The new strategy involves - fitness and sailing smart.
On the personal front, I'm going to start taking some more risks - starting with a heap of LWOP so I can do some full-time study. If I get both accepted it will be a commitment for 18months to 2 years, and less income at the end. It's about finding what I will enjoy, and making sure the next 30 years are worthy ones, filled with challenge and new experiences. I don't want to walk anybody elses journey - nor base my decisions on should - this is about choose.
Went to Boot Camp yesterday - I was pumped. Too much energy to expend - even though I got fatigued on the pull-ups.
First gym session this morning for 2010. Go girl. I am my own fan club! OMG
Slow Hand is off the market - she has some punch left in her yet.
Besides I cannot get the selling price I would need to cover the gap to a new boat.
Seriously, it's the nut on the tiller. I am not going to replace it - I am going to revitalise it with a new strategy.
The new strategy involves - fitness and sailing smart.
On the personal front, I'm going to start taking some more risks - starting with a heap of LWOP so I can do some full-time study. If I get both accepted it will be a commitment for 18months to 2 years, and less income at the end. It's about finding what I will enjoy, and making sure the next 30 years are worthy ones, filled with challenge and new experiences. I don't want to walk anybody elses journey - nor base my decisions on should - this is about choose.
Went to Boot Camp yesterday - I was pumped. Too much energy to expend - even though I got fatigued on the pull-ups.
First gym session this morning for 2010. Go girl. I am my own fan club! OMG
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Home
Hi, I have emailed the Qld sabre fleet to let them know I am home - text is below. It was a long journey.
John Nobbs once said "the further you go, the more fun you have"- I think there is some truth in that statement.
Couple of extra thoughts:
- I did an extra 60 or 70km due to a detour reslting from the accident on Newell Hway
- truck drivers are professional drivers
- I saw two vehicles pulled over by police just after the vehicles had each broken the road rules in my vicinity (2 x speeding, 1 x crossing double yellows to overtake)
- the open road limit in NSW along the Newell Hway is now 100kph
- my CD player was running for about 65% of the journey
- handheld CB radio so I could listen to truck driver comms was a godsend
I am loking forward to my own bed tonight.
Sue
Here is the text of my email to the Qld Sabre fleet ...
Hi everyone,
Just a note to let you know I am home! Arrived this afternoon – it’s a long way from Hobart to Brisbane.
I knew it was going to be good at the Nationals meeting up with people I had met last year or the year before, but on reflection, an unexpected highlight of this trip was joining in with a few of the other Sabre sailors on the Spirit of Tasmania on Monday evening – we were all heading home, but the sense of having just shared an event, its up and downs, was very special.
I ended up travelling 5048km in the car for the return trip, at an average speed of 71km/hr and 10.8litre/100km; with I think 65 hours engine time. These stats exclude the engine ‘down time’on the ferry to and from Tassie!!
The only “mechanical’’ problem I had on the journey was loss of the pin from a shackle holding the trailer registration label holder – the new rego sticker was in the car glove box, so I bought a new holder at West Wyalong and used some plastic ties to secure it to the trailer. Yep – that was the ONLY car/trailer problem for the whole trip!! Thank you to the guys at Bryan Burt Ford, Tingalpa.
Thank you to Bronwyn for looking after Sally and the house while I was away.
The 2009/10 Nationals results are on the Sabre website ( http://www.sabre.org.au/tasmania/200910SabreNationalsinHobart.html ) , and my own story is on my blog http://sueby1.blogspot.com/
The Tassie guys did a great job organising and running the event. They also taught me to scull oysters, and some of the interstate blokes, during dinner at the Waterfront Hotel at Bellerive revealed the formula for choosing a second wife – the Nationals is not just a sailing event!!! I have a new email buddy – Jane from Tassie – she sails Kit 2.
I made some HUGE mistakes during the racing – hopefully I have done some learning as well. I only wore my drysuit once – it turned out the race sessions were a bit long for me to be wearing the drysuit – the hikers and warm top clothing had to suffice – the wife of a Victorian sailor suggested I wear a continence pad under my drysuit – but I did not take her up on the suggestion!! Chris Keil could not believe me when I told him the suggested solution and he just grinned each day when he asked what I would be wearing!!
The next Sabre Nationals will be at Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club, most likely 28 Dec 09 to 4 Jan 2011 – watch the Sabre website for confirmation of the dates.
