Sunshine but with an offshore wind it was going to be a challenging day, with three races resulting in three different winners
The shifty conditions created many snakes and ladders on the course with large gains and losses made both upwind and downwind. With the wind usually shifting to the North a tad inland, the trick was to work your way to the right hand side of the course to approach the windward mark on starboard to enjoy the lift to the mark. Downwind required concentration for the asymmetrics as the wind fluctuated in both direction and strength so judging angles proved difficult.
Race 1- Dave & John (RS400) led round the windward mark followed by Anna & Keith (RS500) and Phil (RS700). Phil overtook downwind to lead after lap one. On lap two Dave & John retook the lead crossing the line just ahead of Phil with Nick (Phantom) third, just ahead of Richard & Robin (RS400). Dave& John managed to hold on to first on corrected time by just eight seconds, with Richard (Laser) second and Nick third.
Race 2 – following the lessons learnt in race one the fleet were more packed rounding the windward mark this time with Richard right up with the faster boats. The majority of the fleet completed lap one within a minute of the leading boat, the RS700, closely followed by Dave & John and Nick. Just behind Richard & Robyn (RS400) and Phil & Lorna (RS400) were fighting for position with just a few seconds between them throughout the race with the former just keeping their nose (bowsprit!) ahead. On lap two the fleet had spread out with Phil leading and increasing his lead on the final lap crossing the line nearly two minutes ahead of Dave & John and Nick. However, Richard (Laser) had kept within close range to win on corrected time, with Nick second.
Race 3 – Phil clearly had saved all his ‘ladders’ for the final race as he did a horizontal job on the fleet, crossing the line over five minutes ahead of the next boat and saving his time to take the win on corrected time. Nick led the chasing fleet after lap one although the RS400‘s of Dave & John and Richard and Robyn edged passed by the final lap. However, on corrected time Nick recorded another second place and Richard third.
Back ashore we enjoyed the now customary pie and beer on the prom, basking in sunshine, a very pleasant end to the day. Many thanks to the race team for a challenging but enjoyable day on the water. Results are on the club site. Also, thanks to Jamie for the photos taken from his phone which are now on the club Flickr site.
Full results – http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2022/2022ClubRegs
Pictures – GYGSC’s albums | Flickr