With the temperature only just above zero and steady rain, it was not surprising that only six ILCA 7 and 1 ILCA 6 sailor launched. Whilst rigging, just to add a little more encouragement for me, I found about 1 cm of water in the bottom of my boat had frozen solid! Having broken up my personal ice rink with the end of my centreboard, I launched and followed the others out to the platform, kicking the ice overboard as I went.
Course for the day was G h O (T/S) with 8-16 knots from the SE. The start line set with the platform at the starboard end, producing its usual wind shadow just to add a little interest for those starting at that end. We started to the sound of ILCA hitting ILCA, but a clear start. Hywel attempted a port flyer unsuccessfully, having to then duck the entire fleet. Nearly everyone tacked at their earliest opportunity to get across into the outgoing tide in the main channel.
At the first mark (Glovers), there was less than 100m between all 7 boats. Then with the additional influence of the tide, the reaching leg to Parkstone Dental was almost a dead run. Gybing at Parkstone Dental that first time, I succeeded in getting the mainsheet caught on the transom and being not under full control until that was resolved, I was alarmed to find a rib being used by the toppers, stationary and directly in front of me, with nobody looking in my direction. Having bounced off the rib and got control back for a nice reach to Outdoorgear.co.uk, I tried unsuccessfully to keep up with the 7's.
On the beat through the line and on to Glovers, I closed up a little on some of the 7's, only to lose out again on the run. The run back to outdoorgear.co.uk split opinion about which side to favour. As it turned out, the choice seemed to make little, if any difference.
As the race progressed, Chris and Hywel appeared to be having a close race at the front, opening a gap back to the other 7's that remained in quite a tight bunch.
With wind starting to build a little the RO decided to shorten the course after the second triangle, but not before the gusts now in the low 20's provided a fast, fun reach from Parkstone Dental to Outdoorgear.co.uk.
Thanks to the race team for an excellent course.
Results;
1. Chris
2. Hywel
3. Bob
4. Ian
5. Colston
6. Hugh
7. Me
That being the last race of the Autumn Series. Congratulations go to Alan and Roberta for winning the series in the ILCA 7 and 6 respectively. Full results are on the website.
John Lyons
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