Port Phillip Downwinder 22-23 February

It's on!
Better get involved because this is going to be an awesome experience !
Keep checking this post for the details !



Perpetual trophy nearly ready



Make sure to get your name on it first ! (top 3 in each category)

Registrations are NOW OPEN!


Registrations must be made online or @ the Zu in St. Kilda, by no later than Midnight 20th February!

Make sure you read the sailing rules! (media.wix.com/ugd/c8dd5b_49bb4052a8b940638161a7c78a8b7a22.pdf)


REGISTER ONLINE @

jerzyfilatow.wixsite.com/home

OR

www.wv.org.au/index.php/downwinder-2014

Will it be still run if the wind is Easterly? Offshore.

I would be very interested in the marathon if the wind conditions were Easterly 15-20 knots. Even in 10-15 knots I would go on a large board. The water state should be much flatter on an Easterly and the forecasts for the next two weekends look like that is likely at the moment. A SW to Westerly look quite unlikely.

Sailing Rules have been updated and the restriction on 100L boards removed. However the sailor must be able to uphaul on the board he uses in the race.

jerzyfilatow.wixsite.com/home

If the gates are 200 meters out then an easterly will work, needs to be a pretty strong one though, 20 knots plus

Ok, Spotty and Martin have done a test run from Ricketts Point. Great time of about 40 min but it was interesting to see the big guy breathing hard when he came in. The south south-east angle certainly didn't help and according to both sailors it was hard work. I recall martin initially mentioning he wouldn't enter the race from Bonbeach in these conditions (5 min after he came in). I'm sure he's changed his mind after a bit of rest. Full respect guys !

So this highlights again that the Bonbeach start will be for very experienced sailors only, I'm sure Spotty and Martin will jump on here to give some more detailed feedback. The green Point start will still be a great challenge but would probably mean for most sailors you will actually get to St Kilda.

Only one week to go and there are lot's off people joining including some interstate sailors. So far we estimate we will have about 15-20 starting at Bonbeach and 30-40 at Green Point.



Spotty out of breath after getting to ST Kilda (he even refused a beer)



Good setup for the conditions



First sailors to make the trip






Come and get it Guys!

We had a couple of aborted starts as I was on the wrong gear and the wind was fading. I could see Spotti was getting impatient so did a mad rush rig of the 7.1 and went. Not a good move as the sail was rigged like crap and the harness lines were all wrong. Should have come back for the third time and fixed it but we just went.
Spotti took of at 30 knots and I went stuff it, I am just cruising so made no attempt to keep up with him. Even from Ricketts it is a long way, further than you think and dead downwind. By Black Rock Yacht club my back leg was screaming, the outboard strap position on a slalom board makes it tough to go that deep. By half way I was taking breaks of popping my leg in the opposite strap, it is slow but was a much needed relief. Had to jump in the water at Hampton to adjust the harness lines, you need them further forward for deep downwind.
By the time I got to Point Ormond I thought I was home and hosed but it is still way past there. You need to go along way across to clear the breakwater at Royal Melbourne YC to get into the ZU. I gybed too early and wasn't going to clear it and had to gybe back toward Port Melb, when you get over there the water is shallow and man the waves stand up.
Overall I found it quite tough and I got fatigued. I am 55 and unfit but I would say to anyone who is contemplating it, it's a long way, the water is rough and it is hard work going deep downwind. I am going to have a serious think about it as the extra 8 km,s from Bonbeach will make it that much harder again.

Regarding the rules, what does this mean: "The gate will remain open for approximately 20 minutes after the leading competitor crosses the gate. This gate is approximated to be open between 30-40 minutes." ?

Spotti had a GPS, haven't seen the data yet apart from him having a peak of over 30 knots. He's a machine.

Re the gate opening time. Spotti was going a lot faster than me, I think you will have 2 or 3 guy's that are very fast but you will have a bunch of guy's like me that are capable of doing the distance yet will be in cruise mode so they actually get there. The 20 minutes opening time for the first gate at Ricketts is ample but I think you need a minimum of 30 minutes opening for the Green Point gate.

Ah ha, Ok that is fine. I was suggesting 30 minutes was required from first rider through at Green point to closure but if it already 40 minutes then it will be sweet.
Thanks

About 2.30 I think