Author: jollysailor

This morning there was a gloomy mist and very little wind and as a result there were only six venturing forth.

It turned out to be a Comet morning with Aileen winning the Pursuit race and Chris H the Handicap race.

The Pursuit very nearly finished in the starting order as at the gun it was –

1^st Aileen/Comet; 2^nd Chris H/Comet; 3^rd Roland/Solo/ 4^th Chris K/Laser; 5^th Emily/4.7 6^th Newton & Sam/RS200

With very little wind the Handicap race was a one lapper and the finishing order was similar to the Pursuit, except that Chris won this one with Aileen in second place. Emily opted out but Paul W/Morbic joined in, but retired along with Newton & Sam leaving just four finishers.

1^st Chris H; 2^nd Aileen; 3^rd Chris K; 4^th Roland.

The order on the water remained unchanged on corrected time.

Thanks to SOOD Paul R, who managed to set a course despite the vagaries of the wind!  Thanks also to the race team of Andrew S, Angus N, Christine H, Paul D and Steve M.

Sunshine and a gentle breeze meant it was much warmer than previous weeks and it definitely brought out a few more sailors, with 15 boats starting the first ever Frostbite Pursuit race. 

SOOD Mark set a course, then Karen who had volunteered to help changed it slightly, resulting in 4P, 9P, 5S, 7S, 6S, S!!

First away Ron in the Mirror, was followed quickly by William in a Topper, Dad Dan in a Pico, and Paul in the Morbic. Then the Comets of Aileen and Chris set off, before Roland in the Solo and Ann/Dave in the Leader. The Lasers of Chris K, Darren, James, Adrian and Rick and the RS200 of Newton/Sam all set off in their normal mass start before finally the 470 with Mike T/Alessandro. 

William in his Topper came round the first lap in the lead closely followed by the Morbic and the Mirror, Aileen was in front of Chris H and Roland in the Solo was between them. Dave/Ann were next followed by Newton/Sam and the Lasers of Chris K, Darren, Adrian and James. The Pico with Dan on board was still ahead of Rick in the final Laser and the 470. 

The second lap saw Newton/Sam leaping to the front of the fleet, followed by Roland, and then the two Chris’s Comet still before Laser. Darren was in front of Aileen, Ann/Dave still holding onto to 7th and William who was starting to slip back, but not as far as Paul and Ron who now only had the Pico behind them with the 470 and the rest of the Lasers getting past them. 

The end of the race saw Newton/Sam in podium position, with Roland still holding onto 2nd from Chris K in 3rd.

Jeremy in his Laser decided to join in for the first Frostbite Handicap race making 16 starters. An interesting start from the 470 caused a bit of chaos, when they attempted a port flier but didn’t succeed! Darren definitely was not happy!! 

Chris K in a Laser came round the first lap just in front of the RS200 of Newton/Sam, then another Laser with Darren onboard. Roland was going really well in the Solo, followed by James in a Laser, then the 470 and the Leader. Adrian, Rick and Jeremy were all close together, followed by the Comets with Aileen just in front of Chris. The Topper, Mirror and Mobic were also all close together a bit further back and Dan in the Pico bought up the rear. 

Lap 2 saw Chris K pulling out a lead of a minute from Darren, who was followed by the 470, then the RS200. Roland was still there in the Solo, but James was very close behind, just in front of Dave/Ann in the Leader. Rick had passed Adrian to be the first of the next Laser trio, and Aileen was beginning to pull away from Chris in the battle of the Comets. A fair gap back to the slower boats but the Mirror was now leading the Topper and the Morbic with Dan falling a bit further behind. 

Lap 3 saw only a few changes in position, Newton/Sam overhauled the 470, and William in the Topper got past Ron as the four slower boats were finished having been lapped by the front runners who were already on Lap 4.

Lap 4 was the final lap and no one changed position, Chris K taking first on the water followed by Darren, Newton/Sam, Mike T/Alex, Roland and James. 

Memorably Aileen lowered Chris Hilson’s colours in the battle of the Comets crossing the line neatly one minute ahead of him!!

Corrected times saw podium place going to Chris K in a Laser, Darren 2nd in a Laser and Roland 3rd in a Solo. 

Thanks to the Race Team of Karen, Ben and Bea, the Rescue Boat teams of Mark and Ken, Adrian and Dick and Trolley Man Chris. 

Yet another cold, windy day (but not as bad as forecast) and the number of OODs exceeded the number of sailors!! 

