Category: Photos

Sunday was the last of the Spring series and at times when the sun managed to find a gap in the clouds it felt more like summer. Any one of five crews was in with a shout for overall honours so all to play for in the final days racing.

With a pleasant F3 from for NE the race team set a good sized windward –leeward course and with the tide still in full flood it would be a good beat, particularly for the slower boats.

With the wind increasing gradually throughout the day and slack water for the final race the changing conditions would suit all boats at some point which was evident with three different winners in three different class of boat.

Race one saw most teams stick close to shore before heading out to the windward mark.  Richard and Robyn (RS400) judged this perfectly to lead at the windward mark, closely followed by Dave & John (400). These two enjoyed a race long tussle with the latter slipping pass in the third lap taking line honours with Richard & Mark (400) finishing third. On corrected time Dave & John beat Nick(Phantom) by just six seconds with Steve (Europe) beating Richard & Robyn by twelve seconds for third

After lap one of the second race, Dave & John held a small lead over Nick who was heading off a trio of 400’s close behind him. Over the next three laps Nick exchanged places the 400’s several times but managed to cross the line just ahead with Richard & Robyn just ahead of Phil & Lorna(400). However, the two ‘slower’ boats had managed to stay in contention with Steve(Europe) taking the win on corrected time and Keith (Laser) second, beating Nick by just two seconds

By the start of the final race it was slack water inshore although still some tide offshore.

After lap one Dave & John held a small lead over Richard & Mark. Close behind them and rounding the leeward gate just two seconds apart were Nick, Richard & Robyn and Phil & Lorna, with Tom & David (505) not far behind. At the line Dave & John just lead Richard & Mark and Nick sailed well to hold off the charge of the 400’s and 505.

On corrected time Nick won by seven seconds from Steve with Dave & John third

Many thanks to the race team for a super days sailing, great conditions and an excellent course which proved a good test for everyone and opportunity for all boats. The team were also busy taking photo’s which are now on the club Flickr page – all 109 of them !

Well done to Nick for winning the Spring Series, managing to count only firsts and seconds toward his tally.

Next week is the first instalment of the Triad series.

Finally, and the best story of the day, after the last race, sailing the 400 back to shore, Phil got down on one knee and proposed. Many congratulations to Phil and Lorna, hope you have a long and happy voyage ahead of you.

Full results here

Thankfully the forecast for the wind to drop to 5 mph never happened and the small fleet who ventured out enjoyed a sunny evening with a F2 from the East.

In race one Richard & Dave had a good first beat and held a small lead in their Xenon after the first lap, closely followed by ‘Team Brown’ in their 400 and Phil in the club Phantom. On lap two Team Brown took a narrow lead on the Xenon with Phil a little further behind and now joined by Curtis in his 700. On the final lap Team Brown had opened up a good lead crossing the line clear ahead of Richard & Dave. On corrected time the Xenon claimed the win with Team Brown nine seconds ahead of Mark in the club Laser.

Team Brown quickly sailed into a clear lead in race two followed by Curtis, with Mark working the shifts on the beat well to be only 18 seconds behind after the first lap. By the finish Team Brown crossed the line over two minutes clear, with Curtis second and the rest of the fleet closely grouped with Mark hanging on to lead the pack over the line. On corrected time Mark just pipped Team Brown by 11 seconds for the win.

Thanks to Adrian for ‘OOD-ing’, providing a very pleasant evenings sailing and also for acting as unofficial photographer (pictures now on club firckr site)

Full results here

There were lovely blue skies on arrival at the club for Act 6 of the Spring Series. The sea was surprisingly flat considering the recent high winds and a F2-3 wind from somewhere between S and SW !

The race team set a good sized Windward Leeward course and with the tide still ebbing it was a long beat into the tide.

In the first race the fleet split with some heading inshore and some choosing to stay offshore. The wind was very shifty, at times it was almost possible to be heading directly to the windward mark until being headed as the wind returned to the South. Phil (700), Nick (Phantom) and Dave & John (400) headed the fleet followed by Phil & Lorna (400). Behind a three way battle between Steve (Europe), David ( Solution) & Keith ( Laser Rad).  After the first two laps there was little between the first three however on the final two laps Phil managed to open up a gap on Dave & John who were just one minute ahead of Nick.   Keith lead Steve home by just over a minute with David just behind.

On corrected time Nick had a comfortable win with Dave & John second and Phil third.

