Summer Saturday 6

"It's about 8 knots outside," said race officer, Adam Glendinning, at the briefing for officials. This came as welcome news for the volunteers gathered on Hebe One, as heavy clouds spilling over the surrounding mountains had threatened to spoil everyone's day. Sailors, though, are a hardy bunch and rain is a minor issue. What really counts is wind.

At Waglan Island, a reading of 16 knots from the southwest sealed it and the committee boat was soon on its way out of Hebe Haven and searching for a place to drop anchor. To the west of Port Shelter, half the University had disappeared under cloud and the rain was getting heavier, and heavier. The amber rainstorm warning had been issued by the Observatory at 0900.

For courses, Glendinning chose number 46, a 15-nautical-miler, for the IRC and PHS A fleets. This would take them around a club mark at Steep Island, passing Basalt and Bluff to starboard, rounding Table and a club mark at Ma Tsai Pai, and finishing at Little Palm Beach. An E flag was raised on the committee boat to remind crews of the Steep mark. This had been overlooked in a previous club race and some boats had sailed all the way around the island – protests a-plenty!

For PHS B and the Dragons from Shelter Cove, it was to be Course 47. This was a 12-nautical-miler, taking in Trio, Bluff, Table, a club mark at Ma Tsai Pai with a finish in the usual place – Little Palm Beach.

This time, without using BuoyZone, a 200-metre line was laid at 120o.

After the preparatory signal at 1250, the RO welcomed the 19 barely moving boats near Hebe One. The rain had sucked out the pressure over Port Shelter and wind speed was down to 2 knots. "We need 5 knots to start a race," lamented Glendinning, examining local weather systems on his mobile device.

Over in the distance, at the mouth to Hebe Haven, the Dragons had given up struggling to get to the start and laid their own mini course.

At 1255, the AP flag was raised and hopes of getting a race in started to fade. Sadly, the AP stayed up for almost an hour until Glendinning felt he had to make a firm decision. No more waiting for an elusive wind; enough of the drenching rain. Race postponed.

Re-sail date to be posted on the club website.