Race 20, Club Championship Heat 3, Autumn Series Heat 5

Race report

The one that nearly got away

In the 24 hours before the race, Sydney had experienced rain and windy conditions making for an unpleasant Friday, especially with temperatures that the BOM had described as “feels like 10 degrees”. Saturday morning’s forecast was a little better with sunshine replacing the cold and wet conditions, but with SW winds predicted to be in the high teens and gusting 25-30 knots. It was little wonder that the Sailing Committee was called together to discuss whether it would be safe for racing.

Conditions seemed to be abating when the news arrived that the 18s would be racing. But it was a near thing and great news that we would be sailing the final race for the season and not sitting on the shore.

Seven starters greeted the Committee Boat that had anchored in Athol Bight. The No.5 course had been signalled for the day. It was blowing on average SW, but the breeze was backing and veering, with every sign that the southerly influence would exert itself.

Now, anything with south in it at this time of the year is usually hard and cold. And anything with west in it is almost certainly going to swing around with frequent sudden gusts. All in all, it can be a challenging combination. That probably led our PRO, Steve Kidson, to choose the No. 5 course (keeping the fleet in the main harbour) rather than the southerly course that arguably would have meant harder conditions with the longer fetch between Clark Island and Chowder Bay.

Aberdare (Michael “Flipper” Carter) was late to the scratch start after having to finalise work on her new small jib. Everyone else had also gone for the small gear and reefs in the main, none more so than Australia (Marshall Flanagan) with two reefs that would prove costly later in the race.

It was always likely that the No.5 course would be a reaching course, both up and down. Yendys (Warren “Wazza” Miller) had assessed the situation before the start that it was likely to mean no tack required to get to the Kurraba top mark. Yendys ran the line from the pin risking a port tack start at the boat end and, saving a tack needed by the starboard tack starters, established a lead of about 100 metres over Australia IV that she barely increased at all by the end of the race.

Crews had to be on their toes in the gusty conditions. There was no settling down with weight having to move to cope with holes in the breeze (and the occasional lee from the ferries). At times it was 5-6 knots, followed by gusts of 20 knots. At the Kurraba mark, the skiffs were faced with a gybe to round to starboard and safety first meant that a granny was chosen by Yendys (and the rest of the fleet) when she rounded Kurraba 2 minutes ahead of A4. The Mistake (Jerry Tickner) was a further 2 minutes back in third, followed by Tangalooma (Neville Turbit), Australia, Aberdare and Scot (David Paget) close together in that order.

From then on, it was a bit of a procession since there were to be no tacking contests for the rest of the race. This actually gave an advantage to the skiffs with a reputation for being fast off a wind and quick to plane. A4 managed to close the gap on Yendys several times and neither boat could get away from The Mistake. Aberdare also had caught up after her late start. All of those three skiffs are renowned speedsters off a wind.

At Shark Island, Yendys had maintained the 2 minute lead over A4. The Mistake, too, had not allowed the leaders to get away and was third around.

The run down to Kurraba was a two-sail reach, with no consideration needed as to whether or not to risk a kite. There was still a lot of west in the breeze making it simply too tight to carry a spinnaker. Just as well, perhaps, as the breeze had strengthened with a little more south in it. While that meant heavy work for the sheet hands, it also meant that there might be a chance for a fast kite run on the final run home.

There was no change in the order at Kurraba, nor after a single tack up to the No. 2 Naval Buoy. Around the Buoy and heading for the line, Yendys soon popped her No. 4 peak head spinnaker and was away for the finish. Despite plenty of heavy gusts that towed her on her ear in the direction of Shell Cove, lighter breeze the further down the Harbour she went meant that Yendys carried her spinnaker over the line and took the honours. A4 also had set a small peak head reaching kite and came in second, preserving the 2 minute gap that she had kept throughout the race. The Mistake came in third, four and half minutes behind A4. They were followed by Tangalooma and Aberdare who just pipped Australia (and her small sail area) by a mere 3 seconds. Scot and her fun-loving crew brought up the rear, meaning that on a really difficult day, all skiffs had been sailed really well with the sort of seamanship that augurs well for heavy days in the future.

On handicap, the short, reaching race meant that the long markers picked up the prizes. The Mistake was first, followed by Tangalooma and Australia. A4, Scot, Yendys and Aberdare followed.

Special mention to SFS Club Captain, Eloise Clarke for (amongst other things) maintaining the race results in the results platform.

Back at Careening Cove, the beers (and a few tots of rum it is reported) came out to celebrate the end of a great season. Then, on the deck, the aroma of spicy lamb doner kebabs, provided by our very own Turkish foodie, Henry, greeted hungry sailors as the presentation got underway and the end-of-season party continued (for some) well into the night. Thanks very much for that, Henry. It was a real treat, a first for the Squaddie deck and very much appreciated by all of us.

So, that’s a wrap for the 25-26 Season. Well almost a wrap … four skiffs (The Mistake, A4, Scot and Yendys) are entered in the inaugural Royal Prince Edward Classic Regatta on April 11th. We shall let you know how we all get on!

And finally, a huge THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS for being there on Saturday and for the whole season too. Having three RIBs out on Saturday in the heavy conditions was an essential safety measure, as it is every week. Thanks also to Steve Kidson and Rob Gordon for wrangling the Killo through to the end of the season. Also to our CEO, Rolf Cohen, who abandons his management duties on Saturdays whenever needed to add the Wood Duck RIB to our rescue team. To all of our volunteers, we really do mean it when we say that we couldn’t do it without you all!

Stay tuned to The Ringtale. Plans are underway for various activities during the winter to work on the boats and participate in the many jobs around the Club. We are also aiming for some coaching and technical sessions that will be a great opportunity for our new sailors and our wider membership to get involved in the wonderful world of sailing.

Have a great Easter break.

SFS Presentation Night

Saturday 18th April 2026

TICKETS $90 Book online at: https://sevn.ly/xsllsqte

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The printed report, with its photographs, is on the page for Race Report 28 March 2026 in the news archive.