In line with the forecast the wind picked up for race two, but still varying between S – SW. Phil opened up a good lead on the first lap however, on the second downwind leg the wind shifted and increased. This resulted in Phil approaching the leeward gate low and having to drop his kite early in order to pass through it. Dave & John had gybed earlier and managed to carry the kite all the way allowing them to slip pass momentarily as Phil sailed past on the next windward leg. The downward legs were proving difficult to navigate for the asymmetrics with the regularly shifting wind which was also varying between F2-F4. Meanwhile Nick was very close and again won on corrected time, this time two minutes ahead of Dave & John. Steve managed to sail the Europe well clear of Keith and David, managing a third on corrected time.  

With the forecast predicting strong winds by early afternoon it was decided to head back ashore after the second race which turned out to be a good move. By the time boats were being pulled back up the beach the wind had increased noticeably and soon the sea state had worsened.

Thanks to the race team, tricky day for them and a testing day for sailors.

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Full results here

A much warmer day on the water for the race team and the 10 boats that launched. The forecast for light winds at midday never materialised and the wind gradually increased from a F2 to F4. Although overcast for much of the day we did have several sunny periods, a short spell of rain and some hail once we arrived back onshore.  The wind was shifty and mainly South-ish, plenty of shifts kept everyone focussed.

For race one the race team set a Triangular course taken to Starboard to the approval of many a single hander sailor.  With the tide still flooding most of the fleet headed offshore on the beat to the windward mark.  Phil, sailing his RS700 quickly took the lead closely followed by Dave & John in their RS400, these two opening up a good lead on the rest of the fleet. Behind, a four way battle between Curtis (RS700),  Nick (Phantom), Steve (D-One) and Phil & Lorna in their trusty RS400. On lap two Nick opened up a small lead on the others crossing the line just ahead of Steve. Behind Phil (Contender) and David (Solution) were swapping places with David leading after lap two and Phil slipping pass on the final lap crossing the line two seconds ahead. On corrected time Dave & John just beat Phil, with Nick claiming third.

For race two the race team switched back to our customary Windward-Leeward course. The fleet were closely bunched up the first leg with Dave & John a short way ahead of Phil (RS700). Unfortunately for Dave & John they failed to notice the change to Port course and arriving first at the windward mark promptly rounding the wrong way.  The rest of the fleet apparently had noticed and rounded correctly and headed downwind. By this time the wind had increased to a F4 and the sea had built up a tad to provide some great surfing downwind.

Phil (700) led after the first lap but decided to head back inshore. Dave & John had a good downwind leg slipping into second place. Tom & Will, sailing their 505 joined us for race two and were vying for third with Nick.

With the tide just about to turn the sea state had increased a tad and a few succumbed to their first ‘swim’ of the year. After four laps Dave & John crossed the line a couple of minutes ahead of Nick who had managed to pull clear of Tom & Will after a trawling of their spinnaker.  David had kept the Solution going nicely downwind and finished third on corrected time with Dave & John beating Nick by just five seconds for first.

Big thanks to the race team, a tricky day with a shifting wind requiring a change of position for the windward mark in race two but probably the best sailing conditions we’ve had this year. Pawel’s new toy, a nifty pocket Anemometer recorded 17-18 knots on the water, and by the time we made it ashore the wind had increased further as there were a few white horses to be seen.

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Full results here

There was a chilly ENE F3 breeze on the first Thursday evenings sail.  Seven boats launched including new members Rob & Tom in their Xenon. We were lucky enough to have a few sunny periods but the evening finished with grey skies and a noticeable drop in temperature.

The race team managed to squeeze in two races sailed over Windward –Leeward courses.

In race one Richard & Ed, aka Team Brown raced ahead in their RS400 finishing just ahead of Curtis I his RS700. Behind a trio of Lasers and a Solution vied for next place with Dave leading at the finish.

Race 2 and Curtis managed to get clear ahead at the start and led throughout the race hotly pursued by Team Brown. Behind Dave led the others closely followed by Mark in a Club Laser.

Many thanks to the race team for a great evenings sailing but please turn the thermostat up next week.

Full results here

Another chilly day on the water for the race team, although we did have some sunny periods and the wind was stronger than the light winds forecast making for a good days sailing, plus it kept dry!  Twelve boats ventured out with the predominant trend towards singlehanders continuing. The racing was close all day with a different winner in each race.