Preparation for the 2010-11 nationals starts 14 Jan 10 for those who want to make participate and make the most of the event.
So now to the serious stuff ... the second half of the 2009-10 season ..... here is the calendar I sent in December, I hope to see you at these events and at club sailing,
Susan
John Nobbs once said "the further you go, the more fun you have"- I think there is some truth in that statement.
Couple of extra thoughts:
- I did an extra 60 or 70km due to a detour reslting from the accident on Newell Hway
- truck drivers are professional drivers
- I saw two vehicles pulled over by police just after the vehicles had each broken the road rules in my vicinity (2 x speeding, 1 x crossing double yellows to overtake)
- the open road limit in NSW along the Newell Hway is now 100kph
- my CD player was running for about 65% of the journey
- handheld CB radio so I could listen to truck driver comms was a godsend
I am loking forward to my own bed tonight.
Sue
Here is the text of my email to the Qld Sabre fleet ...
Hi everyone,
Just a note to let you know I am home! Arrived this afternoon – it’s a long way from Hobart to Brisbane.
I knew it was going to be good at the Nationals meeting up with people I had met last year or the year before, but on reflection, an unexpected highlight of this trip was joining in with a few of the other Sabre sailors on the Spirit of Tasmania on Monday evening – we were all heading home, but the sense of having just shared an event, its up and downs, was very special.
I ended up travelling 5048km in the car for the return trip, at an average speed of 71km/hr and 10.8litre/100km; with I think 65 hours engine time. These stats exclude the engine ‘down time’on the ferry to and from Tassie!!
The only “mechanical’’ problem I had on the journey was loss of the pin from a shackle holding the trailer registration label holder – the new rego sticker was in the car glove box, so I bought a new holder at West Wyalong and used some plastic ties to secure it to the trailer. Yep – that was the ONLY car/trailer problem for the whole trip!! Thank you to the guys at Bryan Burt Ford, Tingalpa.
Thank you to Bronwyn for looking after Sally and the house while I was away.
The 2009/10 Nationals results are on the Sabre website ( http://www.sabre.org.au/tasmania/200910SabreNationalsinHobart.html ) , and my own story is on my blog http://sueby1.blogspot.com/
The Tassie guys did a great job organising and running the event. They also taught me to scull oysters, and some of the interstate blokes, during dinner at the Waterfront Hotel at Bellerive revealed the formula for choosing a second wife – the Nationals is not just a sailing event!!! I have a new email buddy – Jane from Tassie – she sails Kit 2.
I made some HUGE mistakes during the racing – hopefully I have done some learning as well. I only wore my drysuit once – it turned out the race sessions were a bit long for me to be wearing the drysuit – the hikers and warm top clothing had to suffice – the wife of a Victorian sailor suggested I wear a continence pad under my drysuit – but I did not take her up on the suggestion!! Chris Keil could not believe me when I told him the suggested solution and he just grinned each day when he asked what I would be wearing!!
The next Sabre Nationals will be at Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club, most likely 28 Dec 09 to 4 Jan 2011 – watch the Sabre website for confirmation of the dates.
Preparation for the 2010-11 nationals starts 14 Jan 10 for those who want to make participate and make the most of the event.
So now to the serious stuff ... the second half of the 2009-10 season ..... here is the calendar I sent in December, I hope to see you at these events and at club sailing,
Susan
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Last night on the road - Moree
Yep, last night before I get to Brisbane - too far to do in one shift.
Have been running away from storms all day - drove through the fringe of two - but fortunately they didn't last too long. Thunderstorms in areas south were predicted to produce flash flooding - so I had to keep myself moving northward away from Coonabarabran.
Tried out the Chicken Chow Mein at restaurant beside the motel ... had the same dish last night at West Wyalong (ex servicemens club), and earlier in the trip at the Pearl Restaurant, Bega Hotel. I think the West Wyalong dish had the best presentation, but the Moree dish had the best variety of vegetables. The trumps dish was the Pearl Restaurant (Bega) - they had variety of vegetables, the best noodles and balance of sauce to noodles.
Back to today, here are some pictures - running away from storms - north of Narrabri, on the way to Moree ....
Have been running away from storms all day - drove through the fringe of two - but fortunately they didn't last too long. Thunderstorms in areas south were predicted to produce flash flooding - so I had to keep myself moving northward away from Coonabarabran.
