1st September Bembridge keelboat racing
by Mike Samuelson 2 Sep 16:09 NZST
31 August - 1 September 2024
Three Redwings were initially quite keen to race on Saturday morning however with a breezy NE'erly they decided to give it a miss. It was a similar scenario for the One-Designs who would also have had to contend with transferring from the launch to their boats moored at Under Tyne.
Although there was the possibility of rain and thunder & lightning, Sunday morning's wind forecast looked a lot better. With Sea Breeze station off Garland, four Redwings (from the harbour) and five One-Designs (from Under Tyne) joined the race officers (Mike Samuelson & Jim Coneybeare-Cross) for the first of two races. For their first race, the Redwing course was Janson, Garland, an inflatable leeward mark and back to Garland. After a Committee Boat favoured start, they quickly split tacks and it certainly looked as if those who stayed on starboard came out best at Janson. Enigma (Mark Downer) rounded safely ahead of Toucan (Colin Samuelson), with Harlequin (Xander Shaw) and Ibis (guest helmed by David Curling) an equal distance behind. The run to the inflatable leeward mark and beat back the line saw no change in the order.
Start of the second race on Sunday:
For their second race, the plan was for it to be a bit longer and to finish at Pepe. After a suggestion from Colin, the windward mark was changed to Derrick which was always going to be a challenge if the wind dropped. After a good start they all remained on starboard until passed Priory Bay; indeed Enigma continued on towards Seaview after apparently some confusion onboard over which 'yellow' buoy actually was Derrick! With the breeze dying by the minute, Toucan, Harlequin and Ibis inched their way towards the buoy! Ibis then caught a zephyr and managed to gain enough headway to round it and head back towards the next mark which had by that time been changed to Pepe. Patience and perseverance eventually saw Harlequin drift round, as did Toucan eventually. Sea Breeze then went and picked up Enigma followed by Toucan and Harlequin and towed them back to the harbour. Ibis meanwhile who was almost at Pepe was determined to finish so turned down a tow. For the purpose of scoring for the Velsheda Trophy, the finishing order was Ibis, Harlequin, Toucan and Enigma.
The five One-Designs meanwhile had a slightly shorter first race (Britten instead of Janson). After a fairly 'spread out' start, they soon split tacks with those remaining on starboard coming out ahead at Britten. No 5 helmed by James Beart and No 8 helmed by Alexander Ross were close as they ran down past Garland to the inflatable leeward mark. Initially it looked as if either boat could cross the finish line ahead however with some judicious covering, No 5 came out in front by nearly half a minute after the beat to the line. Penny Stanley, with husband Mark crewing, was third two minutes later.
Set a similar but shorter course to the Redwings, the start of their second race was certainly better than the first race!
Start of the second One-Design race on Sunday:
However not long after the start the breeze started dropping off and after half an hour had vanished almost completely. There were a few zephyrs here and there; indeed Penny Stanley in No 9 found a few and was hopeful of at least getting to Britten, but it was not to be and the race was abandoned with boats being towed by Charlie back onto their harbour moorings.
Early afternoon racing next weekend.