Well, we had our first race last Sunday, in a gusty 12-18kn. 'Stubbhorn' got the early lead to the windward and held it until the bottom mark. They got into trouble and 'First Try' overtook him! For about 1 minute. A slip and a capsize meant 'First Try' went for its first swim at Pt Vinnie and when we got back upright (after a few subsequent flips) 15 minutes later, the race was all but over and I was all but completely rooted! First Blood to 'Stubbhorn'. I will be back...

Round 2 saw us head out onto the course with once again, about 12-18 gusty knots of breeze. We were joined by our latest Mozzie, 1728 - 'To Be Sure'. Shaun and his son followed us around the course, not racing, just getting used the boat.
It was a one leg beat to the windward mark, which saw 'First Try' overpower the 5o5's and 'Stubbhorn', to be first around and head off on a shy reach. 'Stubbhorn caught me napping and overtook to windward to just round the next mark in front. I went for the kite, but capsized on the gybe. With some ground to make up, I re-focussed and upon round the bottom mark was not too far behind still, until the tiller extension knob came off, and I once again, went swimming! Getting better at the righting the boat quickly, I was back in the race pretty quickly, and was catching all boats upwind at a steady clip! It was as I was approaching the top mark again that my traveller rope let go. I had to stop to repair that, but still wasn't out of the race! Upon rounding the top mark, I promptly fell off the boat,but remained hooked on trapeze, unable to reach the tiller or mainsheet or anything to hold on to! Following this capsize, then another, then mast stuck in mud, I was definately no longer in the race, but in a pile of other stuff! 'Stubbhorn' definately sailed well in the conditions and despite having a few spinnaker issues and 1 stuffed tack, only lost to the winning 5o5 by 1.5 seconds!
I am quickly learning that smooth boat handling is a key factor to success in these craft. I am enjoying my steep learning curve, and am very happy with the boat when I can keep it upright!

HI all,

Well round three has been and gone and while it took me three attmepts I finally managed to:
a) Not break anything
b) finish the race
c) actually finally beat Stubbhorn!
Once again we had blustery 18-22 knot breeze from the south with a slight chop on the outer of the bay. 'First Try' got the best of the start and led around the first big triangle of the course, probably opening up a 90 second lead on 'Stubbhorn'. On returning to the Southerly mark after short running and upwind legs, 'First Try' went for the bear away onto the next reach and promptly pitchpoled when overpowered by a gust, sending yours truly flying ahead of the boat about 2m past the masthead. It took some frantic swimming to catch the tip of the mast before the boat was blown down course! By the time I had recovered, Stubbhorn had a 100m lead down the reach, which became only 30 by the gybe mark. On the return gybe, I managed to hold him off and lead by 10m with a 400m upwind leg to the finish. I managed to hold him off for about a 10 second win. It was a most satisfying day!
Badluck to 'To Be Sure' on damaging the deck during a slip and fall and misplaced trapeze harnass hook!
It now looks like there will be some closer Mozzy racing here at PVSC, now that I have a bit better handle on it!

sounds like you are having fun which all sailing should be about
keep up the good work
brett
1756

keep practicing as we might have nationals in qld.

Matt

that would be good but having the nationals in QLD
but would not be practical as so many of the mosquitos are in SA or VIC
i like your idear
the southport yacht club is hosting the 2013 NARCA F18 WORLD TITLE
they would have the resources

G'day all,

We are in the middle of a few weeks off of club sailing due to hosting the 2013 5O5 National Titles.
We will be back on deck next weekend (Australia Day Long Weekend) during our annual Gala event the 'Port Vincent Open Classic'. It is an event open to any class, consisting of 7 Races over 3 days! Should be heaps of fun. Will let you know how the Mozzies go...

hi Hack,

good to hear you guys are keen as. Are you all planning on coming up to the states in Wallaroo on the 2nd and 3rd of Feb. like the nationals the states are a non-spinnaker event. Be good for you guys to come up and get known to everyone and gives you a chance to learn some stuff off the rest of us. Hope to see you there.