Tried out the Chicken Chow Mein at restaurant beside the motel ... had the same dish last night at West Wyalong (ex servicemens club), and earlier in the trip at the Pearl Restaurant, Bega Hotel. I think the West Wyalong dish had the best presentation, but the Moree dish had the best variety of vegetables. The trumps dish was the Pearl Restaurant (Bega) - they had variety of vegetables, the best noodles and balance of sauce to noodles.
Back to today, here are some pictures - running away from storms - north of Narrabri, on the way to Moree ....
Water on the road??? ...........
...... noooooooooooo, it's a mirage!!!!!!!!
I am indulging in a glass of JC Chardonnay from the bar fridge - but alas - no wine glasses - so I am drinking it from a small beer glass ... something to remember Moree.
It's a bloody long way ....
I think I have about 1250km to go - too much for one day at the end of this trip - I will have to split itup - damn. Cannot seem to find info about any road closures due to flooding - so in the absence of anything on news etc I will keep heading up the Newell.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Back-track to leaving Devonport
Doing the Nationals in Tassie obviously involved taking the car and boat on the Spirit of Tasmania. For me this was a totally new experience - I have already recounted the night time return trip. Here are some photos from departure at Devonport ...
Slow Hand goes shopping ...
Slow Hand goes shopping ...
More shopping ... leading the Falcon astray ....
Chris Dance boat, car and family waiting to board ... we chatted while we waited ...
Salad & chicken sandwich and a coffee in Jerilderie
The crossing was smooth last night, and the Sabre group enjoyed a couple of drinks and buffet dinner together. Much talk about the races, the blow, the courses etc etc. The competition goes on off the water - who can pile the MOST on their plate and eat it all!! Wayne won!
I did have some problems last night - my recliner would NOT recline!! Bugga. I could only get the footrest out. So I just persevered for a while - THEN - a person in the row behind started snoring LODLY and ENDLESSLY - the couple next to me woke up - chatted - then produced tissues to break up and stuff in their ears. I thought to myself - this is NOT good. So I took my blanket and pillow and backpack bag, went round the the entry area for the recliner area, lay on the floor against the cupboards for temporary storage and went to sleep - YEP - on the floor. I got about 5 hours sleep - waking once to reposition. The trick was getting my head on the backpack bag such that the vibration of the motors did not reverberate thru my head. It was a lino floor at that! I am fine today. Have had one powernap.
Disembarked by about 6.30am and set off northward - inland route. I am now into NSW - Jerilderie, from here I head northward toward West Wyalong and Dubbo. Taking it cruisy sitting on 100k. Not sure where I will get to by tonight. Everything seems to be travelling ok on the trailer.
Mostly radio & CD entertainment this morning - the law report was on Child Safety in Qld, then a discussion with a researcher on the female g-spot and the cricket; mixed with my favourites on the Nationals CD I made up - Bad Romance seems to be getting a lot of play.
I did have some problems last night - my recliner would NOT recline!! Bugga. I could only get the footrest out. So I just persevered for a while - THEN - a person in the row behind started snoring LODLY and ENDLESSLY - the couple next to me woke up - chatted - then produced tissues to break up and stuff in their ears. I thought to myself - this is NOT good. So I took my blanket and pillow and backpack bag, went round the the entry area for the recliner area, lay on the floor against the cupboards for temporary storage and went to sleep - YEP - on the floor. I got about 5 hours sleep - waking once to reposition. The trick was getting my head on the backpack bag such that the vibration of the motors did not reverberate thru my head. It was a lino floor at that! I am fine today. Have had one powernap.
Disembarked by about 6.30am and set off northward - inland route. I am now into NSW - Jerilderie, from here I head northward toward West Wyalong and Dubbo. Taking it cruisy sitting on 100k. Not sure where I will get to by tonight. Everything seems to be travelling ok on the trailer.
Mostly radio & CD entertainment this morning - the law report was on Child Safety in Qld, then a discussion with a researcher on the female g-spot and the cricket; mixed with my favourites on the Nationals CD I made up - Bad Romance seems to be getting a lot of play.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Pink Eye and Kennebec
Pink Eyes and Kennebecs are types of Tassie potatoes - and I am bringing some home - if you are VERY lucky, I may share with you. WHY don't Australians enjoy their own produce????
Just sitting waiting to board Spirit of Tassie for night trip from Devonport to Melbourne.
