Calm conditions at Brading Haven. Picture by Robin Lobb.
SAILING
BRADING HAVEN YC
PATIENCE and persistence were the order of the day when ten boats lined up for the fast handicap race in sixth round of the Frostbite series.
Fast, however, was not the operative word within the light wind, especially for Simon Cooper, who, having swapped his Laser for the club’s Bahia, found himself fighting to get out of the harbour with the rest of the fleet.
All the boats tried to find the best wind and tidal flow, which spread them out wide, but surprisingly there was not much to split them as they rounded the mark, with Duncan Bates leading to the end. The Solo’s Gareth Jones and Chris Wilkinson were second and third respectively.
If the fast handicap found the going difficult the slow handicap, of six Scows and a Pico, had an even bigger struggle.
Only the Scow of Barry Dyer and Pico of Josh Hills completed the task but even cadet Hills succumbed like the rest of the fleet to the lack of wind leaving only the persistent Dyer to singlehandedly complete the course.
YARMOUTH SC
Light winds and a roaring tide created a problem for race officers Mary Lord and Rachael Lee.
For the first race they set what should have been a short scurry via C to B buoy and back, but instead it was a rapid romp on top of an eager tide that quickly carried the fleet to B but everything slowed dramatically as they turned for home. Alex Gallimore and Joy Mowle were able to make steady progress with Rachael Parsloe and Tim and Dan Lee keeping them firmly in sight.
Joy and Alex finished first and second with Rachael third on the water, and all three held their places on corrected time.
The second race of the day, into Mill Creek and back, gave the fleet the opportunity to find more places to hide from the tide on the way home. The breeze had softened even more and the tide had built.
Graeme Bowen and Toms, in their Scows, benefited from sheltering in the pool close to the club and, once the gun had gone, made a swift getaway. They were joined by Alex and Joy while the rest of the fleet struggled to get back to the starting side of the line.
In the end, Graeme made the most of the conditions while Alex opted for the better breeze but horrible foul tide in the river. It was close between them but Alex just crossed the line ahead of Graeme. Rachael, a late starter, made up lots of ground and came third.
On handicap, she kept her place but Graeme won from Alex by a big margin.
BEMBRIDGE SC
Graham Sunderland won the club’s Picnic Hamper this weekend.
Enough wind for the 15 competitors on Saturday to make for some nice racing off Silver Beach and it was good to see class admiral Philip Woodford back sailing and to hear that his wife is recovering well from the operation she had recently.
The first race on Saturday required a general recall so race officers Mike Samuelson and Carol Ricks went straight to a black flag for the rest of the day.
It certainly worked and ensured three clean starts, albeit only just. Alas on Sunday the breeze died half way through the first race and although a result was achieved, racing was subsequently abandoned and boats had to be towed back into the harbour.
Graham won from James Meaning and Rupert Holmes.