Spring A

There are two reports on Spring A, one from the water and one from the shore.  

On the water

The course was a big triangle with a southerly oscillating to SE so there was a big premium for picking the shifts. We had a long dead run that did not favour the Contender and Steve Owen was praying for another 5mph of wind to get him on the wire.

Of the nine boats out, seven were standard Lasers and one Radial (Clare). Colin Smith showed us the way home in both races and there was some close racing in the rest of the fleet with the order finishing with Richard, Olaf, Andy, Harvey, Allan, James, Steve and Clare in the first race.

In the second race Allan improved to third position and Andy Ekins dropped back to 7th.

It was a long haul up the slip as the tide was low at the end so I’ll be much relieved when the the new gearbox has been fitted to the winch.

Thanks to Phil Rees and David Condor for running a smooth race.
Richard


From the shore
Sunday 3rd April 2016

Race One


On this fine sunny day with quite fluky winds, 10 boats took to the water for the Spring Series A which comprised of two races. At the start of the first race, the boats were all massing near the start line for the off. 

With a clean start, the Contender and two Lasers were vying for the top slot as they sailed towards SP1 which was the first mark of the course. On rounding the first mark, a Laser had gone into first place and was closely followed by the second Laser and the Contender. Within the rest of the fleet, the boats were always changing position with the race.

As the boats were heading towards SP3, it was a case of follow my leader which was Laser 165710 who had the Contender hot on his heels and Laser 161766, then Laser 143583. Having gone through the line for the first time, it was still Laser 165710 in the lead. Upon rounding SP2, Laser 167510 increased his lead and the Contender dropped back to 4th.

The Race Officer decided to shorten the Race as there was another race to be sailed and it was a falling tide. First across the line was Laser 165710.

Results

1st 165710 Colin Smith

2nd 143583 Richard De Lisle

3rd 42839 Olaf Throndsen

Race Two

After the finish of Race One, the starting sequence for the Second Race got underway, the course remained the same, the winds were fluky and light and now the tide was also going out.

Once again, all the boats massed around the start line and it was the Contender who took the early lead but Laser 165710 was close behind and as they headed towards SP1 sailed passed the Contender, at SP2, three Lasers and the Contender are vying with each other for the top slot, as they round SP2, Laser 165710 is in pole position, then it is the Contender, but this is short lived as the Contender goes past the Laser and he is relegated to third place as another Laser sails by him but not for long as he edges back into second place.

Laser 143583 takes the lead and sailing away from the second Laser 165710, there appears to be a tussle for third place, as the lead Laser approaches SP3, the Laser in second places roll tacks around the mark and this gives him the edge and once again Laser 165710 goes into the lead. 

Results

1st Laser 165710 Colin Smith

2nd Laser 143583 Richard De Lisle

3rd Laser 161786 Harvey Burwin

Report and photographs of those racing and sailing by Liz Smith.