Mass Carnage Strikes the Crown Series and concerns arise

The Tasmanian B14 fleet took to the water over the weekend to witness some of the biggest carnage that a dinghy fleet has sailed in for some time. Boats that were up to the challenge hit the water around 10:30 am on Saturday the 23^rd of February 2008. Over the period of the first morning AUS 369 Craftsman homes broke the top section of its mast just above the top shroud attachment and still managed to finish the race thanks to the strong track that held the sail up and de-powered the top section of the mainsail. AUS 250 B Alert managed to break their transom bar and make it to shore without assistance. The first race got underway and the majority of the 11-boat fleet hit the water. By the end of the first lap there were only 5 odd boats remaining in the race after many decided the conditions were well above their limits. Adrian Beswick and Josh Phillips on AUS 369 Craftsman Homes lead the fleet around the top mark on the first lap but were overcome when a gust hit them at the top mark causing a spectacular capsize. John Pennman and his Crew on AUS 226 Esra Tew went round in Second but took the lead immediately after the mark and were closely followed by Chris Wells and Dianne Maynard on AUS 359 Epic. After the designated 3 laps and a box the finishers were Wells/Maynard 1^st three capsizes later Penman/Wizzer in 2^nd and Beswick/Phillips 4 capsizes, three cartwheels later coming in 3^rd.

Saturday Afternoon sailing was cancelled after the mass carnage that morning and a cold night waited. The fleet awoke to snow on the mountain on Sunday morning and a very cold outlook on the water.

After much hesitation the call was made that racing would be conducted and there was a mass rush to get on the water before the start for those who were still game. There were three races run on the Sunday with one in the morning and another 2 that afternoon. Three B14’s took to the water and got finishes in the first race of the morning Beswick and Phillips took out the win with Penman/Wizzer coming a close second and third went to the young up and coming boys David Cromatry and Cameron Gibson in AUS 361 Smokin! That afternoon only saw the top 2 place getters of the morning make it to the start after the Smokin boys ended up in a tangle in Kangaroo Bay. The first race of the afternoon went to Penman and Wizzer after some nice upwind work gave them the lead in the first lap and they managed to get in-front enough to hold off Beswick and Phillips who came home in style flying the kite to make up the minute lead to a mere few seconds by the finish line. The final race got underway but some mass Carnage was witnessed after the laser fleet had a broken mast, then a broken boom and a 29er also lost its rig followed by Pennman and Wizzer inverting their mast on the first downwind causing an impressive mast break. So the final remaining boat Beswick and Phillips on Craftsman Homes took out the win of the final race and overall.

There has been much discussion as to what should be done to help improve the Safety of the crown series. The consequences for the fleet are nevertheless also evident in the broken masts, and damaged rudder box and transom tube.

The first difficulty for us as a class is when we encounter these conditions in a regatta being run by others and we are part of a mixed fleet, but have a class race going on as well. Those who sail on in conditions beyond the class rules will win the mixed fleet part and will be given a win for the B14 part as well as the racing is left in the PRO’s hands.

The other problem is how are the limits enforced during B14 regattas?

Observation would tell us that for various reasons PRO’s might be totally unaware of the wind speed limitations in our class rules.

How do we or should we deal with this?

Regarding the Crown Series launching ramp and other facilities at BYC they were just not up to the mark when trying to deal with so many boats and people. Although we should put in a vote of appreciation for the bloke who was helping at both launching and recovery time. He must have been in his wetsuit all day and did a great job. Getting into that ramp in a strong gusty northerly is dangerous. Boats were coming in there like rockets. The only good thing is that the tide was high. Last year boats were hitting the bottom well out from the ramp. Imagine coming in there at low tide with the c/board up would be a nightmare in the same conditions.

Some Suggestions have been:

A race briefing for dinghy sailors.
Drop the morning race with four races back to back starting at 1.00 Saturday & noon Sunday.
Provide adequate shower facilities for 100 plus dinghy sailors. Two showers in the Club house is an insult to us and it is possible to hire Shower blocks to provide additional facilities. Given the weather conditions on Sunday cold wet sailors could have suffered mild hypothermia with no way of getting warm at the Club.
Wind speed limits should be in the race instructions.
Water access is a major issue particularly in the conditions on the weekend.