Following Mervyn’s well managed democratic process that fans of Trump, Johnston and Farage would have struggled to comprehend, those not globetrotting or otherwise engaged were all set for business as usual from the PYC platform. The weather did exactly what it said on the tin and the breeze filled in just in time for all classes to leave the beach and start on time, nevertheless, the wind gods still had plenty of tricks to play………
Those observing the launching process may have noted that Peter B in 3901 was commencing his Vendee campaign, having opted to sail solo. He later observed that 8 knots of breeze was fun but 10 knots plus was a nightmare! Uncharacteristically, the Fireball syndicate were a little thin on the ground with sole representatives in the form of Mike B taking the helm of 3936, with partner Tess at the front end for her first sail in a F/F.
And so, to sea.
Thankfully, due to a timely intervention from Bob and Huw when arriving at the platform, our course was changed from circuits and bumps in close proximity to all the other classes. The revised course became Wych (S), Morris Lane (S) and Parkstone Dental (S) in that order x 3. I’m sure the irony was not lost on GBR 3, as they came through the line to start the second lap and were nearly cut in half by an X boat approaching from upwind on port gybe! I believe Richard Ledger has already circulated the video evidence, and needless to say the particular X boat helm involved should know better, although, it is in keeping with his regular car parking habit.
With Wych as first mark, the last of the ebbing tide and a slightly port end biased line, we found ourselves at the pin having had to reach over boats to avoid being OCS. I’m not sure what happened back down the line but a combination of those needing to find clear air, and then a left hand shift, quickly led to the fleet heading west on port. We (3793), as the left hand most boat were looking good, with Bob and Huw (3) to leeward and slightly ahead. As the fleet approached the area between Rebbecks and Stakes the wind began to drop and head. The fleet all tacked and at this point the aforementioned wind gods had their first round of fun. The boats on the right were lifted in breeze, further left we were also lifted but in much less breeze and things were looking bad. What followed next resulted in huge gains for the chosen few, damage limitation for some, with others finding themselves ‘high and dry’. The wind then backed, bringing us and a couple of others back into the game as we sailed out from the corner of Brownsea Island. Those slightly further back saw neither the left shift nor the additional pressure and very quickly the fleet became spread out. The heroes of this first beat, and indeed the day, were Andy and Simon (4054). Having found themselves launched by the big right hander they proceeded to take advantage of the erratic wind to establish a good lead at the weather mark. We were next around followed closely by 3758, with 3966, 3 and 4111 a little further back. I’m not sure of the middle order, however as casualties of the fickle winds, 4125, 4025 and 4088 brought up the rear. Apart from some gains and losses in distance relative to others, the downwind legs provided no obvious passing lanes.
Once back through the line, a combination of other fleets, significant wind shifts and a large volume of traffic in the shipping channels made for a very tricky sail back towards the top triangle. Once clear of the Island the breeze continued to be just as challenging. Significant changes in direction and pressure meant nothing was certain until rounding Wych for the second time. 4054 sailed another solid beat and rounded well clear followed by 3758. A couple of hundred meters form the mark, 3793 was looking good to challenge 4054, but then opted to sail down a large header looking for pressure only to watch 3758 pile over the top on a large lift in much stronger breeze. Bob and Huw made big gains too. Once again nothing much to report downwind, although we fell into a large hole allowing Bob to close and consequently, with the race shortened to two laps, the final beat from Parkstone Dental was to become a race to write the report. Bob and Huw inevitably decided to throw in a few tacks, and as tempting as it may be for us to throw third, we opted to defend and after multiple tacks third was ‘successfully’ secured.
A big shout out to Andy and Simon and Graham and Sara. With so many opportunities to get it wrong they kept their heads and took every opportunity to secure their places. Another notable performance was that of David and Anne-Laure in going from 10th to 5th by the finish. Whilst it may not seem like much, the distance made up was substantial, having found themselves so far back at the first mark.
After such an uncertain forecast I’m sure all will agree that it was another splendid day on the water!
Results
4054 Andy & Simon
3758 Graham & Sara
3793 Pete & Jo
3 Bob & Huw
4125 David & Anne-Laure
4111 Mervyn & Ron
3966 Richard & Alan
4025 Chris & Nadia
4027 Mike & Pete
4088 Geof & Nick
3936 Mike & Tess
3901 Peter