Day One

We're here! We all rendezvous-ed at the Qantas lounge in Brisbane after Anni was sent back to check in for carrying terribly dangerous rope and electrical tape in her hand luggage.

We found our racing machine at Shute Harbour, bought several shopping trolleys full of groceries and booze, made the day of the 11 year old checkout boy for the highest bill he had ever processed had a few margaritas and went to bed. The next morning we woke to a gorgeous still Shute Harbour. After ditzing around a bit and buying some more beer and wine we cruised out towards Hamilton, practised reefing, worked out some mechanics, visited the eastern start line and then motored into Hamilton marina which was absolutely chock ablock. We were directed to squeeze between other boats somewhere along the new G arm.

Saturday dawned very windy. On the start line it was blowing 25knots, lots of white caps, big swell and very challenging. The divisions before us created so many general recalls that by the time we started no-one was quite sure when we should be going. Support boat Mathilde waved us off with great enthusiasm.
Julie got the hang of wheel steering being used to tillers.
Still we battled high seas, high winds and general nervousness until we made it to the channel at the bottom of Lindeman Island where we were a little sheltered and were able to relax a bit. A following wind made the run home far more pleasant. And to cap off a great day there was Mathilde waiting at the channel beside Hamilton Island to chee us acroos the line.

we were near the back of the fleet but not last which made us happy. On handical we cam 14th in our division.

The results are here.

http://www.topyachtsoftware.com/results/2008/hammo/series/cruz-no-spin/series.htm