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Peter Lowndes writes, ‘Wine-Dark Sea headed out for another frigid and rainy Saturday for Race 4 of the Combined Clubs Winter Short Series. The season has been plagued by the wildest weather winter has to offer, with icy rainy squalls in Race 1, Race 2 being abandoned due to strong winds, and Wine-Dark Sea withdrawing from Race 3 after a 35+knot squall came through and we called “no fun” before we broke something.

After a quick reset by the race committee from the westerly to the southerly course, we got away on time following Victoire across the line at the pin end before tacking away for clear air. We headed up into Rushcutters Bay and rounded N2 for the run down to Obelisk Bay close on the heels of Victoire. Cold hands and minds resulted in a few fumbles that required an early spinnaker drop to ensure we had a clean rounding before the work back up to Shark Island.

A clean set at the western cardinal of Shark Island sent us heading back to Obelisk again as the rain continued to soak us to the bone and the wind blew away what little warmth was left.

The call from race committee to shorten the course at the second rounding of Shark Island was well received, even more so as the wind evaporated towards the end of the leg. There is one thing sailing in the cold and rain but bobbing around with no wind in those conditions is intolerable.

The crew of Wine-Dark Sea decided that stronger stuff than the boat name suggested, was required to warm the bones after pack up, so the emergency rum was deployed for the tender ride back to a warm dry Careening Cove Anchorage.’

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Photo by Margaret Fraser-Martin