Update Race 3...

We sailed Rce 3 in a light SW breeze - sailed the full course - breeze was just holding for us. Such tight racing. Here is a link to the regatta results  - it is updated daily. http://sa.sabre.org.au/?page_id=34
Race 4 was not held - there was insufficient wind.

During Race 3 I made sure I concentrated the whole time - focus, focus - remind myself of what to do - ask myself what I should do next. Any loss of concentration meant others came closer from behind. I was pleased with boat - had the mast straighter by half a hole on the shrouds.

Tomorrow will be a BIG day - Race 4 in the morning - 11.55am warning signal, then Race 5 & 6 after.

Morning Race 3 & 4

I spent some time in the shower thinking about today - I am pleased with my results yesterday - there were some risks I took - they paid off. BUT - I may have had some luck. The boat is only limited by ME - so if I can stay in the top third of the fleet I will be pleased - but to crack into the edge of the top 20% - that would be delightful. I feel scared about it actually. Getting the boat into the front row at the start is hard - and keeping it there is just as difficult.

My strategy today is - just sail the boat, get in the front row, don't have any infringements and sail a clean race - if anything special is to happen - it will happen. I hope we keep some wind though - the forecast is light and I don't find that as good for keeping focus out there - I focus best when I can feel the wind and the movement of the boat in the water and the effect of hiking and body position.

All that said - I am feeling more nervous today than yesterday.

Tomorrow we havae a dodge tide - check out the tide for 31 Dec to see what I mean!!! Only two places in the world where this happens - makes me feel kinda special.
http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/oceanography/tides/tide_predications.cgi

Race 1 and Race 2

Today saw 10-15k SW seabreeze which we all appreciated. Placings today for race 1 & race 2 for the Qld team were:

61, 37 Robyn Collins
66, 65 Anne Mussett
12, 22 Sue Hextell
9, 4 John Campbell
44, RET Peter Skinner
OCS, 44 John Nobbs
Here is a link to SA results page  http://sa.sabre.org.au/

The Nationals are great racing - but also socialising and having fun. Here is Jenny playing her piano at the '"Coffee Spot" - well its the cabin with a bunch of sailors who willing make coffee for anyone who drops in - which is what Anne and I did thid evening.

And ... here is a video of Jenny playing her piano .... sorry - my camera does not record sound

Invitation Race and Welcome BBQ

Here are some details about today's Invitation Race ...

- we had a very light SW breeze today (200 degrees was compass bearing to the top mark
- two general recalls before the fleet got underwy on the third attempt under a black fla
- the race was shortened, so we just had one triangle and one winward retur
- John Campbell finished 8th, best placed Qld sailo
- about 23 boats finished in the time limit
- John C was the only Qld entry to finish
- the rest of us were back in the fleet struggling against the tide and lightening wind
The forecast is for temperatures to rise progressively over the next few days - which may result in more light winds.

Pictures at the welcome dinner ...

Val and Peter

Anne and Robyn

John and Sue

Jacqui and John

Qld Sabre team all arrived

The last couple of days have been spent travelling.
All 6 Qld Sabre sailors at the Nationals have arrived her at Brighton-Seacliff SC, Adelaide.
I spent a very cold night last evening in Balranald.
It is cool here tonite at the beachside caravan park - I have a sleeping bag as well as blankets tonight.

Tomorrow is further registration and an Invitation race in the afternoon - 2.00pm start I think.
This afternoon was spent getting organised.

I am camping - typing this blog by torchlight. There is a band playing at the surf life saving club - which makes for a pleasant end to the evening.

Everyone has had some little incidents happen on their journeys - no injuries or serious damage.

the BIG drive

Flew Cairns to Bris on Thursday morning - first task once home was to get a renewal on my driving licence - all smooth - just took a bit of time.

Picked up Quicksand from Ian and Fran - great modification to my Sabre trolley so that the boat sits nicely. The boat/trolley has now done 1450km and still riding well. TY Ian.

Drove Bris to Gilgandra on Friday - slept in the car - no room at the inn!!
Today visited Janet and family at Warren, then Mum at Blayney.
Pressed on westward - in West Wyalong tonight.
980km to go - might get that done tomorrw.

Lots of water laying around low areas and beside road - well - many of the areas I have travellled the last two days. HEAPS of mosquitoes.

down the range to Cairns

Finished at the medical centre about 5.30pm, had the car packed from this morning - drove down the range and have found motel accom in Nth Cairns - same place I stayed on the way up. It's helpful to stay at the same place - they don't ask for a drivers licence!! The first place I tried turned me away - lol - their loss.

Having a meal at the motel restaurant - just had a tropical storm pass thru - now its just the rain - so my table is dry again!! I am no longer getting a fine spray of rain on me.

Alarm set for 4am, so I can get my 6am departure from Cairns Airport.

It felt oddly strange driving down the range away from Kuranda knowing I will be away till 10 Jan. It's a good thing to not be too connected to a place - otherwise you mis out on all the others you could have visited.