Cobley Series 11 – 28th November 2021

Winter had definitely arrived and only the brave ventured out onto the water in temperatures of ‘feels like – 2’, only the sun made it bearable for the race team! Fortunately, Storm Arwen had passed through, leaving a perfect strength but shifty breeze, but not without taking a tree down on the track to the sailing club! SOOD Dave had help from one of our neighbors with a chainsaw to remove it before he could even get to the club to open up! The Pursuit race had 11 starters and the team on Tectona, (Karen, Hadey and Bea) set a course of 4p, 2p, 9p, AP (between 4 and 5),1, S. 

First off was Ron in his Mirror, followed by Chris in his Comet, then the Solos of Roland and Mike C. Newton/Sam in the RS200 and the Lasers of Darren, Chris K, Ralph, James and Mark, with a questionable windward boat incident, were off before finally Mike/Ali in the 470 got going. 

The first lap finished with all the slower boats still out front followed by 

the Lasers of Darren, Chris K and Ralph followed by Newton/Sam in the RS200 before James and Mark. The 470 had not yet passed anyone. 

Lap 2 saw Chris in his Comet passing Ron, who had Roland right on his tail and Mike C not far behind.  Chris K had passed Darren, and Newton/Sam had passed Ralph. 

The final Lap saw Chris K capsize, (that must have been chilly) and lose lots of places, but the slower boats held the top three positions with Chris finishing just in front of Roland, and Ron keeping in front of Darren. 

Mike C decided enough was enough and Emily came out, having arrived late and taken a very long time to rig her boat! The handicap race therefore had 11 starters with a very slight course change, Karen deciding a better reach was to be had by replacing 2 with B which shortened the leg from 4. 

Hot chocolate with marshmallows kept Bea warm on Tectona, whilst doing a sterling job of hauling flags up and down. 

Lap 1 saw the rare sight of Mike/Ali in the 470 out the front, followed by Newton/Sam. The Lasers were split with Roland going really well in his Solo in amongst them, Chris K, Darren and Ralph in front of him and James and Mark behind him. Emily was in front of Chris H, and last but not least was Ron. 

Lap 2 saw the double handers changing positions, and Roland and James getting past Ralph when he was forced to do turns by not keeping clear to windward of Darren. (Karen’s top tip – it is a lot quicker to do your penalty turns with your main in and your daggerboard down!!!). Chris H was in front of Emily, but they were having a really good race. 

Lap 3 saw Newton/Sam still out the front, but Chris K had passed the 470 and Roland was now in front of Darren. This time round Emily was in front of Chris! Ron was finished at the end of this lap as by the time he came round the first five boats had finished their fourth and final lap. 

The final lap saw Chris K take the gun getting past Newton/Sam on the penultimate leg, next in was Mike/Ali followed by Darren then Roland. 

Corrected times saw Roland leaping into first place, 2 secs in front of Chris K, with Newton/Sam taking third. 

Thanks to the race team of Dave &, Ann L, Karen, Hadey, Bea, Richard M, Simon B and Martin L.