Cheer Peter

Cheers Peter,
At this stage I think I'll be there. Stubbhorn may not make it as Brett may have to work, but they are keen. Shaun, on 'To be Sure' is still easing his way into it, but will be competing in our 'Vincet Open Classic' this weekend with his son. Hopefully he'll be a regular soon!
We are also making plans for next years nationals!!

Yesterday we were all out on the bay for about 3-4 hours in 9-15kn. It was a blast. I ironed a few bugs out of my kite and only tipped once! We took our kids/wives out for a few blasts and had a great time. We are super-keen!

Hi all,
We had a fantastic 'Vincent Open Classic' last weekend. On Saturday just 'Stubbhorn' and 'First Try' sailed in the 12-15kn conditions. On Sunday 'To Be Sure' made it onto the course and proved he will be a competitor, finishing close behind us despite not having a kite to fly!
'First Try' won all 6 races for the weekend, which was nice, considering my first few weeks of poor performances. We are all learning steadily and having plenty of fun, especially with the spinnakers!
Hope to see a few SA blokes at Wallaroo this weekend!

hi Hack,
At last more mozzies on YP. Epimagic back on the water at Turton after 12 months due to repairs. Looking forward to racing at Vincent. Also another mozzie to join Turton after states.

Hi Hack,
"Epimagic" has been repaired after 12 months and returned to Pt Turton to sail. Skipper also had a swim but looks forward to meeting the Mozzie sailors at Vincent. With the new mozzie joining Turton the YP now has 5 in the fleet.

Hi Epimagic, it would be great to see you at Vincent! It now turns out I won't be able to make it up to Wallaroo this weekend (family things have cropped up!)
Will you be around our way this Sunday?? It would be fantastic to have a few more boats on the water.

hi hack,
Unable to sail until sat week. Sailing MK1 this year. Looking forward to see you with spinaker. 2-3 weeks before I can sail at Vincent.

Righto Epimagic,

See you when you get there...

Hi Hack,
Changed plans so can sail Turton Saturday 9th 1.30 start if any other mozzies would to join in and then sail Vincent Sunday on the way back to town. Any chance of leaving boat there so I can come back and sail on 17th saves me towing back to Adelaide.

Hi Epi,

This weekend there is no club racing at Pt Vincent due to us hosting the Sharpie/Fireball and something else state titles on both Saturday and Sunday.
Due to not being able to make it last weekend I am going to Wallaroo SC on Saturday for their '3 Race Day' event (Heaps of great prizes apparently).
I think that there would be a few of us likely to come to Turton on occasions to race. We actually have an 'exchange' weekend planned for later in the season too!
I know of 1 excellent place you can keep your Mozzie if you don't want to tow it too much. I think it's $1 a day for outside and a bit more if shedded. Isn't that right Steve??? I'm pretty sure we're back to club racing on the 17th though if you are able to make that one!

Hi all,

This weeks results...
1st - 'To Be Sure'. Shaun and Hamish performed brilliantly to win their first ever official club race at their first attempt, despite losing their course card and having to ask for directions!
2nd - 'Stubbhorn'. Led for most of the race, but fell at the last hurdle, running aground literally 100m from the finish line, allowing 'To Be Sure' through...
3rd - 'First Try'. A bit of bad luck while rigging resulted in me being seven minutes late for the start! Managed to fight my way back to about a 2 minute deficit when my traveller line parted! Had to stop and fix it and ended up finishing about 4.5 mins behind the top two. Lesson has been learned!

I don't intend on putting our racing history up here every week, but thought Shaun's first win was worth noting!

Hi Hack,
See you 17th. Not fit enough for 3 races at wallaroo. I did go up to watch state heats and got tired just watching the mozzies in 20 knots plus.

Awesome weekend at Wallaroo. Superb hospitality and Race organisation by the club . Fair (and Strong) breezes once the sea breeze overpowered the fickle off-shore variables. Very close racing and finishes had by all.