Four brave souls started the Pursuit race, two Lasers Darren braving the full rig and James opting to reduce sail, Chris in a reduced sail Comet and Ron in his Mirror. 

SOOD Karen had set a course starting at Tectona of Ap (close to 4), Bp ( between 4 and 2), 8p, 5p, 1s. Ron was first away and stayed in front for the first 2 laps, Chris kept his place for the first lap. By the end of the second lap Darren was right on Ron’s transom and Chris was the tail ender. Darren finished in podium position with Ron second, and James third. Not really sure why James decided to celebrate with a capsize, including wrapping his mainsheet around mark 1 just as the gun went, because it was definitely too cold for swimming!! 

With no hanging around Karen and Bea got the Handicap race started (they were cold and wanted to get ashore, the rescue boat crews had both had brief respites ashore to warm up!) 

In the first lap shifting, gusty wind near 5 was the cause of a capsize for Darren who fell out the boat to windward in a lull, and then in a shift and gust the boat went over allowing James to catch up a bit, but not for long. No tactical racing for anyone as each sailor did their best to stay upright and just got round the course as best they could. 

Four laps for Darren and James, who lost a lot of ground in irons after a gusty shift (Push, Push, Wait, Pull, Pull is the quickest method for getting out of irons James!) and, probably relieved that they had been lapped, three for Chris and Ron. 

Order on the water was Darren, James, Chris, Ron, On corrected time Ron leapfrogs to second behind winner Darren. 

A very big thank you to the race team of Karen and Bea, and the Rescue boat team of Alistair S, Ainoha, Bill C and Alessandro. 

These were the last races of the Cobley series. 

Cobly Pursuit winners are Newton and Sam (plus various other crews), with Darren second and Chris H third. 

Cobley Handicap winner is Chris K, with Darren second and Newton and Sam (plus various other crews) third. 

Thanks to Karen for this entertaining report.

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. 

It was a cold wind of about 8 mph from the North this morning. Mark set a course of  Ap,  5p , 9s , 2s, S.Despite the cold there was a good turn out of 23 boats including James C with his RS300, a new addition to our mixed class fleet. As usual Lasers were predominant with nine boats out, then three Comets, two Solos, two Mirrors, a 4.7, RS200, Leader, Wayfarer, Vago, Morbic and a Partridge in a Pear Tree (no – that’s coming next month!).

James C in the RS300 led for every lap and he was so far ahead he lapped everyone else and consequently did one more lap than the rest of the fleet!

Aileen retired her Comet  after two laps and Lucy in a Laser and Paul W in the unique Morbic were finished after three laps.

Martin in a Laser received the gun after four laps, followed by three boats in a close finish, Sally in her Comet just ahead of Hilary & Chris in their Wayfarer and Rhys in the 4.7. Then it was the turn of the two Mirrors to receive the gun with Ron some way ahead of Christine.

Then the five lappers, who had been preceded by James C (who was sent round for another lap), came to take the gun with Richard S in his Laser leading Newton & Jasmine in the RS200 with Mike T in a Laser on their transom to take 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th places on the water.  Not far behind these Roland and Mike C crossed their Solos in 5^th and 6th after enjoying a race long battle. The next three were close together with James P in his Laser leading Chris H (Comet) and Darren (Laser) across the finish line. Then along came the Lasers of Alessandro (abandoning his 470) and Alistair S who finished only 15 seconds apart, Behind them there was an even closer finish with Ainhoa in a Laser pipping Adrian in his Vago by one second!

On corrected time the final order was – 1^st Chris H; 2^nd James C; 3^rd Roland S; 4^th Mike C; 5^th Richard S; 6^th Mike T

Thanks to SOOD Mark Buckle and the race team of Bill Coulter, John Reekie, Matt Baxter, John Wakefield, James Morl and Thomas.

A very cold, sunny day, with a northerly wind of 12 mph and gusting lots more at times. SOODs Karen and Aileen (who was being trained) set a course starting from Tectona to 5p, Ap (half way back to 4), 9s, 1s, Bs (half way to 2). 

The pursuit race saw 24 boats starting, including four boats from one family – that has to be a record?! Well done Dan, Rebecca, William and Frances. 

