The Crew of Amatory with the New "Commodore's Cup":
Crisdean MacKenzie, Rob Teago and Peter Teago
Three boats competed in the first yacht race of the season which was plagued by very low or non-existent wind. There was a drifting start over the line which saw Amatory and Mhojo vying for pole position while Pegasus seemed to be heading in the wrong direction. Amatory played it cool under white sails while Mhojo went for a rapid hoist of their cruising chute -- nearly losing two members of crew overboard as they scrambled to retrieve some essential but strange pieces of material that had been inexplicably stored inside the chute bag.
Quite quickly Amatory established a lead and sailed away from Mhojo as she struggled to head up and around the Tobacco Rock bouy. Mhojo's skipper and crew were heard to mutter comments about a recent bloom of small barnacles to explain their poor performance but a recent survey of the hull in question reveals no evidence of this. Perhaps the chute wasn't such a good idea after all!
Meanwhile Pegasus seemed to have grown particularly fond of Slumbay harbour as she delayed her departure for quite some time, stopping to retrieve a Mhojo glove that had disappeared over the side from the chute bag too.
The wind filled in to allow a moderately brisk passage across the loch and back to the islands only to disappear again as the two leaders started the beat to the finish.
During the lulls the competitors and shore watchers were entertained by the witty banter and a virtuoso performance on the "mouthie" from an otherwise quiet Meridian -- there was never a dull moment on the airways.
Meanwhile Pegasus clung to some wind and crept up on the others the with ease -- making good use of her new improved headsail.
The final result was Amatory 1st, Pegasus 2nd and Mhojo 3rd.
Many thanks to the Crew of Meridian for making it all happen and to those on shore who looked after the weary crews on their return. Next yacht race -- open to anyone who doesn't take it too seriously is on Sunday June 29th.
