Melges 24 - Kaito

Skandia Geelong Race Week is about 3 weeks out now. The Kaito crew have embarked on a new adventure with the purchase of TTFN (AUS 215), subsequent renaming and what feels like the rebuilding of this unloved boat.

“What Tha” will race with Kaito’s no’s on the sail and with only 2 of the original crew from last year - Heath & Myself. This after Kym double booked himself and is off cycling in SA. Adrian will replace Mark who is off wine making in Bendigo and the 4th spot to be advised.

We are also competing in the Audi King of Dockland event with Heath Walters (Big Balls) making up the crew of 3. Hope we win the car just to make Kym cry.

Will endeavour to keep the blog up to date each day with more interest in whether or not the boat will stay together rather than the placings. Will post some pics of the beast from the reconnaissance mission in early December as well.

Look out for the Aust Sailing artical on the Kaito crew in Jan’s edition as well.

Harry The Fluffy Unicorn

Needing to beat M24 Mako by at least 1 place in the last race to seal 3rd overall, we pulled a big one out and secured a 6th overall today with Mako coming in 12th - after we covered him all the way.

Great team effort from all involved and celebrated at KC’s with a steak or 2 and icecream.

Drive home to the Ssunshine Coast early tom morning and back to WA for the boys on Sat. All good, great fun and great company.

See you next year.

HTFU

Race 5 saw dogs getting blown off chains and as a result we did a large triangle course instead of being out in the passage. Lessons learnt from the Sunday where applied and we managed a 3rd overall and 2nd in M24’s behind Mr Batley. Kite rides where up there as the fastest ever but speed is unknown as the V/Tech drank some water and went into R2d2 mode for the rest of the race - last no. we saw was 16knts.

Race 6 & 7 where Windward/leewards in around 8-15 knts with the wind fading in the day and going left big time halfway up the 1st work in race 7. Mako won race 6 overall and was some distance in front of us and we held of Batley to finish 2nd in the M24’s and 4th overall.

Missed the start of race 7 by about 40 secs as we where having lunch and they started without us. Went left with Batley up the first work, got the shift and rounded the mark 2nd in the M24’s and mid fleet. Wind died slowly and on the last run and the 3 M24’s where within 50 metres of each other. Sailed well enough to beat Mako by 30+ secs and follow Batley accross the line - 2nd in M24’s and 6th overall.

With 1 race to go we are 3rd overall and .5 of a point in front of Mako - guess who where covering today. The wind is lighter which suits us and with any luck there will be no wind and no race 8.  Looking out over the water now, they may well happen.

Today is pack up day and looking around the house now, we have a big task ahead of us. Aiming to be on the road early am tom and into the Sunshine Coast by 7pm. Let you know how we go tonight.

 HTFU

The week started well with the Cone race and after a delay of couple hours due to no wind we set off in around 12-15.  Nice rides out and a long port tack back to the finish. Happy with 4th on corrected with some of the big boats gettiing up there.

Race 2 & 3 we’re windward leewards in around 15-18. Held it together well in race 3 to get 2nd and never recovered from a poor start and lack of speed in race 3 to finish 7th - stronger breeze not being out friend.

Race 4 was in around 20+ which eased to 15+ by the end. Poor start again after some repairs where needed with 30 sec to go but we where up there at the first and 2nd marks. Small reacher didn’t help on the next leg and we sailed average up the work - again overpowered etc. Changed kites to a baddly knoted mess on the next run and lost heaps. Caught up some on the last beat and finally seem to have worked out how to make it truck in a blow. Overall just a poor days sailing where everything went to crap.

Will get to test our heavy air sailing again today in the 2nd passage race (the first was a large triangle in the bay as it deemed to windy in the channel). Wind today in around 20knts again and is not due to drop off till Thursday.

Essentially we are looking at starting from go again today after a messy lead up and to many distractions. Beer is cold and steaks large. Sorry for the blog delays but down time has been body repair time. Full update tonight.

HTFU

We have all arrived safe and well and AB. Heath has already organised a standing booking at KC’s for the week and steaks where nice last night.

The boat came together in its own time and we where finally ablt to get out for a sail yesterday afternoon in about 10-15 knts. Boat and crew coming together nicely.

The issue with the M24 hicking lines seems to have solved by the protest committe and we are good to go in one design format.

The weather today is magic. Blue sky and temps in mid 20’s. Breeze though looks like it will be lighter than yesterday but right now at 7.30 am there is around 5+.

Race 1 in  the Double Conne island race - out to the island, round the island and back. There is 19 sports boats lining up with 4 M24’s. Full report on today racing this afternoon.

Tonight is lasagna night with the Elixir boys and boy can they drink - we’ve had to remove the little food in the fridge to cater for more drinks - which reminds me we made the weight limit by approx. 6 kgs.

Cheers and HTFU

kaito-art-work.pdf

Trying to get some photo’s and art work up for our supporter base which growing by the day. Feel free to make comments on Elixir’s site as well - www.elixir.livesaildie.com and make sure you give them rubbish (friendly rubbish) .

7 Days till race one, 4 days till the drive and more importantly only 2 days of work.

With one week to go before race 1, tensions are high (but only from spouses staying behind) and final preperations are being made to the boat and crew. Unforntunately we have lost a crew member this week with Mark having to stay home - some excuse about work.

We have been lucky enough to pick up John Ayres from Busselton. I like John a lot - mainly at this stage because he about 7kgs lighter than Mark and I am able to eat things other than apples. Seriously though, he’ll fit in great and sail hard which is all we aim to do.

New shirts have just turned up and am awaiting the wine delievery from Wise - hope you sent it Mr Wise or there is a VB GoldTallie waiting for you.

Start the count down from here on - who needs the Olympics . They’re all whimps.

HTFU 

Kaito is Australia’s most travelled Sports Boat.

Back again this year to Airlie Beach Race Week for the 2nd time and on a mission. The boat and 3/4 of the crew reside in Busellton in WA - 3+ hours Sth of Perth.

 We are looking forward to fair winds, great competition and the odd beer/wine.

Can’t Wait.