Kansai Yacht Club Osaka Race Night. June 2009.

Sailing Japan saw us out there at 7:00pm last Saturday night lined to race in a 56 mile over

nighter. The race was organized by Kansai Yacht Club or KYC as it is known around here and was set to run from out front of Kansai yacht club down to Sumoto (34 21. 2 N 134 57.2 E) and back.

I had been watching the wind and weather for a week or so

prior to race and was uncertain as to what we would actually get on the day.

The start  had 8 – 10 knots true from North,  Spinnaker start and we were off.  One and a half hours into the race and they were all lined
up in the dark. Mast and stern lights stretched out as far as I could
see. We were jostling for position with two or three boats at the
back. The parade was heading South East our wind and wave tactical group (My mates and I)
said go South West. Scary but off we went. Leaving that line of lights
behind and pushing over to the west was very lonely. One mistake here
could cost 10 – 15 miles at the end.

After Gybing to South East we sailed about 30 minutes and felt it coming
on. Next thing we were in 16 – 20 knots from the North West and the boat
was screaming her heart out for us to ease up. Poor old lady at 17
years old she deserves a quieter life. One guy on pole winch the other
on the Spinnaker sheet and we just held her to course. Every wind
shift we shifted. Every change in condition we changed. Truly
exhausting stuff.

We saw the Southern mark Flashing it’s yellow light maybe a
mile ahead. Then we saw the mast head and bow lights coming up at us.
Hammering back up the bay on very tightly reigned in close hauls.
These guys are moving. Who are they? Next we saw the boats, these are
the top boats in the fleet, IMX 38s, X Boat 35s, Farr s, holy sheet ropes,
we are just behind the lead group!

We rounded the mark and pulled her in ready for the 6 hour slog back
up the hill. And slog we did. We pushed our chubby little 17 year old 30
footer for all she is worth. The crew were all pumped and we just
worked.

1 mile out from the finish line and the sun is breaking through. We see one boat then
another. An ID35, A Farr 31 IMS, we are still in the lead group. And then
it happened. The wind just stopped. The bay was like glass within
minutes. We started stepping through “puff puddles” as best we could but
those featherweight racers just crept further and further away from
us. Then we saw some more coming up behind us. First one then another.
We could see them glancing over as if to say, “man that’s Spindrift,
what’s she doing up here?” and then slowly but ever so slowly pull
away from us towards the finish line.

The crew were frustrated but never gave up. Not for a second. We
crossed the line 11th overall.  That’s yacht racing.

As we pulled into our berth we saw the boats lining up for the Kobe Marina yacht race. A few of them saw us and yelled “come on have a go mate” I took a quick look at the crew and decided to not even bother but did grab some video footage of these starting the race which i was very happy about as the overnoighter really didn’t produce much video at all.  Just black with dome red dodts here and there. So here you go. The start of the Kobe Marina club race 7th June 2009. Happy and tired.

Kobe Matsuri Yacht Race

May 17th will see the 28 running of the Kobe Matsuri yacht race. This yacht race is one part of the overall entertainment plan for this the 39th Kobe festival. I guess if we do the math we can see the yacht race joined the Festival some 11years after it began. Here in Japan we do love festivals and several have yacht races as a part of the festivities.  Sailing in Japan or more importantly yacht racing in Japan will eventually mean joining a festival race. Throughout the year we have many such races and I am sure if you ever have the chance to join one you will enjoy the spirit of these combined yacht race festivals

This weekend I am lucky to be invited to join the guys on Black Pearl a new  Tsuboi Vite 31 and we will be out there doing our very best to win this race.  I imagine for those of you boat owners interested in joining they committee will consider late entries so come on over and join in the fun. Then again if it crew position you are looking for drop me an email and I will do my best to hook you up with a boat.

Mark.

White Sail KYC Race Sunday 10th May 2009

Sailing Japan this week meant joining the WhiteSail fleet out of Kansai Yacht Club, Nishinomiya. The race started with a Skipper’s meeting held inside the KYC clubhouse starting at 9:20 am and then it was out to the bay to do battle.

The boats all moved up to the start line which was some 4 miles away from the berths at KYC, and prepared for a 11:00am start. Looking at the wind I worried if there would be a race start at all as a lazy and erratic one knot of breeze floated across the fleet.

The club flag went up indicating 5 minutes till start and the engines were all switched off.  The race was on and it promised to be a very tough yacht race doing the best we can with 1-4 knots of breeze. SpinDrift and her crew did everything they could to stay in touch with the lead boats however we were outclassed by the veterans within the Whitesail group yet again. There were some moments in this race that we saw out true potential shine through only to be dashed by some small error or another. Sailing with the Whitesail boys you don’t get a chance to make mistakes. Each mistake costs you ground you can not normally get it back.

The second race ran pretty much as the first expept it had to be shortened due to the lack of wind. I know sailing in Japan or anywhere else in the world means being prepared to sail in light winds however as this was my fourth consecutive day of racing in no wind I am really praying hard for some of the promised autumn power we should see at this time of the year for our next race.

May 17th will see us all out at Suma Beach for the Kobe Festival race. Hope to see you there.

Oh and do remember if you would like to join on on any of the races be sure to drop us an email. Love to have you on board.

Mark Smith.

SpinDrift.  T-301.

SeaTrek and the Meridian Cup

Sailing Japan can be just as fluky as anywhere else. We set off towards Tannowa aboard SeaTrek May 3rd 2009 and as soon as we got our past the marina it started to blow. We had a terrific run down to Tannowa either heading into a close haul or beam reaching. The Beam reach is one of my favourite angles of attack on the ID35 racing yacht as she handles very well with the wind abeam. She let’s you know you’re alive if you make any mistakes and hoots along nicely when you don’t. I have to say my spirits were up and looking forward to the across the bay race on the 4th.

Upon arrival at Tannowa the yacht club ensured we were all berthed well in time for a terrific dinner and one can only say thank you to such tremendous preparation. Well done Tannowa yacht club and marina. The evening breeze was pleasant, the band lively, the food great, and the company even better.

The 4th did not bring the winds we expected. The race set off pretty much on time and we all worked very hard to get our boats moving in 2 – 3 knots of wind or less.  Eventually the round trip was cut back to a one way course and even then we all struggles to get in before curfew. This race offered loads of opportunity to  practice light wind sailing techniques.

After the race we motored back over the bay, picked up our excess baggage left on the berth and headed home. Nature had some consolation prizes install for us with a glorious sunset and bioluminecense show extraordinaire.

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