Sharpie News - February 2012

I don't know if it was the thought of having to work an extra day in February and not getting paid for it, but something has certainly fired up the Glamour Cowgirls this month!! I'll start with the race on the 4/2 when the much of the fleet headed to Port Vincent for the state heats. With a race still to be won at home, 3 sharpies hit the water all in the search of glory and fame. Whilst Krazy had the form on the board and Jimbo had the advantage of years (and years and years and years and years) of experience, it was Sara who dominated proceedings. Perhaps inspired by another Blur national title, GC sailed on to capture a rare double of first and fastest, finishing 2 mins ahead of Mystic, Krazy close behind.

11/2 C/Champ #4 saw a challenging 5-12 kt SSE breeze greet the 10 boat fleet, the course nestled off the coast of Marino Rocks. Tony Turton dragged in pinch hitter Robbie Deussen to steer the Bear but not even this seemed to intimidate the Cowgirls. Heading up the first beat it was Toddy and the Vipers who held the early lead as the rest of the fleet struggled to get in phase with the swinging conditions. Nearing the top mark it was the Scooby who luckily managed to get a bit of south and round first, narrowly ahead of the Bear, Under the Radar, Mystic, Vipers and GC, all within a minute. While the wind favoured those in front, Sara refused to panic steadily picking off those in front to move up the fleet. Dave was challenged a couple of times by both Fritz and Kirky, but it was the "big sharpie" Gold-digger that proved most difficult, forcing Scooby off up one beat, picking up the southerly and beating them to the top mark/ finish! (Where was that form at Milang??!!). In the end it was Scooby 1st, the Bear 2nd and UTR 3rd, Sara left to rue what might have been if the race course was longer finishing 4th! Handicap saw the Thong take the glasses ahead of Sara, Scooby 3rd.

18/2 With Kirky away with Australia's favourite air, Fujitsu, Dave took over the helm of UTR to give his crew the week off. With Lincoln week underway, Sam McCloud made an appearance also in Warpig as numbers were down at HBISC. This meant a small fleet of 6 got away in what my sources tell me was a very competitive race. End results were UTR 1st, a minute ahead of Sam, GC storming home 2 mins later just ahead of Krazy. Consistency results were largely reversed, Krazy getting the chocolates ahead of Sara. Controversy then reared its head as the results showed UTR 3rd ahead of the Thong, but their time had been corrected using Kirky's handicap. Whilst there is a steward's investigation underway, I'm sure this is not the last we have heard of this B1??!!

Now for a quick wrap up of our State Championships. The fleet headed to Port Vincent on the 4th & 5th of February for Fujitsu Air conditioning heats 7&8 and Pinz Wholesale Blinds heat 9. While Sat was a nice enough 5- 10 kt SE, our favourites for the title Mal and Dave both failed to completely fire to finish between third and fifth in both races, Sam McCloud winning both. Kirky managed a 4th and a 6th while the Bear had about the same (?). The wind turned up on the Sunday with 18-30 knots from the SW, resulting in only 5 boats hitting the water. Mal blew up a spreader before the start meaning only four got underway when the gun went. Sam led early, and looked set to continue his good form before a jammed kite halyard saw him unable to get his kite down and a swim (followed by a couple more!). Dave, Jacko and Thinny were then left to fight it out before the Scooby's rudder stock decided to slowly crack up (30+kts with the kite up may have contributed!). Jacko sailed on to win, Scooby holding off Thinny, Sam 4th.

This meant there were 3 possible mathematical winners heading into the last 2 state heats to be held at ASC on the 26th Feb, Scooby, Blur and Warpig. With a very vague northerly blowing in and out the racing was postponed early, allowing for only 1 heat to be now sailed. Getting away in a light westerly, Mal grabbed the early lead and was never headed while his main rivals faltered. This means our new State Champion is Blur! Congratulations Mal, Sam and Chis!! With a new boat on the way, these guys are going to start red hot favourites for the national titles to be sailed here at Brighton 10 months from now.

Rumours: Did Kirky wave Dave through on port in the last state heat at sewer-city? The hole in his boat from the collision with Jacko after taking evasive action would suggest no!!
Who is nick-named "the human handbag" due to their skin looking a bit like old leather? (Paul Bulley says it's like touching a crocodile!).

Goodnight B1. B2.

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