Twilight 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.

Results

Race 5_Twilight Series I 2023 Results

Series Results_Twilight Series I 2023_Final

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Twilight Series I 2023 (Race 4)

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!

Results

Race 4_Twilight Series I 2023 Results

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Twilight Series I 2023 (Race 3)

Twilight Series 1; Race 3 6 May 2023 The conditions for the afternoon made sailing easy for the fleet of boats. The westerly breeze averaging around 6 knots made it an easy day for racing, however, the strong outgoing tide added a little challenge as they made their way towards Squance. Kurt in Waka Tere and Michael in Bula were the only representative in their respective categories. It was very unfortunate that the others were not available to participate. We hope to see more at the next race.

Participation was better in the keelboat PY category, 7 boats made the start. Brio had a near perfect start as he snugged in at the pin end and was able to hold his position with the bigger boats. It was also nice to have Hellmut joining the race onboard Petit Bateau; welcome back. With the breeze easing, the race committee made the call to shorten the race after one loop. Brio took 1st place followed by Shardana in 2nd and Petit Bateau in 3rd.

Results:

Race 3_Twilight I 2023 Results

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Twilight Series I 2023 (Race 2)

The inter-monsoon sadness continues this weekend, as sailors endured mirror-like waters and a stifling heat to complete Race 2 of the Twilight Series I. The extreme humidity and light airs meant that race organizers had to shorten the course for all sailors, ending their misery on their journey back from Squance buoy.

The IRC Class welcome back old hand Jong Dee – a J35 no stranger to  our racing scene. Having taken a break since the Ambassadors Cup last year, skipper Paul and crew took it easy on the course, taking their time to shake the rust off and get back into gear. She trails behind her rivals Simba and Waka Tere, with the latter excelling in the light air – leading the fleet comfortably from start to finish to score victory in the IRC Class. Simba was content, as her performance was respectable despite it being not her preferred wind condition.

We see the largest representation coming from the PY fleet, totaling 9 boats on the start line. The little boats prevailed in the light air, with all 3 boats on podium measuring under 24 feet. They took full advantage of the incoming breeze from the south west, closing the gap between them and the leaders. In first place on corrected time, we have Nevis! the Catalina 22 sport scored her first bullet for the series, capitalizing on the new wind direction to keep close to the fleet and eventually secure the top spot. Marut placed 2 minutes behind, a strong finish and first podium placing for skipper Guilherme this season. Brilliant Brio completed the triumphant trio in 3rd.

Speaking of triumphant trios, it was an epic photo-finish in the Multihull Class, as Bula, Sirius Swift and Miss Visayan crossed the line within seconds of each other in a nail-biting conclusion. The orange Corsair 880 made a surprising comeback with the incoming southwest breeze, catching up with leaders Bula and Miss Visayan who were stuck in the doldrums. It was then a race to the finish line with all 3 boats separated by mere metres. Sirius Swift clinched the win, just seconds ahead of Miss V and Bula – of which the former edged ahead to place 2nd by a second.

Congratulations to all the winners – and to all participants for persevering through the challenging conditions! See you next week for the 3rd race of our Sunday Series I (23 April).

Results

Race 2_Twilight Series I 2023 Results

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