slammer Posted May 27, 2007 Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 There is no other sound like it. The bang and jingle of a boat trailer rolling over a hump in the road. Like Santa’s sleigh but out of tune, the sound was unmistakably that of another cat trailer pulling in to the club camping area. I observed this from my slumber and, as my eyes adjusted to luminous dial on my watch face, (I was not long in bed after leaving the welcoming party) I noticed it was 1.30 am. These guys had traveled from Queensland and as the car glided to a stop a cold Bundy and cola was thrust into the drivers hand. This was Wildcat hospitality, above them the skies were clear and the palm trees rustled as the sea breeze blew gently, another smile as the trip had already been worth while. Saturday morning of the long weekend and it was a perfect day. A morning breeze drifted across the lake. Cats were let out of their trailers and assembled on the shore. There was a bit to do before the first race, rigging would be important, registration an essential and of course catching up with friends and past competitors. With over 80 boats registered for the regatta it was going to be a great event. Rivalry would be intense, the Hobies were in final preparation for their Worlds in Fiji the following week. The Taipans were sizing each other up for their state titles a few weeks away and the 14’ cats were simply maintaining the rage. The morning breeze dropped off and as briefing was under way the nor’ easter moved in from the sea. Sails gave a flick and crews finished off the last of lunch and hit the water. Two races straight up for the afternoon with a perfect nor easter settling around 12 knots. The 84 boats constituted four divisions with Hobie 16’s constituting an entire division with 26 Hobie 16’s in the line up. Then there was a miscellaneous small cats constituting an amalgamation of Maricats, Hobie 14’s and Paper Tigers. The miscealleous 16 cat fleet made up of A Class and Taipans, finally there was the Big cat fleet which was a combination of F18 Tigers, Capricorns, NACRA’s and the occasional F16. Sunday saw the sea breeze struggle to get on shore and racing began mid afternoon with a gentle easterly . Thankfully the breeze built with most crews twin trapping. The breeze held and three races were run through the afternoon. It was paradise really, twin trapping in an easterly, warm sun on the back. Sailing back to shore with the sun setting and the beers chilling in the fridge then just drop the sail and relax. With competitors camping right on the lakes edge and the event being fully catered for the decision was whether to stay at your own tent or cruise the sites and catch up with others. Sunday night was the NRL grand final and with the Great Lakes Sailing Club providing dinner and a huge screen to watch the grand final it was a great evening. Eventually the lights were switched off at 2 am and those remaining headed off to bed and into deep slumber. The Monday following a grand final is often referred to as Mad Monday, reflecting the behaviour of those who have competed in the previous days events. Well, today was Mad Monday for Wildcat competitors. Sunday’s change had come in early in the morning, the front didn’t come as far north as Forster and the breeze had built to 15knots from the North West. Excellent, stuff and time to hit the water. The breeze was consistent across the lake but the chop seemed to stand up around the top marks. This familiar but unusual occurrence has led to this part of the lake to be referred to as ‘the washing machine’. Dreaded for its short deep chop, in the 2004 Laser masters regatta sailors often returned with clothes cleaner than ever before. The breeze built and settled in around 18 knots with occasional gusts around 23 knots. This was huge fun for some, but hard work for the A class boats who seemed to want to take off rather than keep flat. The crews worked hard as they tacked towards to top mark. The waves playing havoc with the crews with frequent ankle taps knocking feet from the hulls. The run down wind was edge of the seat stuff with crews sitting on the back beams as the cats scalded down wind. Steve Brewin’s A Class lost the entire rig as the side stay disintegrated. Soon others were burying the bows deep into the water with some of the leaders capsizing spectacularly. The Taipans hit the water fairly hard whilst the Maricats and paper tigers powered. The look in the eyes of F18 crews seemed remote and distant as though they were driven by evil thoughts. The F18’s felt no pain and were launching the kites as soon as they rounded to top mark. Spectacular flashes as the kites pumped the rigs as they sped downwind. With the boats carrying so much momentum the gybe midway downwind was most spectacular the with crews being extra nimble to ensure that a capsize wasn’t a certainty. At the last of the boats finished the race the wind had built to an uncomfortable 20 knots and it was decided that that was enough. Six races had been completed and everyone was certain that we’d all had enough. It was time to pack up and head home. Presentation was to follow and the winners recognized for their efforts. The Wildcat regatta is the stuff of legend. And for over 35 years the regatta has been held on the October Long Weekend. It is part of many family holidays. Such is the Wildcat regatta, that with only the smallest of sponsorship and with advertising which is limited to word of mouth and online forums crews have traveled from QLD, Victoria, Bunbury in WA, the South Coast of NSW and from inland. Olympic qualifier Darren Bundock came here as a kid and was playing on the shore when his family would be out sailing. This weekend Darren was here again playing and catching up with friends and not sailing. As polite as ever he gladly helped out at the presentation and gave the prizes out to the all the divisional places and winners. This was a great weekend and what better way the start the season. One by one the trailers pulled out of the club and up the hill out of site with the faint jingle trailing off in the distance. [This message has been edited by slammer (edited 25 October 2007).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darcy1945 Posted June 14, 2007 Report Share Posted June 14, 2007 We have moved our Mannering Pk 14' cat regatta back 1 week to the 1st w/e in Oct, Hope this will increase No's at both regattas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berny Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Who's going to Forster besides meeeeeee!!!!! Berny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildtoy Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Was intending to take my new mossie out there until we got a wedding invite for that exact w/e william nswmossie.com 1635 JiVe 1691 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl J Barrett Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 The same two AO F14's could possibly make it again, just have to check out a few things first. A WEDDING?? what's that rate when compared with sailing???? [This message has been edited by Darryl J Barrett (edited 25 July 2007).