Ulman Sails MonoMasters 2006: The quest for the most spectacular breakages

The MonoMasters at Lake Cootharabah on the Sunshine Coast

As we prepared to leave the beach, Neil (Obsession) commented that he thought it was at least 22kn at that stage, and it was clearly freshening. The water level in the lake was also low due to the drought. The quest for the most spectacular breakages actually commenced prior to the race, with a fitting on the forestay of Summertime Blues loosening during rigging, probably from the violently flapping jib. When the side stays were tensioned, the whole mast came down, pulling the mast step out of the deck. Expecting to retire without leaving the beach, we attended the briefing and told the others the sorry tale. Being true sailors, the other skippers weren’t going to let a little thing like that stop us. They took to our boat with hammers, pliers and duck tape, and had the mast up in no time, muttering something about “If we’re going out in this, you are too”. 

Zulu made the wise decision not to rig at all, so five boats went to face the starters. Obsession then made its attempt at the quest by using the full force of the wind to turn a small tear into a shredded jib and was first to retire. Then Numb Nuts broke a few shackles and I think threw in a capsize for good measure. Summertime Blues thought they would do some dredging too, so capsized after a difficult tack. During the 4 attempts to right the boat, each time it came up to 45 degrees, a wave would prevent it turning into the wind and push the bow away, driving the boom into the mud like a yabbie pump. When finally righted, the skipper (call me a girl, go on) made the decision to retire, thinking that continuing was just “silly” – particularly as only the bottom of the main was drawing while the rest of the sail was completely inverted in the wind. 

With the visitors from SBSC all on the beach, the two remaining local boats actually crossed the start line. Not long after, Stone Cold made its bid for the quest by breaking the vang. This was no simple rope failure. The whole fitting pulled out of the wooden mast post, sending splinters flying. As the young man sailing New Sensation commented, he now had a chance to win the race. But the boat had other ideas and he retired with a broken vang also. So the race board didn’t record a single finish by an NS14 in races 1 and 2. 

Sunday morning dawned overcast and still, with the breeze coming in about 9am for the 10.30 start. Despite valiant efforts, the vang on Stone Cold couldn’t be repaired overnight, so Lance took the opportunity to work on the trailer he was using to transport the junior Minnow sailors to the nationals. With Zulu sailing, five boats headed for the start but only 4 started. Numb Nuts, which had appeared relatively unscathed the day before, was obviously saving up its attempt at the quest by paying dearly with a broken tiller. Bob had to sail back to the shore holding the rudderbox to steer. Obsession got the best start by hanging back from the line and then tacking off to port to find clear air. In the 10-12kn, it was perfect weather for close racing. At one buoy rounding, there was Zulu, Obsession and Summertime Blues all nose to tail. Zulu disappeared after a while, so we think he might have retired. Obsession and Summertime Blues battled it out with Obsession always having the upper hand and being first to cross the line. Only a few boat lengths separated them. New Sensation was only a few places further back. 

On returning to the beach for lunch, the wind started to kick in. Memories of the previous day’s conditions, the forecast that it would be stronger (although it turned out to be a bit lighter) and the prospect of a long drive home made the visitors decide not to risk any more equipment. So New Sensation was the only boat to race and ended the series by retiring with a broken boom. The boats that revelled in the conditions over the weekend were the division 4 boats like 505s and MGs (except one of the latter that broke its mast) and the junior Minnow sailors, who were having a ball while the adults were dropping like flies. Regarding the quest for the most spectacular breakages, no one boat stood out as a clear winner. However, the NS14 fleet as a whole put in an outstanding performance, with only half the registered fleet completing one out of five races. 

But, Lake Cootharabah is a great place to sail, a lovely place to camp, and full of friendly welcoming people. So we will certainly be there for the Easter Regatta, which is only a month before the state titles, which will also be held there. So I hope you will all join us on the lake for more great racing. 

Merrill Turpin