“A view from behind the whistle”
As a Race Officer, the highest (and sometimes only!) compliment we get is to be invited back by a Club or Class. So when the Graeme from the Kapiti Club rang me after the DF95 Nationals and asked if I could come and run the Murray Rountree event, there was ever only one answer.
The Saturday dawned warm and sunny – and on arrival at the lake the pond was buzzing with eager skippers – tuned and ready to go. The breeze was challenging at times, with several major wind-shifts requiring the course to be re-laid at pace. The sailors were just as challenging, necessitating the ‘U’ flag to be displayed… and the threat of the Black flag is they didn’t behave. At the end of Day 1 we had a whopping 18 races in the bag and the points were close!
Sunday dawned still and damp, but again the fleet were like coiled springs, and when the breeze arrived just after 12, we leapt into action. Thanks to a great mark laying team, and the Black flag brought out to keep the sailors in order, a further 10 race scores were posted.
A huge thanks and congratulations to Wayne and the WRYC for putting on a great event. The KRYC supported the event. I am eternally grateful for an amazing team who support me and keep me on track.
Lastly – congrats and well done to all the sailors who placed, but more importantly travelled to the event. To keep our sport thriving, no matter what discipline, we all need to pack up our cars, hit the road, and support our fellow clubs and classes. I know that’s exactly what I will be doing over summer!
Until next time =)
PJD
Paul Davies – Race Officer