After Saturday’s slog to Changi Buoy and back, the race committee thought that conditions could not get any worst for the Sunday Series I finale…. but it did. Starting with a heavy downpour at noon, sailors were sent to prepare their boats in the rain – with the hopes of the ongoing weather systems providing residual breeze to power the fleet to squance and back. Sadly the first (and only) attempt to start saw all 9 boats struggle to cross the line, as winds sputtered and failed to materialize. An N Flag was eventually raised, signaling a race abandonment and the commencement of a long and wet wait for wind.
Ever hopeful that a new breeze will swoop in to save the afternoon, the race committee’s optimism led to a nearly 2hr wait before conceding and putting up the AP over A signal – ending the afternoon without a race. The disappointing outcome meant that the series results would be tallied based on all 4 races completed prior to this weekend, and the results are as follows:
IRC
1st – Waka Tere
2nd – Minx
3rd – Adona
PY
1st – Brio
2nd – Invictus
3rd – Birregurra
Multihull
1st – Miss Visayan
Congratulations to all the winners! Despite the poor weather conditions this weekend, it was great to see a chilling but willing fleet in attendance. We now take a break from Club Racing for the rest of June – as we focus our attention to the upcoming inaugural CSC @ Tioman Regatta 2023 (17-23 June). Club Racing shall resume on the first weekend of July – See you all then!
https://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IMG_0962-scaled.jpg8001200CSChttps://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/changi_sailing_club_logo_round.pngCSC2023-06-05 10:24:342023-06-05 10:30:52Sunday Series I 2023 (Race 5)
A total of 10 boats graced the start line for the final event of Twilight Series I. Forming 3 classes, the participating yachts had to battle in extremely light air and the occasional wake from the Ubin ferries to contest Race 5 of the Series. With the storm systems clearing up, race committee was hesitant to send sailors on an unpredictable leg to squance – fearing the lack of wind after the downpour and a strengthening incoming tide in the evening. As such, the decision was made to shorten the course at the club line after rounding Changi Buoy.
The largest category of the day was the Keelboat PY Class, and the most excitement came from the back of the fleet! Olive Oyl, also the smallest boat in the fleet, had struggled and failed to finish all 4 races prior to Race 5. Determined to meet their objective of completing the race, the motley crew of sea scouts helmed by Mr Lin Weiquan performed a respectable start, managing to keep up with the fleet nearly all the way to Changi Buoy. However the real challenge started on their return leg to the finish line – winds had dropped and the incoming tide was very slow, providing little support for the Minuet’s return sail. Eventually, with a gentle puff the boat crossed the line just before 6pm, in a time of 1hr 52min 26sec. The crowds cheered as she was signaled to finish with an extended horn, a momentous occasion for the team on Olive Oyl. Kudos for their persistence and never-say-die attitude.
At the top of the fleet, Bound to Please claimed both line honours and victory on corrected time. Her new owner Mr Colin Clark is all smiles – and has already made plans to campaign for the upcoming RSYC Regatta and Singapore Regatta on Bound to Please. In a close 2nd, Brio’s consistency bore fruit, as she added this 2nd place finish to her tally of 1 bullet (Race 3) and two 3rd place finishes (Races 1 & 2) to complete Twilight Series I on 9 points as overall PY Champions. Birregurra completed the podium winners for Race 5, and her result secured her a 3rd place as well in the overall Series I standings. Despite placing 4th yesterday, Remington had done enough to claim 2nd overall with 12 points – just 3 points away from the Sonar.
In the IRC Class, Waka Tere was joined by Jong Dee and Minx – a most welcomed challenge for the lonely Nelson. The 3 boats split after rounding Changi Buoy, with Jong Dee and Minx heading out into the channel and Waka Tere sticking to the coast. The decision to head out proved advantageous, with the Challengers eventually crossing the line ahead of Waka Tere. Special mention to Minx – claiming both line honours and victory on corrected time for Race 5 while sailing solo! Despite having only raced 1 out of 5 races, her win placed her 3rd in the Series, by default. In a similar development, Jong Dee placed 2nd in the series despite having raced in only 2 out of the 5 races. Congratulations to all 3 boats – we hope to see more consistent participation from the IRC fleet moving forward.
