Sailing yesterday
The forecast for Ben Ainslie at Weymouth yesterday was “challenging and gusty”. The same could have been said for Bewl. As well as the south westerly wind blowing 4-5 there were also gusts of up to 26 knots. Trimming the sails was like doing the hokey cokey…..in out, in out and getting shaken all about.
The forecast for Ben Ainslie at Weymouth yesterday was “challenging and gusty”. The same could have been said for Bewl. As well as the south westerly wind blowing 4-5 there were also gusts of up to 26 knots. Trimming the sails was like doing the hokey cokey…..in out, in out and getting shaken all about.
Nine of us took on the elements in the morning and Chris ,working from the race-box, had set a familiar course for this wind direction of H T N W Gate. By the first mark, Geoff had squeezed into the lead with Roger and Paddy leading the breakaway group with the peloton ( If bikes can have pelotons why can’t boats?) not far behind. With spinnakers up on the next leg, we just flew across the lake then turned right for the beat up to N with helms looking for the fastest route, although the wind-shifts were making this difficult . Geoff then increased his lead on the very long run down to W.
Back in Festina this week, we were back marker but not by too much when, just after mid-day, we found ourselves on the third or fourth lap approaching the gate. Shortly before we got there we heard a sound signal and looking at the race-box saw someone frantically waving a flag. As we crossed the line we heard another hooter and thought that we had been finished early only to see the rest of the fleet continue for, not just one, but two more laps. Apparently all the excitement in the race-box had been caused by an Oppie being over the line for the start of their second race! However, it did mean that Jennie and I got into the clubhouse before the queue built up and could also help Paddy coming ashore with a broken main halyard after first, successfully overtaken Roger.
Geoff however, could not be caught and crossed the line in first place with the next five boats all finishing within seconds of each other but with Roger holding on to second place and Dan third. Dick, while crossing the line last on the water, has the handicapping advantage of his silver boat and final placings could change.
After lunch, the wind had got up even more and only four of us started. Over a shorter course, Jim quickly took the lead and, with his spinnaker up on all the runs down to W, established an unassailable lead. Robin ran over his spinnaker on the first drop which let Alex through to take second place but, with the gusts getting worse, neither boat flew spinnakers after this lap. By the end of the first lap, Jennie and I had a brief committee meeting, decided that it was gear breaking conditions and we weren’t having fun, (which is the only reason we sail!) and retired to the shore.
Olympics
All the World’s eyes will be on Richard and Jane Kingsnorth on Friday 10 August as they are responsible for starting the women’s Elliott 6m match racing event at Weymouth which is being televised. They have put a lot of hard work and dedication into securing this never to be repeated, responsible position so very well done to you both. You can follow the proceedings, live, on BBC3 at 2.00pm. Richard says he will give us a wave. Just the hand will be enough, Richard, don’t pick up the black flag in error!
Keith
