“Hirondelle” Geoff and Peter
Races 4 and 5
A new skipper in the TS16s is challenging the scratch boats. Peter Barnes is a long-time DSC sailor, who after a period away from the water, has made a stunning return.
Peter skippered Hirondelle , which is crewed by its owner and builder, Geoff Smith, in Races 4 and 5, winning the fastest time and handicap in both races.
Geoff has been sailing with DSC since 2007. He hadn’t sailed very much before. Nor had he built a boat before he built Hirondelle, which took him four years.
He had been sailing with Dick Voorderhake, who usually skippered, until Dick retired from full-time racing at the end of last season.
Geoff is a retired weather officer, and his forecasting skills are frequently called upon by his club mates.
Peter joined DSC as a junior, sailing in the Flying 11s. Some of the boys he sailed against back then, he is once again sailing against this season in the TS16s. His father, Keith, had a TS16, number 864 Waukesha, and Peter sailed with him, so he is familiar with the class.
Last season, after he retired, Peter wanted to return to sailing, so he put his name on the TS16s crewing availability form, and crewed in a couple of races.
He had just got back from holidays when he received an email from Geoff. After a phone conversation they decided to sail together this year. Geoff likes being a for’ard hand, he says he is comfortable in either end of the boat but really loves the for’ard hand position especially when everything is done right on the day. Peter skippered from the first race, as Geoff knew the setup of the boat and the two of them have enjoyed racing Hirondelle as a team.
Their first race, Race 4, was a handicap. With a handicap of 11, and most of the higher handicapped boats not on the water that day, they lead almost from the start. Geoff said they just got faster and faster. They established a clear lead and also won fastest time.
Their win knocked their handicap back to 8 for Race 5, but that didn’t hold them back. Race 5 was a championship, with a scratch start. Ultimately Sinister, the championship winner for Race 3, had an early lead, but was challenged by Hirondelle which crossed the finish line first. Hirondelle also won on handicap.
Peter said Hirondelle is very well set up, and he is thoroughly enjoying sailing again. And despite their successes, Geoff said he is not that competitive – he is just out there to have fun and enjoy the sailing.