The Multihulls, while only represented by a trio of boats across the series, see steady participation from all 3. Despite Bula’s absence, she had done enough in Races 1 – 4 to be crowned the winner for Series I. A victory in Race 5 was too little too late for Miss Visayan, as her score of 9 points was just 1 point short of 2nd placed Sirius Swift. Skipper Eugene’s consistent attendance shone through, coupled with the highlight in Race 2, scoring a bullet against her more experienced rivals.
Thank you all for your participation throughout the first Twilight Series of 2023. We now hope for more winds this afternoon as we conduct the 5th and final race for the Sunday Series I. See you on water.
https://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IMG_0858-scaled.jpg8001200CSChttps://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/changi_sailing_club_logo_round.pngCSC2023-06-04 10:39:582023-06-04 10:47:01Twilight Series I 2023 (Race 5)
Day 2 of the Championships saw the winds develop from the south, resulting in shifty and gustier conditions. Apart from the weather, sailors also had to keep their senses peeled for incoming and outgoing vessels crossing the course, with one causing a short delay for the first race of the day.
In the PY Class, Remington continue their winning form, scoring bullets in all 3 races available on Day 2 to complete the weekend with a total of 5 points. Birregurra performed better to close the gap with Nevis, but fell just short and lost on tie-breaker. The Catalina 22 suffered 2 retirements and a lost winch handle on Day 2, yet miraculously managed to still retain 2nd place overall. She has her bullet from Day 1 to thank, breaking the tie between her and Birregurra.
Waka Tere completed the series with a clean sheet, placing ahead for all 6 races both across the line and on corrected time. She now takes over from 2022 winner Born in Fire as reigning champion for the IRC Class, a superb effort from the team. Despite playing second fiddle, the team on the X99 were all smiles, and we are just glad to have her back racing with us after their long hiatus. Silhouette took part last year as the lone PY boat, but returns this year to concentrate her efforts in the IRC Class. Great to see the team slowly coming together and pushing the Beneteau First 40.7 to her limits.
Entering Day 2 with just a 1 point lead, Notus survived a tremendous effort from SMUMad to claw their way back on top, scoring a bullet in the last race to tie on points and emerge victorious on tie-breaker. It was also encouraging and commendable to see SMUve overcome adversity and the team’s relative inexperience – improving their performance with every race. She completes the regatta in 3rd.
The biggest fleet for the regatta is undoubtedly the J24 Class, and sitting confidently at the top of the table is Jellico. Starting Day 2 with 3 points, she finishes the regatta with 3 more bullets for a perfect scoreline and a successful defense of her title J24 title. She however faced a healthy challenge and renewed vigour from Shengli, SMU Sailing Club’s top J24 contender. Having taken the lead at several points throughout the series, Skipper Abigail Wee is no stranger to being ahead. However, she struggles with her technical maneuvers, and loses some advantage around the cans. Nevertheless, two 2nd place finishes in Races 5 and 6 ends her team’s campaign on a good note, placing 3rd overall. She trails veterans Balqis, who despite a lacklustre performance on Day 2 manages to complete the series comfortably in 2nd.
Thank you everyone for participating in this wonderful series of windward-leeward racing – great to see the return of SMU Sailing Club in the local racing scene and strong support from our friends at Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. Congratulations to all the winners, we look forward to next year’s edition!
Originally intended as the CSC J24 Championships, this weekend’s annual keelboat championships has slowly evolved into a more inclusive event, allowing for IRC, PY & Platu Classes to participate as well. We welcome our friends from Singapore Management University Sailing Club (SMUSC) and Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC), as they support the event with 4 teams and 2 teams respectively. Defending J24, Platu and IRC champions Jellico, SMUMad and Born in Fire have returned to defend their title, but face stiff competition from both new and old challengers.
