The Women’s HOTY crew got its last outing in a time trial before the big day coming up in late November.  For the first time it was an all women’s launch from Abbotsford with our doughty presidential tinnie driver, Catherine and qualified observer Petra handling the trip over to the Iron Cove start.  Rosemary had us all tied up in the right knots and Sue and Melissa played ballasteers for the return journey.  Met by Mademoiselle Coxswain Ami at Rodd Point we were all set to go by the appointed time.  The water was a bit messy and the first half of the race was into a headwind.  The instruction to sit back into the wind was heeded but that dashed ferry swell around Cockatoo Island was very unwelcome.  The tail wind on the way back wasn’t the relief we had hoped for as the underwater swirlings continued to disrupt.  Some nicely balanced bits and some wobbly bits but overall a good last time trial effort before the Head of the Yarra.  (SC)