Starts at Rendezvous
The final ASW Day 5 has arrived, and the weather forecasts have been depressing to read. All of the models are showing low winds and changing wind directions. Often, I’ll use several weather models so that I can select the one I like best, but this time they all had similarly depressing forecasts.
We motored out to our position at Rendezvous and set up the start line. The other committee boat had just a bit further to travel, and they began setting up their boat as well.
Our race officer, Paul Jackson (PJ), had worked out many options for the day’s races so that all conditions were catered for.
By the time the first start of the day rolled around at 10:00, the conditions had already improved. Despite the mathematical computer models run by supercomputers all around the world, the weather was somewhat different on the ground.
Racing
Conditions proved to be exciting and almost perfect for the racers. The wind picked up and solidified and gave all classes the chance to use their suit of sails on the final day. The races were to end relatively early in order to allow all the boats to return to the dock and prepare for the evening’s final prizegiving ceremonies.
Afternoon
After the final racers had crossed the finish line on their final race on ASW Day 5, we docked the committee boat and immediately proceeded to remove our equipment. The flags were stored in their cases; our pennants and other accoutrements lowered from the backstay and stays. We attached tubing to the lifelines to hold the flags with duct tape and zip-ties, and these had to be carefully removed. Fortunately, we were finished racing and could open up a frothy beverage or two so that we remained well-hydrated.
Prizegiving
The ceremonies were held in Nelson’s Dockyard, with a smaller stage reflecting the attendance this year. The races had been very close in several classes, and the competition had been fierce. After the somewhat lengthy prizegiving was complete, our group headed off to dinner and an early evening.