The second instalment of the summer didn’t quite live up to the previous one in terms of weather. The sky was full of white and very grey clouds, the wind a F3-4 SSW’erly but the sea was reasonably flat, well it was when we first arrived !
Five boats prepared to launch although one opted to stayed ashore as by that time the sea had stated to ‘liven up’.
Phil, who had swapped his RS700 to guest helm Keith in the RS500 where first across the line in race one. However, they were also the first to capsize only 100 metres into the beat when they caught a header resulting in Keith being ‘tea bagged’. This left the two RS400’s to take over the lead although a fast recovery meant the RS500 was only a short distance behind. Pawel, sailing his Sprint 15 made up the fleet following a little way behind
With the tide now started to ebb everyone opted to go inshore with Phil & Keith taking over the lead buy the windward mark closely followed by Simon & Bruce (RS400). Downwind these two opted to go offshore with Richard and guest crew for the day David (RS400) choosing to go inshore hoping to find a flatter sea as by this time it was getting ‘big’.
The offshore route proved to be the faster with leading two boats opening up a good lead which they held to the finish with Phil & Keith taking line honours.
With a few white horses now showing their heads only two boats stayed for race two. Simon & Bruce were motoring up the beat, with some impressive hiking from Bruce obviously assisting in this as they lead at the windward mark and the leeward gate.
However a capsize near the windward mark on lap two allowed Phil & Keith into the lead which they held to the finish.
With the combination of grey skies, a wind now F4 gusting 5 and a big sea we decided to head for shore for an early lunch. This proved a good decision as just as we finished packing the boats away and retreated to the clubhouse for lunch it started raining. Thanks to Anna for preparing lunch so it was ready when we come back ashore.
Note that it’s the Thursday Evening Regatta next week with 2-3 races planned and it’s the Beach Regatta next weekend. The forecast for both is looking good.
