Bembridge Sailing Club early September keelboat racing
by Mike Samuelson 9 Sep 15:37 NZST
7-8 September 2024
A weekend of not much wind and on Sunday very heavy rain! Scheduled for two races for both classes on Saturday afternoon, the Race Officer team of Laurence and Crispin pulled the plug after the first Redwing race and ended up abandoning the One-Design race.
Initially set Moreton, Britten and Undertyne, it ended up being shortened after the windward mark to Janson and Undertyne. A slow but good start with Ibis (Tom Scott) crossing the start line first after giving no room to Blue Jay (Richard Jessel) so having to make a penalty turn after the start. Ibis and Blue Jay made it to the windward mark roughly 30 mins later. Quintessence (Robin Ebsworth) meanwhile retired after the wind dropped to 1 knot. Despite the paucity of breeze, Ibis and Blue Jay managed to finish the race with Tom taking the winning gun 15 mins ahead of Richard. A slow and frustrating race.
Only two One-Designs - No7 helmed by Charles Abel Smith and No 8 helmed by Sarah Marshall. Both started well with No 7 making an excellent get away. Sadly due to the lack of wind, a strong tide and an Easterly swell, neither boats made it to Moreton; indeed despite a shortened course back to Undertyne, even that turned out to be unachievable so both boats retired and were towed in by Charlie.
With a variable F2 breeze in the offing the same three Redwings decided that it was going to be worth rigging up and trying to get a race in. Positioning themselves at Undertyne, the Race Officers (Mike & Laurence) initially set up the line with Fitzwilliam as the windward mark, then they changed it to Tara and finished off with Janson. The heavens then opened and gave everyone a real soaking.
Tempted to abandon and tow back into the harbour, a start was eventually made (actually only 10 minutes late) with Ibis crossing the start line well ahead of Blue Jay and Quintessence. Not long after all three had started, the breeze backed to the NW then SW so the first leg became a slow reach. Ibis was first to reach Janson and start the beat to Footprint with Blue Jay second and Quintessence third. Slow but steady progress was made to Footprint where the next mark was announced as Garland. Frustratingly, the breeze dropped off again and so it was decided to stop the race there and tow everyone back into harbour. Another win by Tom, with Richard second and Robin third.
There were no One-Designs, but thanks to Charles and Sarah (and Charlie) all the One-Designs are now back on their harbour moorings.
No racing next weekend.