Wind Warrior Sail GP Event # 2
Written by Simon Pluim
“The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship (yacht!) was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crews, the Minnow (Wind Warriors) would be lost!”…..read more about our three hour tour?
To say Sunday’s Wind Warrior Event # 2 of the Sailing GP was something out of the ordinary would be an understatement!
With wind gusts reaching 35+ knots on Port Phillip Bay, we entered the BYS Marina pond with the southwesterly belting over the land mass, with some fear and a lot of trepidation!
20 – 22 knots was the forecast on the bay, and in our mind it was… but we were wrong! It was actually more like 20 knots in the pond! Who was to know it was ‘GALE FORCE’ on the other side of the wave wall and out to sea….why would we?…we certainly had no plans to leave the marina!
The BYS WW fleet sprayed Inox in abundance on our internal electrical components in an effort to protect them, (it’s essentially like your mobile phone!… salt water is a killer!!!), taped our access hatch’s shut, took a deep breath and proceeded to launch, compete and survive the conditions; Physically for the Wind Warrior, mentally for us!!!!
It was somewhat, no it was hugely eventful, simply a hoot on the downhill runs, as the wind blasts saw numerous WW’s pitch pole with full rudder reveals; and on the upwind beat, sails and rigging were often knocked almost flat onto the sea surface, but the Wind Warrior just righted, and kept charging along.
Dumping main sheet and going with the gusts, saw the little high tech model boat seemingly planning at times, and tacking was often not an option, until the monstrous gusts had blown through, and ‘shit I’m out of control’ was a common cry….even under the breath of the Commodore, but not the Vice Commodore, although I know she with good manners was internalising it!
For the uneducated, sailing model yachts in these conditions with a remote control unit, looking on from the hard stand, requires a unique skill level. Imagine not being on the start line and without a main sheet and tiller in hand controlling a J-70 from a helicopter, with two thumbs and a remote control unit…….in a storm?
Amidst the testing conditions, one would think that designer from Wind Warrior Yachts, Grant McKinnon, would be proud and happy to know his NZ design masterpiece was put to the ultimate wind strength test on Port Phillip Bay, and we resolved that it is unsinkable and unstoppable.
Four highly fought races saw the top three qualify on the day with Jono Harding 1, Matt O’Brien 2 and Simon Pluim 3 …..with 5 others through to the Event # 2 final.
But Wind Warrior Sailing GP is a different game to a normal sailing regatta, and you only have to be in it (qualify top eight) to potentially win it! And the Event topper, aptly named ‘Foxy’s Final’ in memory of a great friend and member at BYS, we saw ’THE RED BOAT’ (1330) helmed by Matt Obrien ironically lead the fleet around the first triangle of the course, only to be eventually hunted down by those that would end up on the podium; Craig Smith (3rd), Jono Harding (2nd) and ….Richie Robertson taking out the coveted 1st place and earning him the privilege of wearing the coveted WW ‘Winners’ Jacket.
In Sunday’s mayhem, we came, we saw, we conquered and in the final protection of the BYS Racing Lounge and fireplace, there were great stories to be told, what could have been …if only?….and we did so under the BYS burgee at half mast, in respect of a good friend greatly admired, but sadly no longer with us….thanks for sailing with us all Foxy, you will be sadly missed….