The wind did it’s now customary big shift as we started race one, shifting from the North to NE. This made for a rather one sided beat. Phil led the fleet to the windward mark in his RS700. However, as he approached the wind faded and shifted back  for a short while allowing Dave and John to nip pass in their RS400, closely followed by Richard Fryer in his RS300 and Nick in his Phantom. With the race team shortening the race it was a quick reach to the finish line. Eight seconds separated the top three with the order reversed on corrected time and Nick claiming top spot just ahead of Richard.

Once the race team moved the windward mark race two got underway.  Phil made big gains on the long beats into the tide and opened up a big lead, eventually lapping most of the fleet.  Keith (Laser) and David (Solution) had a race long tussle with Keith leading for the first two laps but David overtaking on the final lap but unable to open the gap enough to save his handicap. Phil claimed the win with Dave & John second

Richard & Ed (RS400) nailed the start in race three taking an early lead although Phil soon powered pass to sail another lonely race out front.  Behind a three way battle between two RS400’s and Curtis in his RS700. Dave & John eventually opening up a gap and Team Brown finishing just ahead of Curtis.  Behind them, Steve (D-One), Contender Phil, Richard and Nick were batting for position…. but Steve was only short distance behind in his Europe.  Contender Phil managed to cross the line ahead of the group but Steve earned the win on corrected time just pipping Phil.

Thanks to the race team for a great days sailing even if it was a bit chilly !

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Full results here

In contrast to last week the day started with dark grey skies and a chilly NE’erly F3-4 wind with temperatures in single figures.

The tide had just started to ebb for the first race. Phil, sailing his RS700 bravely started on port but timing is everything and he just crossed the fleet and soon opened up a good lead on the others and was awarded a bonus lap’. The fleet split up the first windward leg with neither side showing a clear advantage at this point. On lap two it started to drizzle, thankfully this was short lived. ‘El Commode’ in his Phantom led the RS400 of Team Brown for the first lap, this was reversed on the second lap and again on the final lap with the Phantom crossing the line first after a delayed spinnaker drop in the RS400!  On corrected time Steve, in his smart new Europe claimed honours by a few seconds from El Commode.

Just before the start of race two the wind eased and swung to the East resulting in a one side beat. Curtis, sailing the club Phantom, timed the start best to take an early lead.  With the wind stabilising from the East the race team shortened the race to one lap. With the tide now picking up the long run back to the finish favoured the spinnaker boats and Team Brown leading the fleet to claim both line honours and the win on corrected time, just beating Curtis.

The change of wind direction brought with it a change in conditions with the cloud clearing and the temperature noticeably warmer, although the wind had eased to a F2.  Once the race team have moved the windward mark race three got underway. With the tide now in full flow most of the fleet ventured offshore up the beat. After the first lap the Phil (RS700), Team Brown (RS400) and El Commode had opened up a good lead on the rest of the fleet.  Behind, the Europe, David in his Solution and Phil sailing his Contender had a race long battle with just a few seconds between them.  Team Brown were enjoying the conditions taking another win, beating the Phantom of El Commode..

By popular demand it was decided to have another race. David, sailing his Solution got his best start of the day crossing the line first and leading for a short while. However, the wind dropped just after the first lap resulting in long downwind legs against the tide. Steve managed to keep the Europe going and was never far behind and recorded a clear win on corrected time, with El Commode claiming another second.

Full results here

Blue skies and a F2 Northerly breeze welcomed us back to the club for the Start of Season races.

It was great to be back, the council had kindly flattened the beach although the sand near the water line was still quite soft.

The race team set a nice sized Windward –Leeward course with a beat into the tide.

Phil quickly adapted to the RS700 having been sailing the family Streaker during the winter and soon opened up a good lead on the rest of the fleet to win by over two minutes.

The RS400’s of Team Brown and Dave & John enjoyed a race long battle with just a few seconds between them and the lead changing on just about every leg.

Adrian, sailing the Club Solution managed to give the other Solution, sailed by David some competition for the first two laps but David managed to break free on the final lap.

The wind had picked up a tad for the second race with a hint of East in it. Phil did a similar job but this time managing to win by over three minutes on corrected time.

Team Brown and Phil & Lorna had a close race until the final lap when Team Brown opened up a small lead. Dave & John suffered a broken Tiller Extn UJ forcing them to retire.

In the singlehanders David led the Laser of Keith by a small margin after the first two laps after which David slowly pulled ahead.

Congratulations top Phil for an emphatic win of the SOS Trophy

Big thank you to the Race team for organising some great weather and racing

Full results here