Race Report 5/3/23
Published 09:23 on 6 Mar 2023
THE CHAMPAGNE RACE
The flag falls, the bows turn, muscles tense as the race begins. Paul and J in the Albacore start brilliantly, crossing the line as the gun goes!. J leans out, looking upwind, searching for the mark that holds the key to leading this race. The rest of the fleet are led by the Commodore Janey, in her Solo, tacking, covering, challenging each other to go faster, to act quicker, to succeed. At the first mark, Paul and J round first, closely followed by Craig in his Solo who, in turn, is being hunted down by Janey. On the first reach, Paul gets away from the pack, but all the action is between the Commodore and the Sailing Secretary, Janey passing Craig to windward on the way to the second mark. Gybe, reach, gybe, reach, gybe and run to the leeward mark, rounded first by Paul and J, followed by Craig and Janey in their Solos, A and Helen in Lasers and Lawrence in his Solo. Bringing up the rear is S in her Topper and Chris in the Feva. Do not be deceived. This is Handicap racing. S is actually challenging for the lead! The order settles down, the fleet stretches evermore over the remaining two laps and at the finish, to the victor the spoils. Champagne on Ice for Paul, a Fruit shoot for J and the first win of the new season goes to an Albacore! Second was S, followed by Craig, Janey, A, Helen, Lawrence and Chris.
ENDURANCE RACE 1
The Endurance Trophy has many races to complete and, on bitterly cold days like today, much to endure! The temperature is dismissed as a mere inconvenience to the intrepid sailors who entered the second race of the day. Fortified by a bite to eat and a warm drink in the clubhouse, battle recommenced! Again, the flying Albacore started well chased by the Solo's of Craig and Lawrence and this was the order at the first mark. A brilliant first leg by Lawrence put him in third place on the reach followed by a gaggle of Lasers sailed by A, Ben, Helen and Dinah! Well done the ladies! S and Chris brought up the rear. The race moves on the Inner Transit mark where enthusiasm outpaced wisdom and experience! A and Helen rounded so quickly that Craig could do little to prevent Helen, marginally out of control, from ramming the rear of his Solo! Penalty turns by Helen and on they go to end the first lap, Paul and J leading, with Craig, A, Lawrence, Ben, Helen, Dinah, the don't be deceived Topper of S and Chris, gallantly coming to terms with his Feva. The race continues, the Lasers provide all the excitement in the middle of the fleet and as we come to the to the last beat to the finish Paul and J cross the line first followed by Craig, A and what would have been an excellent result for Lawrence had he not misjudged his tack and capsized! So close and yet so far! Another step taken on the Laser learning curve! And what about that Topper? S only went and won the race, beating Paul and J on Handicap by 20 seconds! No champagne this time, but a huge bucket of pride to take home and digest!
ENDURANCE RACE 2
Cold can enter the soul and numb the mind and many of the fleet chose to preserve their enthusiasm for another day! Not so for the four hardy souls who entered the third and final race of the day! A race remarkable not only in the consistency of its procession but also for the challenge for supremacy between A and Craig, an enthralling battle. As the wind eased, the clouds darkened but the little red speed machine kept a smiling bow wave until the bitter end, finishing ahead of Paul and J, Craig and A. What a day, S!!
AND FINALLY
Many thanks to Maurice for managing the day and to John and Robert who, dressed in 6 layers of clothing, manned the rescue boat for the day!!
(Huge thanks to Bill Hancock for this fabulous race report)