First off was Ron in his Mirror. Dan and Rebecca in Picos, William and Frances in Toppers and Jewels in her Mirror should have also been starting early but were all late to the start line and started randomly as they arrived! Paul was somewhere in the Mobic, Chris in his Comet, the Solos of Mike and Roland, then the Leader with Dave and Ann onboard all got going before the mass Laser start along with the RS200 of Newton and Sam. Last, but not least, to finally start at 10.5 minutes was James C in his RS300 which fairly flew round the course. Martin in his Laser capsized very early on and retired before completing a lap, and Hattie in her Laser capsized lots but persisted until the end of the race.

The end of the first lap saw Ron still out front, followed by Paul in the Mobic, Chris in the Comet and William in his Topper, with Dave and Ann in fifth place The second lap saw Ron, Chris then the first Laser with Darren onboard beginning to come through, followed by James in his Laser. Dave & Ann were still hanging in there still in fifth. Some lapping was also beginning to happen now, making it all very complicated and confusing for Karen, Aileen and Bea on Tectona!

The end of the third lap and Ron was still there, but now followed by Darren, Chris K and James in Lasers with Chris in the Comet down to fifth.

The end of the race saw boats on different laps all intermingled, but fortunately everyone was on a downwind leg, making Aileen, Hadey and Alex’s job confusing but doable in the finish boat.

Podium places all went to Lasers – Darren, Chris K and James P (who was incredibly lucky to finish in front of James C in the RS300 who was right on his heels). Chris H was 5^th and Jon in another Laser was 6^th.

It was very cold so Mike C, and Frances decided enough was enough and went ashore to the warmth of the clubhouse leaving 21 boats to start the handicap race. 

30 seconds to go saw Newton and Sam in the RS200 and Jon in his Laser over the line but amazingly they managed to find space to duck back before the gun went! Darren wasn’t quite so lucky, a couple of seconds too early right at the ODM meant he had nowhere to go other than across the line prematurely prompting an individual recall from Tectona (Thanks Darren – it meant Aileen in training as a SOOD learned what to do when someone is over the line at the start – sound one hoot after the start hoot and fly the white flag with the blue cross. Leave the flag flying until the early starter has restarted correctly and then take it down).

First round at the end of the lap was James in the RS300 flying machine, followed by Chris K in a Laser, then Newton and Sam in the RS200, lots more Lasers -Ralph, James, Jon, Darren, Gareth. Dave and Ann in the Leader, Chris in the Comet and Richard in a Laser were all together and Roland in a Solo and Alistair and Nigel in yet more Lasers weren’t far behind. Jewels in her Mirror was already a minute ahead of Ron in his and they were followed by Hattie in the final Laser, Paul in the Mobic and Rebecca in a Pico, William in a Topper and Dan in a Pico.

Lap 2 didn’t see much change in the order, though the RS300 was already lapping the slower boats, Chris K started pulling away from the rest of the Lasers and Darren picked up a place. Chris in the Comet dropped a few places and Roland in the Solo gained a few. 

Lap 3 saw Hattie capsizing yet again and being towed ashore wet and cold by Jeremy and Nick in the rescue boat. Jon got past James, Darren gained another place and Roland was doing well in the Solo. Jewels was now 2.5 minutes in front of Ron and going really well. 

Lap 4 saw Darren picking up to third and Newton and Sam drop back a bit, James P lost his hat when the Laser boom swiped it off his head and then later in the lap capsized – Bea you’re not supposed to laugh at your Dad, but Karen agrees – it was funny! Rebecca capsized in the Pico and took a long time to get going again but still managed to stay in front of Dan. The Mobic, Ron in his Mirror, the Topper and Picos were all finished on this lap as they had all been lapped by the faster boats. Jewels was going too well in her Mirror and had to do another lap!

Lap 5 didn’t see many changes in position but everyone except the RS300, the RS200 and the first group of Lasers were finished on this lap as they had all been lapped by the time the RS300 came across the line.

Lap 6 finished with the order on the water being James C in the RS300 followed by the Lasers of Chris K, Darren, Ralph, then the RS200 of Newton and Sam , then the Lasers of James P and Jon.

Corrected time saw a change in the results with the Lasers of Chris K and Darren taking first and second followed by Jewels in the Mirror, Ralph in a Laser fourth and James C in the RS300 dropping to fifth with James P sixth.

Thanks to the OOD team of Karen, Aileen, Bea, Hadey, Alex, Jeremy and Nick who all deserve medals because it was very cold!

A cold blustery day but at least the sun was out! 13 boats started the pursuit race and SOOD Karen set a course starting at Tectona of Bp (between 3 and 4), 2p 9p, Ap (between 4 and 5), 1s.

