Rear Commodore's Jottings - Mid- April 2004

 Easter Saturday, saw the first race of the season, with 12 boats out for racing 1 cruising and 1 for some fine tuning. A great turn out for the Early Bird series. The RS 400’s sailing a close battle for the leading position. Graham Child and Tim Sands, despite being over the line at the start sailed around the fleet to take the lead.   They were later to be overtaken by Mark and Julie Tucker.  Closely followed by, Neil  Bevington and Graham Windle. See results.

 Whereas Saturdays race was cold and grey with a steady wind the Easter Bunny Race was warm and with a light wind. A group of 12 boats took to the water to sail. The wind started out a gentle force 2 to slowly die and swing round 90 degrees before eventually dying away to nothing.     At one stage the boats were all sailing in different directions as the wind gradually faded away. Boats drifted backwards on the tide, some desperately trying to get round the windward mark. However eventually Gordon Kingston and Angela Carter managed after a close fought battle with the tide and light airs to finish the race.

Results were: 1st Angela Carter Laser

                   2nd Gordon Kingston Phantom

  With prizes also going to:  (New members) Phil and Kate Bolton RS 400, Peter and Patrick Weeks RS 400 and Bob and Sara Stevens RS 400. The prizes were Easter Eggs, much to the delight of Patrick who had remarked “ That he was happy to win an egg and we could keep any trophies.” This view may change over the season.

Memo to all future Race Officers, If you are thinking about shortening a race, due to a fading wind, do it when you first think of it!   As this will save a lot of embarrassment and help to make your job easier, when having to sort the results out.

 And the fickle wind….

…Well as expected, once everyone was off the water it came up to a decent breeze!

Saturday 17th April was signing on for the training, we had a steady stream of both adults and cadets ranging from novices to more experienced who want to join the training top improve their racing skills as well as master the art of spinnaker flying. In all 60 people signed on. Peter Weeks and his team meet this week to sort the groups out.  The beginners will start at 9till 12noon, whilst the racing group will begin at 10:30. This should give us better use of the boats and hopefully encourage the racing group to stay on and join in with the club racing in the afternoon. Training begins Saturday 14th!

A wet Tuesday evening did little to dampen the spirit of the fleet for our first evening race of the season. 15 Boats turned out, with some very close racing amongst the RS 400 fleet.

 The GP 14’s and lasers with Mike Murley trying out his skills at laser sailing, the cadets in the toppers all had some interesting sailing in a steady wind. The RS 800 is still undertaking training and awaiting JB to come and give them some competition! (Somebody has to win the ”tea-bag prize” this year)See results.

1st RS 400 was Neil Bevington sailing with Martyn Clark

1st Laser was Paul Reeve

1st Topper was Greg Windle

For the full results see web site.See race results.

Sarah Coles

Rear Commodore's Jottings - Early April 2004

 It is strange how the day of the first race of the season, dawned windy and colder than the last few. The wind blew and great grey clouds scurried across the Solent, with ominous rain squalls. Despite the crews of nine boats turning up, we sadly had to abandon the Brass monkey race. In the end several members went windsurfing in the force 6 winds. Better luck and weather next weekend.

 Last weekend the sun shone and a band of merry helpers, painted the mast at the signal station, moved the boats into their berths and started to sort out the club boats. It was great to see so many people and much appreciated.

We had the fitting out supper in the evening and enjoyed the singing of Nick. Many members were in good voice and we all joined in with the singing. Nick will be returning for folk evening in May.

  On a sad note we will be losing Nat Carthew to Holland. Nat is one of our unsung heroes! He completely, stripped and re built Gandalf (our club wayfarer) last year. This winter he has tackled the mirror and the problem of why it was so heavy. He also has mended the club laser, which was damaged at the end of the season. Nat takes his time and does a fantastic job! Thank you for all your hard work and Good Luck with you job in Holland.

 On Wednesday evening, a lively talk with a practical demonstration of flares took place. Bryn Jones from the RNLI, explained to us the best flares to use and more importantly how to safely use them. After a short break we reconvened on the cliff for the demonstration of flares. We tried hand held flares; mini flares and smokes flares, (having first had approval from the local coastguards). It was amazing how noisy they were and very affective too. Bringing the local police to view what was happening after a passing dog walker reported the flares!

 It certainly gave us all something to think about when taking to the water.

Sarah Coles

Thoughts from the Rear - March 2004