Excerpts from Changilog...

The single-handed Race
The tension had been mounting for weeks. Constant taunts and good humoured stirring bore witness to the fact that at least ten men tried and true were to contend the annual Single-handed Race for 1986.

In the final days, even the dining room became an area to work on the pre-race nerves of the competition. Comments of the like normally reserved for the bar could be heard being exchanged from table to table..... "Got your crew for the Single-hander's Race yet Jimmy?"

When the morning of Sunday April 20th came, the pre-race tactics continued. Master of the art of nerves, Frank Young casually waited for the 10 minute warning before getting aboard Kereru, hoisted a sail or two on the way to the line and proceeded to win the start.

The beat to the 1st mark (Changi buoy) was more of a "tidal race." Even the fastest of the fleet were unable to get too far clear of Herb Altman's gaff-rigged cutter Vaganza.

As they turned north for Nanas Buoy, Kereru led the way. To add a little interest, Frank set the pole and launched "Son of Yellow Terror". (The big-daddy of Kereru's spinnakers is affectionately known as "The Yellow Terror").

The wind, still light and variable from the east, made progress to the second mark, the critical stage of the race. Particularly critical for Electric Sixpense who ran aground.

As the fleet turned south for Sea Fix the wind decided to do likewise, freshening to a reasonable breeze at the same time. On the run back to the clubhouse the fleet enjoyed some tight racing.

Kereru had by this stage opened up a good lead and was first to cross the line. Kartoosh following in the all too familiar path of Frank Young's wake was not to be outdone. Crossing the finish line with main and jib drawing. Kartoosh entertained the clubhouse with a spectacular display of timesaving sail drying by simultaneously flying her green and gold spinnaker about half a halyard's length from the transom.

Hummingbird crossed soon after to keep the Yamaha flag flying. Close behind came the new boat on the block, Dumbo. No doubt Andrew Marshall was pleased with the result as he managed to give the fleet a good head start before pulling enough strings to get Dumbo headed in the right direction. Then came Thunderflash sporting her brand new bottom and confirming suspicions that Jimmy Faure had managed to find "a crew".

But time had run out for the quickies! The Maxi 77 Antipodes looking as tidy as ever, roared down on the finish line well within her handicap allowance, to take first place on corrected time.

Clockwork and the club's newest funboat Fun Down Under were well up. Ken Clark, who had nominated John Murphy's Ferret failed to live-up to his pre-race propaganda.

The gaffer in the race Vaganza found the lack of early wind too discouraging and retired, but not before stopping to offer assistance to the grounded Electric Sixpence. Perhaps the gesture of stopping is a true sign of the nature of the single-hander. And despite all the "stirring" and pre-race tactics, when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, there's always room for generosity and good seamanship.

By Maurice Ryall