Pursuit Race

Karen’s nephew Alex was visiting and led for most of the race in a club Topper. At the end of the first lap Ron in the Mirror was second, followed by Chris in the Comet, Rhys in a Radial, Roland in a reefed Solo, Jon who had gone down to a Radial, James still brave enough to go with the Standard (probably because Rhys had borrowed the Radial though!), Newton in the RS200 with Lottie crewing for him this week, Mike in a Solo, Ralph in a Radial, Adrian who had gone down to a Standard, Steve in a Blaze and Mike T and Alex bringing up the rear in the 470. 

The second lap got interesting with a few capsizes Rhys was the first to go – in backwards downwind, followed by the classic in again as soon as he was upright! James was mean enough to laugh as he sailed past too! Next to go were Newton and Lottie who well and truly dug the mast into the mud and needed rescue boat help to recover, Steve also took a dunking from the Blaze! All very entertaining for Karen and Bea on Tectona! 

Alex, followed by Ron were still out the front but Jon and James had worked their way up to 3rd and 4th. Roland held 5th, Chris dropped to 6th followed closely by the Mike/Alex, Ralph, Adrian, Rhys and Mike C and Steve. Newton was well back but did continue the race.

The end of lap 3 saw Jon and James getting past Ron, but Alex was still holding on to the lead. Roland was consistent in 5th followed by Mike/Alex, Adrian and Steve who really recovered well from his capsize. Rhys was still in 9th but Ralph had dropped to 10th, with Mike still in 11th with Chris back long way in 12th. Unusual to see but Newton /Lottie were last!

A short time before the end Jon and James finally passed Alex in the Topper but everyone else only changed up or down one place.

Final positions were Jon, James, Alex who as a visitor graciously retired meaning Ron finished 3rd.

Handicap Race

The Handicap race saw 15 starters – MikeC had had enough and gone in but Jeremy with Jazmine perched on the front and Chris K joined in their Lasers, along with Paul in the Mobic.

There was a little bit of pushing and shoving on the start line – Karen thinks a few more penalty turns should have been done!! The 470 of Mike/Alex came through in first place at the end of the first lap but promptly had to retire with a jib falling down! James and Jon were battling with Steve in the Blaze and Chris in the Laser very close behind. Roland, Ralph and Adrian were also very close followed by Newton/Lottie before a short gap to a battling Chris, Rhys and Alex. Jazmine was having fun on the front of Jeremys Laser but they really weren’t going well being only just in front of Ron. It is thought Paul in the Mobic might have got lost on route but he did eventually appear!

Lap 2 saw Rhys capsizing downwind again and retiring worn out! Chris had pulled through to the front, Jon and James were still battling joined by Steve who retired at the end of the lap. Adrian and Newton/Lottie pulled up a couple of places passing Roland and Ralph. Alex in the Topper was now in front of Chris who was perplexed as to why a Topper was in front of him – less so when he found out Alex was a relative of Karen’s! Ron got in front of Jeremy.

Lap 3 saw the Lasers changing places again with Jon followed by Chris and James with Newton/Lottie on his heels. Roland and Ralph were still together. Alex was still in front of Chris and Ron was still in front of Jeremy.

Lap 4 saw Jazmine falling off the Laser and Jeremy attempting to stop and wait for her to swim to him!! (Karen says she’ll teach you Man Overboard drill Jeremy!) When she finally arrived they retired. Jon was still in front, Newton/Lottie and Adrian had passed James. Ralph was just in front of Roland. Alex, Chris and Ron were finished as they were crossing just before and with the Lasers on Lap 5.

Finishing order on the water was Chris K, Jon, Newton, James, Adrian but calculated results saw Alex in the Topper taking first place before again retiring, with Chris, Jon and Newton retaining their on water positions for the first three places.

Thanks to Karen, Bea, Mike N, Hadey, Thomaz and Steve.

                                …..and thanks to Karen for this entertaining report

The morning started off very wet and very windy with a SSW wind of 13 – 20 mph and much stronger gusts coming through. There were only a few hardy takers with a fleet of just six for the first race.

Peter R set a first beat down to 3 then 2, 5, 7 and back through the start.

Pursuit Race

Ron, first man away in his Mirror, was still ahead at the end of the first lap, but Darren (Laser) was fast approaching. Newton & Sam (RS200) were in 3^rd place followed by Chris H (Comet), Alex & Mike T (470) and Ralph (Laser). At the 35 minute gun the order was – 1^st Darren; 2^nd Newton & Sam; 3^rd Alex & Mike T; 4^th Ron; 5^th Chris H; 6^th Ralph.

