Ahoy there!
The weekly Antiquity Yacht Club Races are going from strength to strength.
In the New Year, we have witnessed some amazing races, (both Yachts & Battle Ships), and we now boast a loyal following. Sailors from far & near come and participate, and have helped to shape the events via their feedback and constructive criticism.
As a result, we have regular sailors who plot the race course ( and often set up the race course, TY so much Capt Scurvy!!) as well as contributing valuable ideas that further expands our sailing fun, our sailing skills, and our time together on our marvellous waters.
The last Saturday in January saw three thrilling Battle Ship races. Not only were there some nail-biting moments, but there were many examples of good sportsmanship.
Our first race day this month was last Saturday, February 1st.
What an amazing series of races!!
Spectators joined us on the viewing platforms provided, and cheered the sailors on.
Capt TaliDon was keen to set up one of his course ideas, and I was excited to see what he would devise. (We were unable to use a map for diagramatic purposes, but will continue to do so, when the newest map of Antiquity is distributed.)
Capt TaliDon set up an intricate 9-sim course that not only followed a figure 8, but looped back on itself a few times too.
Some of our seasoned sailors suggested that the course was challenging to follow. In Capt TaliDon's defence, I suggested that the course was, in fact, experimental.
It wasn't.
Capt TaliDon reassured me that it was MEAN'T to be hard!!
The first race saw Capt Tito, and his crewman Rhea, Capt Nerovosa, Capt Sesshhomarue, Comm. Bridget & Capt Tali all lining up.
Capt Tali lead the first leg, with Capt Tito & Comm. Bridget following close behind. Comm. Bridget received damage to her (unarmed) vessel, but, true to her form, she persisted and finished the course.
Capt Nerovosa was sunk, and Capt TaliDon finished the race in good time. (Possibly because he knew where he was going.)
I think that Capt's Seeshomarue & Tito encountered technical difficulties, and were unable to complete the race. ( I am reading my notes in my journal, but the ink is all smudged, where I spilt my coffee, and attempted to mop it up.)
Race two saw Capt Nerovosa, Capt TaliDon, Capt Piotre, and capt Nathaniel all lining up. This was an interesting race, as two of the ships were clearly not SPD or TSS class. These two Captains were just so enthusiastic about joining in the fun, that we compromised, by allowing them to race. Capt Nathaniel was asked to wait until the fleet was safely away, before steaming forward in his impressive gun ship. And Capt Poitre assured me that his enormous galleon was indeed SPD, but I suspect that there may have been a slight misunderstanding as to the prescribed definition.
However, Capt Poitre surged forward, and the wake of his mammoth vessel created all manner of sea conditions for the smaller craft.
I am unclear as to whom actually won that race, as I found myself darting from one sim to the next to assess the ships' progress, but I recall that a few of the contestants may have veared off course somewhat. (That, and further smudged heiroglyphics made even more illegible by the blobs of butter & Vegemite that fell off my toast, and landed on the pages of my treasured journal.)
Race three saw Comm. Bridget, Capt Oma, Capt Scurvy, Capt TaliDon, and the unstoppable Capts' Poitre & Nathaniel.
Capt Poitre charged away from the start line, with Capts TaliDon, Nerovosa & Comm. Bridget following. Unfortunately for Capt Oma, SL was not kind to her this day, and she crashed.
Capt Scurvy also crashed. Capt Tali went down, Capt Poitre took the scenic route, and Capt Nathaniel amy have won, had he been sailing an SPD or TSS ship. Comm. Bridget successfully navigated the course, and was our winner !
Much needed refreshments were served all round back at the Club House, and the races and sailing conditions were discussed at length. ( I will purchase more chairs....)
Again, great sportsmanship was demonstrated during these discussions, and some ideas were suggested for future race events.
One of the ideas suggested by Capt Oma, was to provide low prim viewing platforms at various postions along the course route. LM's could be issued, and spectators could TP from one area to the next, and relax in comfort, by reclining on a comfortable pose ball. Great idea!
There were also suggestions to ensure that the field was scrutinised more carefully, so that no one would have an unfair advantage.
This is the aim of our race events, but I thought that perhaps we could have one heat for ships that do not meet the race specifications? Would be a great spectacle!
Thank you to all those who have particpated, plotted, planned, set up, cleaned up, test sailed and generally made our races great fun!
I cannot wait until next time!!
Fair Winds to you all!
Sailor Malibu.
