10 TEAMS WERE ENTERED ONE EACH FROM RSYC, ADMIRALS COVE/ DASH (veterans), SSL, WIPERS, CATCY RIVER RATS (PREVIOUS CHAMPS) 3 FROM UMT TERENGANU AND OUR PSC SQUIBS
Most if not all were younger fitter and better qualified to handle the tippy PLATU 25 ft keelboats.
The only prize our team would have won was combined age (265) and the windy conditions 20/25 knots were against us too.
PSC SQUIB Team intended representatives were Jeremy Camps, Mike Wilder, PSC instructor Hasslan, Thomas plus Emy and Martin Crookes on different days.
In the practise on the Thursday, it was evident Jeremy was not mobile enough from sitting on the floor to handle the helm, Mike likewise so Lan who had owned PLATU no 5 at Admirals Cove was promoted to helm, with Mike on main sheet calling the tactics, Thomas on jib and Martin on spi (first race day no spinnakers as 2 already torn). Emy was dispatched to borrow 4 from the navy at Lumut.
It was windy which also benefitted the younger and fitter crews, the Team were further handicapped by the absence of the Commodores match racing skills (from participating in the Monsoon Cup) and he had been practising too.
Effectively in the 6 races we participated in, in 3 we were black flagged in at least one case wrongly (cannot take penalties before the start) and in 2 suffered breakages.
The results were quite even after day 2, one team with 6 wins and 4 teams with 5 wins, then there were 2 teams with 2 points and PSC SQUIBS with zero points, our battered team retired and did not participate on day 3 because we could not qualify anyway.
The event was won by the SSL team.
We felt it was important for PSC to take part as we had promised RSYC our support and our team did their best in far from easy circumstances, it was interesting to see the organisation which somehow worked using a large fishing sampan as a base for changing crews.
We did come away realising how much more fun Squib sailing is compared with these unstable yachts, definitely not for beginners.
An interesting experience! thanks to JCC Consultants for sponsoring the entry.
Report written by Commodore Jeremy Camps