Handicap Race

Peter shortened the course by using 4 as the first mark rather than No 3, but the wind was still strong and gusty.

Ralph and Newton & Sam decided to finish early and only four made it to the end of the first lap. Darren led by 3 minutes from Ron with Chris H another 2 minutes further back and Mike T & Alex bringing up the rear.

Peter decided two laps was enough in these conditions and the final order on the water was – 1^st Darren; 2^nd Mike T & Alex; 3^rd Ron; 4^th Chris H.

On corrected time the order becomes – 1^st Darren; 2^nd Ron; 3^rd Chris H; 4^th Mike T & Alessandro

Well done lads for making it to the end!

Thanks to SOOD Peter Rose and the race team of Ferdinando, John Hayes, Rob Harrison, Roland Smith and Tom Adams.

It was a pleasant sunny morning with a 12 mph wind from the South, but it was quite gusty and as a result there were a number of capsizes. Sally, Christine and Martin turned out, but decided that the conditions warranted discretion and wisely sat it out.

Ron set a first beat to 2 then 5, 9, 7,3, 4.

 Pursuit Race

There were 13 starters and unusually the first four at the end of a lap were still in the same position when the 35 minute gun went. Mike C(Solo) crossed the line in 5th place but was only 4 seconds ahead of Newton & Lottie (RS200), who had just got past Chris H (Comet).  James (Laser) was about to pass Chris as well and Richard S in another Laser was chasing James.

Behind them, Alessandro & Mike T (470) crossed the line in 10^th place just ahead of Adrian (Rooster).

Aileen (Comet), Jonas (Lightning – yes, we now have a fleet, well a pair anyway – some may say a right pair!) and Rick & Jon (RS200) did not quite make a lap before the gun sounded.

The final order was – 1^st Roland (Solo); 2^nd Dave & Ann (Leader); 3^rd Ralph (Laser); 4^th Chris K (Laser); 5^th Newton & Lottie (RS200); 6^th Richards S (Laser).

Handicap Race

Ron changed the course for the second race using 2, 5, 9, 7, 6. Newton & Lottie were first back across the line about 40 seconds ahead of Richard S in 2^nd place. He was followed closely by Alex & Mike, Roland and James battling for 3^rd place. About 20 seconds later there was a really close group led by Ralph, then Chris K, Adrian, Dave & Ann and Rick & Jon with only 3 seconds covering all six boats! I The remaining three were evenly spaced with Chris H ahead of Mike C and Aileen.

By the end of the second lap Alex & Mike had taken the lead with Newton & Lottie still 2^nd, but Chris K had moved up four places to 3^rd. James had gained a place by passing Roland and was now in 5^th place. Ralph disappeared from 6^th, presumably capsized then retired and Adrian remained in 7^th place. Rick & Jon were up two places to 8^th with Dave & Ann steady in 9^th. Mike C had moved up to 10^th spot by passing Chris H and Aileen received the gun at the end of the lap.

The third and last lap saw a very close finish to the race with Newton & Lottie cross the line just one second ahead of Chris K and only 15 seconds ahead of Alex & Mike in 3^rd place. Richard S crossed the line on his own to take 4^th place, but there was another very close battle for 5^th with Rick & Jon gaining three places to pip James by a second. This surge of Rick & Jon pushed Roland down to 7^th and Adrian to 8^th with Dave & Ann in the 9^th position they had held all race. Mike C finished 10^th ahead of Chris H.

The order on the water was –

1^st Newton & Lottie; 2^nd Chris K; 3^rd Alex & Mike; 4^th Richard S; 5^th Rick & Jon; 6^th James.

On corrected time this becomes –

1^st Chris K; 2^nd Roland; 3^rd Newton & Lottie; 4^th Richard S; 5^th James; 6^th Rick & Jon

Thanks to SOOD Ron and the race team of Matt B, Patrick C, Doug H, Phil M, Carston P and Paul W.

Apologies for missing you from the race report, but thanks to Alistair S for coming to my rescue!

SOOD –         Adrian Frost

PB_Lead –     Leon Skilling

PB_Second – Ferdinando Micaletto

OOD –            Janos Ratkai

OOD –            Patrick Crowley

OOD –            David Sadler

Thank you gentlemen for turning up for duty on the 17th October.

Without your efforts (and those like you every week) we would not be able to run races.

We do appreciate it.