BPYC Spring Series 2020 - Report Lady's Day Race 6, 08 November 2020

Race 6 was the Annual BPYC Lady’s Day Race.

There is a brief recall of the experiences directly from our intrepid Lady skippers:

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Alissa Braden, BLUE SKY

Having the opportunity to be able to skipper a J109 at 13 year of age and being able to place reasonably well was so empowering to say the least. At the beginning of the day in the pre-start, the nerves began to kick in but the great supportive crew and I pushed though and managed to have a great start.

We chose to reach to the East Channel mark which set us up for 1 spinnaker run to Manly West. This was great fun and we absolutely powered though, getting some 15-20 kt gusts and amazing lifts, helping us reach a max of 8kt boat speed. Once the spinnaker had been fully raised, I got extremely nervous for some reason and I started to shake after we got a bullet of 24kts, consequently making us round up. I was pretty terrifying but we managed to push though and get some great boat speed and smashed it though the relatively big offshore waves coming though the heads.

Although we had a small problem dropping the spinnaker we had a great mark rounding and on the first upwind leg, catching some amazing lifts and managing to make it all the way to the first top EC mark in 2 perfect tacks.

Overall, it was an extraordinary experience and I’d be honoured to do it again next year.

Congratulations to all the lady helms who competed in the race. It was challenging conditions and we all sailed well.

thanks, Alissa 

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Cad Currie, CONQUISTA

Ladies Day was adrenaline filled (for me at least) and a great race. Not having helmed Conquista at all (nor helmed a Ladies Day race for 10 years) and with more breeze than forecast, I was a little nervous, but benefitted enormously from a rather haphazard pre-race sail around the start line as I tried to get a feel for the helm (v handy that we didn’t all start at the same time… that’s all I can say).

Craig fortuitously added the tiller extension to lighten the helm, and with our stalwart crew in top form we soon settled into our positions. Once on top of the basics we were able to concentrate on the smaller adjustments to inch our way to success, with Chris constantly adjusting and often telling me to “stop pinching” (a common theme).  The course and breeze allowed Conquista to lift her skirts on the reach to Manly (eloquently said by Chris) so although we set up the spinnaker sheets we decided against the kite, it could have got interesting with our mix of regular and irregular crew who hadn’t sailed together before.

Pic (our tall ship expert) was invaluable in sailing us safely back to port, especially while she was juggling a celebratory sparkling wine plus cheese and biscuits on her lap. The perfect end to a great race.

Thanks for Chris for being my mentor, Bill/Joerg my usual crew mates who know the course inside out, and thanks to Craig (and other absent owners) for being brave enough to let me helm (especially as I hit a boat last time I helmed Ladies Day - but that’s another sailing yarn…). 

Cheers, Cad

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Sneha Kadam MEGISTI

As we motored our way to Clark Island, Hugh asked me if I wanted to take over the helm. I happily took over, only to realise that he & Sam were not joking about me having to steer for the race that day! This would be my 5th time on a sailboat, so helming for a race was exciting but also a little daunting at first.

After a few tacks & surprise gybes (thanks to me), we discussed our strategy down the course. As always, Hugh was as calm as the wind that day & guided me to pick a point on land in the direction of the mark & head towards it. He told me to watch the tell-tales like a hawk.

Heading down towards Manly was amazing, until I had to work the waves just in front of the heads. Sam was amazing help as always, consoling me when I steered into the wind too much, slowing us right down. As I was on the helm, he was working the head sail by himself like a machine. 

Overall, it was an excellent day & I am so proud to have been the helms-woman for the Lady's Day Race aboard Megisti.

Thanks!

Sneha

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Stefani – CELETE

Here are a few lines in my beginner English.

My husband and I came from Germany to Australia in December last year. We live in McMahons Point and watched the sailboats in Berry’s Bay very often. We always said we would like to learn to sail in Australia. After the bush fires COVID came and we could again only watch the boats. Then I met Alan through a mutual friend and he asked me if I would like to spontaneously helm his boat 'Celete' during a race. I said spontaneously NO. It would be crazy to do something like that without experience. But he didn't leave me alone and my husband did not leave me alone after I told him. So I did it!
The morning of the race I felt bloody scared. The first half of the race I was very tense. Especially when the boat once leaned over for a short time. But from then on it was pure fun. After this exciting day I can say that I was very happy to have been part of it. 

We had a lot of fun, met very nice people and would definitely do it again.

Stef

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