Race 1 - Flukey winds and volcanic ash.
Posted By admin on April 18, 2010
Race 1 finally arrived with the Townie’s just having the edge over the Spaniards, 5 Town boats and 4 PSM’s, good to see MJK making the trip round in his Nat 18, Gorrum, even making the start this time and yes, I knew I shouldn’t have baited him over the bus pass and the zimmer! For the full breakdown after handicaps see the results page.
The race was definitely one of wind changes and sparkling starts for all but the Nat 18 and the Delta who played catch up on the first leg. Mick in Gorrum rounded the Bell first and promptly launched his kite, the Delta just about got there and went for a launch that heroically coincided with a 180 wind shift spreading chaos in the crew and definitely winning a prize for the fastest kite back into the hatch bag ever seen, but not before stopping the Delta dead. Wind shifts on the second leg plagued the remaing boats and at one stage boats were heading in every direction, except for Gorrum who made the mark and the steadier wind and headed for the Harbour mark under kite. next round was Rupert Bear followed by Polly in the Fulmar. Adam in the crabber looked to be grinding it out but was always under pressure from Mick in Raven, the only one design braving it. Tom in Tuvag with the sparkling new Genny wasn’t making ground and JD in Popard and Tony in Tamarind kept the pressure on the others.
MJK and crew (never forget the crew) steadily sailed away from everyone throughout the race crossing the line first, Polly, picking the wind on the last leg to the Bell Buoy happily sailed over the top of the Delta and crossed second, 15 seconds ahead of the Delta, Tom came in fourth, followed by Mike, Tony in Tamarind and Adam holding off a fast finishing JD in Popard (never moved that quick before retirement).
All in all a good first race with light winds bedding the rigs in. Gratefull thanks as ever to the OOD, Colin Rudge who must have thougt it was going to be a fairly quick race until the wind shifts. Weakest excuse of the day goes to Rupert Bear, blaming volcanic ash on the sail slowing them down as the Fulmar charged past!
Another victim of the ash is JQ jnr struggling to handle an enforced stay in Dubai, times are hard ’specially as it’s year end and stocktaking ……… spare a thought for poor Hannah yet again picking up the pieces!
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