Musto Performance Skiff Black Rock Open Weekend 2012

Article: Tim Hill
Photos: Russell Bates

11 Mustos gathered for a hastily reconvened Open Meeting at Black Rock, having been moved on from the scheduled Sail Sandy resail. First time out was super Sabre sailor, Wayne Bates in the demo boat, and returning newlywed (a thousand women sigh) Marcus Hamilton sailing Mario Kart, Jon Newman revving up for the upcoming Worlds at Weymouth and Tim Hill launching his new boat, again named Jet.

Jon Newman opened his account in choppy, solid 15 knots south westerly, taking the first race in a close fought affair from Marcus Hamilton. The pair got away on the first run, in third place Paul Newman was at the head of a close pack that included Tim Hill and Richie Robertson.

The second race saw the breeze build to 15-25 knots and the chop rising into some big closely spaced waves. Richie Robertson led to the top mark from Robin Dayes, Marcus Hamilton and Richard Ekberg. On rounding, Richie pitch poled on the set, Robin lost his kite over the side avoiding Ritchie, Jon Newman didn’t make the gybe and Richard sailed on by the bottom mark with a kite that wouldn’t come down. Meanwhile, Marcus skipped through the flotsam and jetsam to take an unassailable lead. Jon Newman, Tim Hill and Tim Moorhouse followed Marcus to the line.

With the light fading and the edge coming off the breeze, the race committee opted for a shortened race 3. Richie Robertson led to the first mark and through the line from Richard Ekberg, Marcus Hamilton and Tim Hill.

The first day saw Marcus leading from Jon – Tim some points back in third, with plenty of war stories to swap over BBQ and Broos.

The scheduled morning start for day 2 was delayed because of no wind. Marcus, Tim and Robin made the short trip from Sandringham to Black Rock, deposited their boats on wings on the beach and joined the wait, eventually sent out at midday to a building sea breeze and sunny conditions.

Jon Newman led to the first mark in race 4 from Paul Newman, Richard Ekberg and Mark Elsworth. Tim Hill flew down the run to round behind Jon on the work. Jon covered up the second upwind with Tim closing in light, unsettled conditions at the top mark to a close second. Tim split to the left on the run and crossed Jon to take the win.

Race 5 saw Jon bolt from the start pursued by a close pack including Tim, Marcus, Paul Newman and Richard Ekberg. Jon continued to extend his lead, winning comfortably from Tim, Paul and Marcus.

The final race saw Jon in a comfortable points lead, with Tim and Marcus neck and neck for second and third. The sea breeze, light and swinging through the previous heats finally began to settle in. Jon once again led to the first mark with Marcus and Tim close behind, each rounding the bottom mark within a boat length. Jon and Marcus took a short hitch out to sea and tacked back to the left side of the course while Tim opted to stand off to the right, losing ground on a left hand swing. Marcus gambled to the left of Jon and took the lead at the top mark, Tim some 50 meters back in third. Marcus led to the finish, covering Jon and a fast finishing Tim, each boat finishing head to tail through the finish line, followed by a lonely Richard E in 4th and an amazing Paul Newman who sailed most of the race with a broken tiller extension – with the broken end wedged back onto the bottom bit – a good add for Ronstan tapered tiller extensions.

With one more round of the open series left to sail this season, but with one full weekend to drop, either Tim or Jon can take home the title of Victorian Champion with Richie Robertson looking good for third.