WAGS 23rd March. Best Yet!

Crew: Mani, Rona, Rob, Mark, me.



Ships of the Line



What a fabulous day! The weather was fine and the forecast was good. We lined up for an anti clockwise rounding of Green via Hope Banks in beautiful sunshine and very little wind. Our start was within a minute of the gun, and with very little wind directly behind us we poled out for a run to the banks.

Dreamagic is settling into RQ Wags and each week we are improving. Most of the yachts here are old timers who race with the same crew doing the same jobs. They know the bay intimately and use the wind and tides to their advantage. We started with a Farr 1104 and an Adams 10. They had their spinnaker poles out just over the line and pulled about three boat lengths ahead of us by the time we had ours set. Once done, we all sat together for the 5 mile run to the mark. Had we been quicker at the pole we could have gained those lengths, that said our crew had NEVER set the pole before so a fantastic effort by Mani, Mark and Rob.

Overtaking!

Rounding Hope Banks the wind had filled to a steady 18 knots and Dreamagic settled into doing what she does best. Our initial tacks were a bit sloppy but again we have a brand new crew. By the cardinal marks at Green Island the boat was turning like a sports boat and we were pulling the fleet back. The wind had now built to some 20+, Dreamagic was doing mid 8's and everyone was having a great time. This was the first WAGs where we have got it together and we crossed the line just behind boats that normally beat us by miles, and ahead of many that we normally follow.

Parking was not the normal smooth event it usually is but we finally got her secured. Sorry that both Mani and Mark had to dash off but Rona produced cheese and biscuits, Rob serenaded us with his guitar and we finished the evening in true Dreamagic style.

Unfortunately not everyone had a great day. Dancing Lady, a boat berthed opposite us had collided with another yacht and snapped her rig. No one was hurt which was a blessing but the crew were in shock and looking very forlornly at a severely damaged boat.

Rob, Rona, Mani

Linda came down to join us for drinks and the four of us adjourned to the bar to listen to the singer (who was not as good as our own!) and for a race post mortem.

Ouch! Fortunately no one was hurt.

A great day! Thanks guys.