The weather forecast was for a light but consistent breeze from the South-west. It however did not materialise, as an easterly wind settled in, leaving the race committee to set a windward-leeward course perpendicular to Chek Jawa. The wind eventually shifted to the south later in the afternoon, prompting a course shift in Race 3. Coupled with the gusty downdraft from landing airplanes, sailors were treated to tricky conditions in Day 1.
Emerging on top with 3 bullets from 3 races was defending J24 champion, Jellico. The scoreline however did not do Balqis and Shengli justice, as both challengers had taken turns to lead during Race 2. Skipper Cedric and his team were definitely made to work extra hard for their victories, and will be looking to consolidate their position on Day 2. The rest of the J24 Class trailed the leaders by a fair bit, mostly due to the lack of training and introduction of new crew. Nevertheless, great effort, and we shall expect to see renewed vigour and plenty of action around the marks for the remaining 3 races.
In the Platu Class, Notus completes Day 1 with 4 points, scoring wins in Races 1 and 3. Defending Champions SMUMad were off to a shaky start, only managing to steal a bullet in Race 2, amassing a total of 6 points to trail by 2. In 3rd place, a commendable effort by SMUSC President Patrick and Crew, steadily improving on every race, closing the gap between SMUve and the 2 leaders, reducing their deficit to only 4 minutes in race 3. Considering this is their first major regatta, a great result for the team.
The IRC Class see the return of the X99 Born in Fire. Skipper Thomas and crew have been out of action for the past 4 months, mainly due to extensive repair and maintenance works. The lack of training seemed evident from the results, as they struggled to keep pace with leaders Waka Tere. The Nelson 10 enters Day 2 with 3 points, and look on track to claim this year’s IRC Title. Silhouette have been posting steady gains, but require further finesse from their technical maneuvers to sail to their handicap.
New entries Birregurra, Remington and Nevis make up the PY fleet, a refreshing addition to this event. The Catalina 23 claimed first blood, taking Race 1 on corrected time. Nevis however struggled to keep pace with the S&S 42, as Remington took Races 2 and 3 to sit on top with 4 points. Birregurra are however not to be written off, as she completed Race 3 with a 2nd position, ending Day 1 just 2 points behind Nevis.
We look forward to the remaining 3 races on Day 2 – good luck to all participants!
With many sailors travelling for business, we notice a smaller core group of sailors consistently participating in our Club Series. Despite the decrease in numbers, there was still excitable action on water around the buoys as we conducted the 4th race of the Twilight Series. A total of 8 boats were sent to Squance in a light South-Westerly breeze, against a significant current.
The first casualty of the strong outgoing tide was Olive Oyl. Her skipper, Weiquan was valiant and persistent in his attempt to get the little Minuet to the start line, but made little progress as the evening developed – resulting in an eventual retirement. Olmeto while having made the start and completing half the race, surrendered in the face of dying winds in the penultimate leg. The 2 retirements meant that podium winners have defaulted to the remaining 3 boats which completed the race in the PY Class – Shardana, Remington and Nevis! The Dufour 34 while outmaneuvered by Remington on the first mark rounding made steady gains and eventually found herself in the lead with a sufficient gap to claim victory on corrected time. Remington placed a well deserved 2nd, and Nevis avoided a charging commercial vessel on her final leg enroute to finishing 3rd.
Waka Tere continue to fly the flag high for the IRC Class, being the only boat participating. Her completion of this race and perfect attendance confirms her victory for the Series, as she amassed 4/4 wins for all Twilight races so far. Bula had company in the Multihull Class, in the form of Sirius Swift. While not at her swiftest, the crew onboard were all smiles and already enjoying evening drinks after setting their gennaker on the long leg to Changi Buoy. Bula’s efforts rewarded her with yet another bullet, and an assured win for the first Twilight Series of 2023.
Next week we conduct the annual CSC IRC, PY & One-Design Keelboat Championships, welcoming SMU Sailing Club, and RSYC to join us for a series of 6 races in windward-leeward format racing. Looking forward to seeing everyone on water then!