Nothing ttechnical happening today - just reflection and appreciating this part of Australia.
Visited a friend who lives at Mole Creek.
Apart from potatoes, I have bought some Mole Creek honey!!
Any tips on getting a potato baking oven - gas powered type??
Just sitting waiting to board Spirit of Tassie for night trip from Devonport to Melbourne.
Nothing ttechnical happening today - just reflection and appreciating this part of Australia.
Visited a friend who lives at Mole Creek.
Apart from potatoes, I have bought some Mole Creek honey!!
Any tips on getting a potato baking oven - gas powered type??
Post mortem
Not sure where to start on this one - I could put the emphasis on my lousy performance in the last two races - but somehow that is niaive of me - I really should have dome better in every race - the sequence of races should not affect my analysis - unless it is a review of fitness/stamina alone.
Areas of improvement:
- finished all races (although the abandoned race would have been a DNC if not abandoned)
- overall stamina and general strength
- gybing (up to fresh wind strength)
- use of compass (but not sifficiently to improve performance)
Weaknesses:
- aggressive hiking in fresh conditions
- boatspeed (linked to above)
- fleet tactics; maintaining / improving position
- boat maintenance
- capsize recovery in windy conditions
Now how the hell am I to improve on those weaknesses ....
Areas of improvement:
- finished all races (although the abandoned race would have been a DNC if not abandoned)
- overall stamina and general strength
- gybing (up to fresh wind strength)
- use of compass (but not sifficiently to improve performance)
Weaknesses:
- aggressive hiking in fresh conditions
- boatspeed (linked to above)
- fleet tactics; maintaining / improving position
- boat maintenance
- capsize recovery in windy conditions
Now how the hell am I to improve on those weaknesses ....
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Morning session starts 10.00am
Expecting to try and get three races in today, to make a full series.
Forecast is NW 10-20k, gusts to 25k.
Hopefully with the river to ourselves we will be back up river a bit - the water is flatter in that area - based on earlier race days.
Presentation tonight.
Forecast is NW 10-20k, gusts to 25k.
Hopefully with the river to ourselves we will be back up river a bit - the water is flatter in that area - based on earlier race days.
Presentation tonight.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
WIND - all sailors ok
It was windy to start the race and then a small front came thru, some reckon 45k. I was under tow when the worst hit - having capsized before the start - broad reach situation about 4mins before start. Could not right the boat - received help - and then towed to Bellerive Beach - to join the others washed ashore there. It was a bit horrible for a while. Many capsized when the front came through. Some managed to sail home or to Bellerive Beach. The guys and girls on the rescue boats did a fantastic job.
During the worst, some sailors sat on their upturned hulls, to wait it out. Bugga - I had trouble getting onto my hull even before it had hit. I was pretty cold after being in the water, despite being rugged up.
I have not been wearing the drysuit as the race session is a bit long - I need to do a pee - and cannot do so in the drysuit. Jenny Dixon and I have come up with a solution - I could wear a continence pad!!! MMM!!! Many chuckles.
Tomorrow we have an alteration to sailing instructions, there will be a 10.00am start - there is talk we will do three races back-to-back to finish the series.
Early night for everyone.
PS One boat sustained damage to their centrecase, but apart from that nil breakages are known. Says a lot for the boats and class.
PSS Here is a link to pictures taken 31 December - on water http://ianjeanneret.zenfolio.com/sabre2009
During the worst, some sailors sat on their upturned hulls, to wait it out. Bugga - I had trouble getting onto my hull even before it had hit. I was pretty cold after being in the water, despite being rugged up.
I have not been wearing the drysuit as the race session is a bit long - I need to do a pee - and cannot do so in the drysuit. Jenny Dixon and I have come up with a solution - I could wear a continence pad!!! MMM!!! Many chuckles.
Tomorrow we have an alteration to sailing instructions, there will be a 10.00am start - there is talk we will do three races back-to-back to finish the series.
Early night for everyone.
PS One boat sustained damage to their centrecase, but apart from that nil breakages are known. Says a lot for the boats and class.
PSS Here is a link to pictures taken 31 December - on water http://ianjeanneret.zenfolio.com/sabre2009
AGM and wind
The AGM is scheduled this morning.
