Race report – Wednesday 10^th December

Wind WSW 14-26 knots.

Whilst rigging, we discovered the jib furler line cover about to separate from the inner core. Having purchased and fitted a new line, we had used up most of our usual practice time, not even being the first on the water. By the time we arrived at the platform the course was already displayed; g(p) E(p) + V(p) E(p) 3
With the tide ebbing and a good line, the discussion on board was which side of the main channel should we take on the first beat. Roberta favoured the Quay side, whilst I was happy with either side, depending on how the start went. With Roberta’s plan in mind we started toward the platform end, but ended up decidedly second row, stuck in the dirty air behind Ann and John and unable to tack for a number of boats. By the time we were able to tack, the proximity to the edge of the main channel and a heading parallel to the channel, removed any advantage we may have found getting out of the tide.

4020 quickly followed by 4058 and 3936 tacked to cover the rest of the fleet heading over toward Brownsea. Leaving only us and 4027 continuing on port. We tacked next, earlier than had we been able to get out of the tide, leaving 4027 on their own. When they eventually tacked, it was clear that they had found a nice shift and were well ahead when we next crossed.

At the first mark (Oyster), it appeared that very little gain had been made by favouring either the left or right. We rounded at the back of a tight leading group of seven boats, led I think by 4020, 3793 and then 4058. Everyone rounded Oyster and headed down the run on Starboard, gybing for the last part of the run. By the time we reached the leeward mark (Christopher Head Craftsman Jeweller), we had gained a couple of places to round fourth, the three leaders remaining the same, although 3793 had got past 4020 to round first.

The short beat back to the line was uneventful and then everyone headed across the main channel toward Brownsea. Throughout the rest of this beat we were in a good contest with 4058 and 3936, with multiple place changes evident every time we crossed each other. Approaching the mark on port, we were a little in front of 3936, but to leeward. Could we complete our tack in time to give them the opportunity to then avoid us, possibly. Anyway, as we got to the layline, we moved inboard slightly preparing to tack. That was enough for Ian and Mike to think we were tacking, start shouting and tack. We could then tack and lay the mark (Wills) easily, they struggled to get around without touching the mark, but made it, inside us and gaining the advantage.

4020 had rounded first and headed off quite high on starboard. 3973 and 4058 headed off on port to gain the tidal advantage in the main channel. Both 3936 and us headed off on Starboard, although 3936 gybed quite quickly and had to head up very high to duck down behind our transom. With slightly more wind on the right we caught up 4058 and then just before the mark (Christopher Head) also passed 3973. Unfortunately, we had a problem getting the spinnaker down, resulting in a slightly wide mark rounding, allowing 3973 to round behind but above us and in clear air. That small advantage was enough for them to be just in front at the finish and for me to be writing this report.

Congratulations to Graham and Ben (4020) on a very well sailed race.

The upwind legs were very hard work, especially into the quite large chop, although those same waves did make the runs more fun! I think everyone in the fleet was pleased to see the shorten course flag.

During the race, I was wondering why Dick was sitting in a rib, stationary and potentially in the way of the fleet the platform and  the leeward mark. Discovering in the bar afterwards that he was protecting the fleet from a large log.

Thanks again to Fi and her team for once again providing us all with an excellent afternoons entertainment.

4020     Graham and Ben
3793     Pete and Jo
4016     Roberta and John
4058     Phil and Martin
3936     Ian and Mike
3922     Martin and Andrew
4101     Crispin and Steve
4027     Michael and Paul
3966     Richard and Alan
4125     David and Peter
3974     Ann and John
3934     Graham and Homfray
4052     Simon and Matt
4019     Steve and Simon
3965     David and Garath