The Fixture card said that it was a ‘Novice Helm’ race for those new members of the club who had little experience of racing. With the northeasterly wind strength over 20 miles per hour, it was hardly the day for Novices to go racing.  With a keen fleet of regular racers gagging to get on the water the ‘Race Officer of the Day’ Mark (I used to sail a Cat) Sanders and his stunning assistant, abandoned the Novice race and proceeded to run what can only be described as an ‘End of May Demolition Derby’ for those brave enough to go out. Great to see two of the Hornet fleet making an appearance, and Chris Brealy looked like the winner for most of the race.

 

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the big seas and gusting winds with all but two boats remaining upright for the entire race. The rest of the fleet went swimming at some stage but the bits in between were an amazing adrenalin rush and special mention once again must go the ‘Sanders Babes’ Freya 16yrs, and Alice 14yrs who sailed their Dart 16 Catamaran as if it were in a quiet summer’s breeze. 

 

Dai and Tom practiced their capsize drill in front of the club house to great applause from the sundeck, but in true Herne Bay S.C. tradition there was a welcoming bunch of members waiting at the bottom of the slipway helping recover boats in difficult conditions. Special mention and thanks must go to the safety boat crews and to Alan McNeil and Phil Rees who were there to receive every boat onto the slipway in some rather big northeasterly waves.  It was ‘Man of Kent’ weather in May.  Once again a great atmosphere in the bar afterwards and on the sundeck which was crowded.

 

1st John Bennett – Laser Pico

2nd Paul Smith – Laser

3rd Hornet – Chris Brealy