The forecast for today's racings is SW 10-20k, increasing 15-25, with gusts at 30
Glad I had that steakn last night
S
The forecast for today's racings is SW 10-20k, increasing 15-25, with gusts at 30
Glad I had that steakn last night
S
Friday, January 1, 2010
no more naughties!!!
It's 2010 - a new year and a new decade!!
Today, after my delicious B 'n' B breakfast, I went down to Bruny Island to the south of Hobart. It doesn't take long to feel like you are in the countryside when you drive out of Hobart. Kettering seemed a thousand miles away - its where you get the vehicular ferry to Bruny Island.
Once on the island I drove toward Adventure Bay. On the way I stopped to look at the penguin rookery and have vowed to return in the night-time (sunset) to see them come out of the water - but not on this trip. The north and south parts of Bruny Island are ever so close to being two islands and not one! At Adventure Bay I bought a couple of postcards and mailed them, and just took in the scenery. Not a lot of development on the island, but seemed plenty of camping, holiday houses etc. One side of the island basically faces the souithern ocean - so I would also like to go there in winter.
LUNCH - I stopped at the 'Hothouse' on Bruny Island - cafe set in grounds of gardens and in a hothouse structure. I lashed out - had herb damper, salmon, and sour cream with capers ... mmm ... accompanied by a glass of Bruny Island Chardonnay (delicious).
Breeze was up again today, and should continue that way the next few days.
Tomorrow racing resumes at 14.00 (2pm) with heats 7 & 8. There may (WILL) be a bit of traffic tomorrow - the King of the Derwent is scheduled to start at 2pm as well, with all the big boats - local anf out of the various races that end in Hobart - race a square course around the river - it is the single biggest yacht race event for the year in Hobart, attracting many competitors, plus heaps of on-water spectator craft. The course is around a square that maximises viewing for shore spectators.
The locals are puzzled that the Sabre Nats are scheduled to start at 2pm. MMM tomorrow!!! The Sharpies, sailing from Sandy Bay have the same 'situation' to contend with. Should be INTERESTING!!!
PS - I am having a bit of difficulty seeing the laptop screen - I am sitting outside in the shade at Bellerive Yacht Club - it is a bit galry on the screen whichever way I put it ... to compensate I am enjoying a glass of wine. It is in the lee and most pleasant.
PSS Results up to Heat 6 are now on the Sabre website -go to Tasmania and follow Nationals links..
Today, after my delicious B 'n' B breakfast, I went down to Bruny Island to the south of Hobart. It doesn't take long to feel like you are in the countryside when you drive out of Hobart. Kettering seemed a thousand miles away - its where you get the vehicular ferry to Bruny Island.
Once on the island I drove toward Adventure Bay. On the way I stopped to look at the penguin rookery and have vowed to return in the night-time (sunset) to see them come out of the water - but not on this trip. The north and south parts of Bruny Island are ever so close to being two islands and not one! At Adventure Bay I bought a couple of postcards and mailed them, and just took in the scenery. Not a lot of development on the island, but seemed plenty of camping, holiday houses etc. One side of the island basically faces the souithern ocean - so I would also like to go there in winter.
LUNCH - I stopped at the 'Hothouse' on Bruny Island - cafe set in grounds of gardens and in a hothouse structure. I lashed out - had herb damper, salmon, and sour cream with capers ... mmm ... accompanied by a glass of Bruny Island Chardonnay (delicious).
Breeze was up again today, and should continue that way the next few days.
Tomorrow racing resumes at 14.00 (2pm) with heats 7 & 8. There may (WILL) be a bit of traffic tomorrow - the King of the Derwent is scheduled to start at 2pm as well, with all the big boats - local anf out of the various races that end in Hobart - race a square course around the river - it is the single biggest yacht race event for the year in Hobart, attracting many competitors, plus heaps of on-water spectator craft. The course is around a square that maximises viewing for shore spectators.
The locals are puzzled that the Sabre Nats are scheduled to start at 2pm. MMM tomorrow!!! The Sharpies, sailing from Sandy Bay have the same 'situation' to contend with. Should be INTERESTING!!!
PS - I am having a bit of difficulty seeing the laptop screen - I am sitting outside in the shade at Bellerive Yacht Club - it is a bit galry on the screen whichever way I put it ... to compensate I am enjoying a glass of wine. It is in the lee and most pleasant.
PSS Results up to Heat 6 are now on the Sabre website -go to Tasmania and follow Nationals links..
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