When the members at the October ‘Boat Owners’ meeting asked for a course with longer legs for the ‘Long Distance’ race they didn’t envisage having three long distance races instead (It never rains but it pours). Well this is what they got, with the first race being at noon on the Saturday. Just two boats raced (Well someone has to go to work) in strong winds blowing from the northeast. Paul Smith won this first event in a Laser with Claire Gibson and her dad Peter coming second having capsized their Dart 18 catamaran in heavy seas.
(A Special thank you to Alan for supplying the pictures)
On Sunday morning with the race starting at 10am some members decided once again to give it a miss and have a lay-in saving their strength for the third Long Distance Race. The morning race saw the return of the Golton family with Brian and Maria sailing a Laser 2000 being beaten by their daughter Hannah in a Laser 4.7. The Hogben boys were back in contention but it was John and James Bennett who won the race in their 59er. After a well-earned lunch the largest fleet of the weekend started the third ‘Long Distance Race’ and up until the northeast mark many boats were in contention but with the wind dropping and a very long run against a strong tide with little wind it was the Hogben boys in their RS Vision who once again showed their skill at sailing down-wind in light breezes who sailed through the fleet to take second behind Brian and Maria Golton on handicap. A special thank you goes to the safety boat crews who probably spent more time on the water this weekend than the Dunkirk fleet during the War.
That's sailing for you, one minute a Cockerel, next minute a feather duster.
Final Results
1st Brian & Maria Golton – Laser 2000
2nd Matthew & David Hogben – RS Vision.
3rd Hannah Golton – Laser 4.
Comments
Long Distance ?
Great report Dai, as ever, but I couldn't let this event pass without comment although I don't want to sound sour. Long Distance 2 did not start at 10:00, I think it was nearer 11:00 and although there was a good course and great wind, it was all rather wasted as we only got one lap. I'm pretty sure everyone was back in by 12:00 which meant a long wait until the afternoon start. We could have easily fitted in another lap and Alan would have got even more pics to add to his growing 'Embarrassing moments' folder. Having made the effort to get there in the morning (hour + drive) it was a shame the morning's race was a bit of a let down.
Bruce
Long Distance 2
Hi Bruce
It is great to here your comments as that is the whole reason for having this forum. I'm sure that the Sailing Committee will listen to your thoughts and reconsider the event for next year. I think that the whole of the Cat fleet must feel aggrieved at present as they have little chance of winning anything unless there are really strong winds and perhaps ought to have their own Cat start for most races? Certainly having travelled as far as you do I can see why you would feel deflated, having spent so little time on the water. I know that Paul Smith and John Bennett have similar feelings. Lets see what the reaction is from other members?
Dai
Long Distance ?
Interesting point there, Dai, re starts. I am on the sailing committee and I think it would be worth starting to poll opinions from the cat fleet so that come the boat owners meeting at the end of the season we can base our decisions on researched wishes. . Other classes may have their own views and Dai is right, we should be airing those views on this forum so that committee members can pick up some of the flows and eddies of opinion that might not find their way on agendas. Feed back is invaluable as our club is, after all, run by the members for the members. Don't be intimidated by the fact that this forum can be read by any visitor. In a way that acts as a deterrent to anyone thinking of expressing extreme / highly personal attacks. Take a look at the Dart 18 Assoc forum if you want to see how a public spat can spiral out of control leaving red faces all round, I imagine. (thread is Brian Phipps article).
Bruce
Polls and comments on the web site
Bruce, I couldn't agree more. Perhaps we should have a forum for sailing as well as the bar etc to post the comments rather than just on race reports! We could also re-introduce the ability for members to raise their own polls on club issues.
Brian
Forums
Get's my vote, Brian. I'll raise it at the next Sailing Committee. Bruce
Forums created
I have now created the forums as requested, now we all need to encourage members to be active on them.
Of course we can all still talk to each other!