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildtoy Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 I know I know! Its my wife's friend and considering that next season I will be going i/state 4 times, I have to keep her happy and off my back. Would be a good lead up race for the nsw mossie states which are being held on the 27/28 of October. Spewing I cant come for it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berny Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Originally posted by Darryl J Barrett: The same two AO F14's could possibly make it again, just have to check out a few things first. That'd be great Darryl. Hope they make it. Bern [This message has been edited by berny (edited 25 July 2007).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildtoy Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 + Berny makes 3 F14's Hey Berny ever find out where your rudder system ended up at Botany? Where did you get the new rudders from? and are coming for the top gun regatta in october? nsw mossie state titles held t the same time. William nswmossie.com 1635 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmessee Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 I refuse to go to any family or friends organised party, wedding, or anything like that on any long weekend. Immediate family is ok. My wife is the boss usually, but I think holding weddings over long weekends is rude. That is often the only time I can get away from work for a few days in a row and the last thing I want to do is go to a wedding. It is also the same weekend as the Grand Final. A mate of mine had a wedding on the night of the Bledisloe Cup a few years back. He had to bring in the big screen for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl J Barrett Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Drop the hint to "she who must be obeyed" WILDTOY. These days it's much easier to get a new wife than it is to get a new boat. Should focus her attention on where the REAL priorities lay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berny Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Originally posted by wildtoy: I know I know! Its my wife's friend and considering that next season I will be going i/state 4 times, I have to keep her happy and off my back. Would be a good lead up race for the nsw mossie states which are being held on the 27/28 of October. Spewing I cant come for it though. Your wife's friend!!!! Mate, that does not rate AT ALL!!! [unless of course you want to have sex again in this lifetime that is.] No really, that sucks big time. I didn't even go to my own wedding cause there was a race on the w/end. No, those rudders are gorn. I had a second pair which I gave to the guy who is building the other 430 but he's bought Boyer foils and doesn't need them now. I got the newer boards too. Much lighter than the originals. Boat is looking good actually. Don't know about the 'Top Gun Regatta'. Have they posted a notice of race here? Bern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slammer Posted August 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2007 The beer is ordered and the big screen has had a re vamp. We've included cocktail hour for the ladies with Daquiries being served from 3pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slammer Posted August 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2007 Originally posted by darcy1945: We have moved our Mannering Pk 14' cat regatta back 1 week to the 1st w/e in Oct, Hope this will increase No's at both regattas. What sort of numbers are you guys looking at. We've ordered shirts etc for the winners of each division. So you guys would be a separate division I assume, therefore we can have the shirts embroided with...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REV YUKKA II Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 they may be a few 5.8's there this year as well. how many boats do you need to have your own class at foster? ps i agree that putting any sort of wedding etc on a long weekend or easter is rude. you could also add grand finnal weekend and bathurst 1000 to that list also. that may be a problem with dropping your mannering park regatta back a week darcy, you have put it on the same weekend as the bathurst 1000. (put then again 14ft sailer aren't really into things that go fast) only joking boys, i too had a much loved maricat untill josh wrecked it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lick the Knife Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Hi all, the new Formula Catamarans Australian made Blade F16, should be there, along with some other F16's. Don't know if there will be enough for a division. Personaly I prefer racing all spinnaker cats together as their performance stays more relative across a range of conditions, last couple of years have enjoyed racing Tornies, spinnaker taipans etc. But it has not been fair for the non spinnaker boats in the Misc. Div. So what about a all in spinnaker Div. if the F18's are game, as the numbers were not realy enough for their own Div. last year. Regards Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bitch Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 There will be about 5 Maricats from Tanilba Bay coming to the regatta. 4 cat rigged and 1 super sloop. Not sure about any others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slammer Posted August 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 Originally posted by Lick the Knife: Hi all, So what about a all in spinnaker Div. if the F18's are game, as the numbers were not realy enough for their own Div. last year. Regards Gary. The F18 are conducting their NSW titles so are entitled to a separate start. The notion of a Spinnaker fleet sound good and I will put it forward this weekend. Can't see any problems. [This message has been edited by slammer (edited 30 August 2007).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slammer Posted September 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 Good weather on the way. Bye bye front and hello sunny days and north easterlies. Grab the sun block and a bag of ice for the esky. see the weather updates at http://wildcatregatta.blogspot.com/ [This message has been edited by slammer (edited 26 September 2007).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slammer Posted October 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 Pics added today. Go to http://forstersailing.blogspot.com/ Cheers Scott [This message has been edited by slammer (edited 24 October 2007).] [This message has been edited by slammer (edited 24 October 2007).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slammer Posted November 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 [This message has been edited by slammer (edited 30 November 2007).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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