Carter lashes out at race officials

Michael Carter's Synergy. Photo courtesy of Petrina Rizzotti

Michael Carter veteran of fifteen years sailing the highly competitive 18 foot skiffs lashed out on the weekend at the race officials who cancelled racing in consideration of predicted harsh weather conditions.

“They can’t do that, it’s ridiculous to call off the race every time a bit of breeze comes in.” was Carter’s response when informed that the race was cancelled.

The forecast for Saturday was marginal racing conditions for the 18 footers. The Bureau of Meteorology predicted 20 to 30 knot winds changing to 20 to 25 knots in the evening. However the race officials led by John “Steamer” Stanley and David Speck felt that the conditions may well be worse than predicted. With around 50 years of local experience Steamer suspected that the wind will easily exceed 30 or even 35 knots.

Regardless of this, Carter expressed that the 18 foot skiffs should be handled capably by a good crew in the officially predicted conditions. “How will anyone learn to handle the rough stuff if they don’t go out and try? They’ll never get to learn.”

There is an element of truth to Carter’s complaint given that many older veterans of the sport openly criticise the perceived lesser seamanship skills of 18 footer sailors today. It used to be quite normal for skiffs to race in near gale or gale force breezes. However the issues of insurance, and the rising costs of the high tech 18 footers means that some compromises have had to be made.

Synergy (Carter) and Sydney Star (Michael Boyd) elected to train regardless of the Club’s call. Through a miscommunication, Dinghy Solutions (Richard Scarr) and Maytag (Kevin Jervis) both rigged and sailed out not realizing the race was off.

The Sydney Flying Squadron however was vindicated for its decision with gale force gusts in the 34 to 38 knot range being recorded for most of the afternoon.

Both Maytag and Dinghy Solutions had considerable difficulties. Maytag retired to Double Bay and Dinghy Solutions dropped their mainsail and was towed back to Rose Bay by the sailing school’s own inflatable rescue vessel.

Synergy and Sydney Star both battled the conditions and managed to return to the Sydney Flying Squadron under their own efforts. It was not easy going however with boat 18 footers being knocked down by the gusts so frequently that each crew lost count of the number of times they had to right the skiffs from a capsize.

Crew members did sustain minor injuries with Synergy’s Luca Rizzotti suffering facial cuts and bruising, a swollen eye as well as widespread bruising and cuts to his legs. Bill Robson on Sydney Star suffered cuts from being thrown onto rigging as well as considerable bruising over most of his body. It looked like both had been playing Rugby Union, not enjoying a pleasant afternoon sail.

Related Articles:

Dixon’s CST Composites scores a tight 18 footer win (Mon Oct 3)
18 foot skiffs overpowered in tough race (Mon Sep 26)
Brutal gusts cancel 18 Footer’s opening race (Tues Sep 20)

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