Sailing Croatia, October 2018
My 7th October trip with the Vienna International Sailing Club to Croatia. Every year has been fantastic, but this the best yet as we achieved 2nd place overall. 'We' being: Isabelle, Tudor, Bill and Alasdair:
Bill and Alasdair flew to Split with KLM, Isabelle and Tudor drove the 8 hours from Vienna. Flying is definitely the way to go - only 50 minutes from VIE, but still enough time for cabin service and a glass of wine. The drawback of course is that food and booze for the week cannot be brought in hand luggage.
Day 1
This consisted in a triangular race in quite gusty winds in the bay just offshore from Split. We needed 2 reefs due to the gusts. Cold and grey. Came 3rd. Overnight back in ACI Marina, Split.
Day 2
Very windy overnight in Split Marina and most of day was Bf 4-5 with some strong gusts. Raced 28m to Vis. We were last by far crossing the start line but somehow ending up 1st, mostly due to there being some confusion as to the exact whereabouts of the finish line.
Moored overnight on town quay, very pleasant little village.
Day 3
After a pleasant stroll in the warm sunshine through Vis we raced north to the islands off the western end of Hvar. Came in a miserable 6th out of 8 boats in very light winds. Moored in ACI marina in Palmizana opposite Hvar.
Day 4
Good winds early on so sailed down to Hvar passed the Queen Elisabeth and another ugly liner. Last over the start line again! Finished 5th on goose wing all the way up the bay to Stari Grad. Another very pretty town where we moored in the centre.
Fantastic evening of local food and wine in the middle of the ancient plain of Hvar.
Day 5
Triangular race in bay outside Stari Grad. Got stuck with no wind a couple of times. Almost disqualified for missing virtual buoy. 4th place.
Sailed on to Milna on Brac, though the wind died and had to motor in. Another lovely wee town.
Day 6
Best day ever since we won by miles! Very gusty 2 laps in bay before taking lead and heading off on super 8kn reach all the way back to Split.
Playing lots with the sails and backstay seems to have helped on the final leg.
Three boats all had the same number of points for 2nd place, but our two first places meant we tipped them all.
There is talk among the crew of signing up for a potential regatta in Spring next year...