Author: jollysailor

Frostbite Series 3 and 4 were cancelled due to the flooding, but normal service was resumed today, and it was quite a pleasant morning. The wind was SW 13 mph with gusts up to 18 mph. Mike A set the first beat to 4 then A (which was around the normal position of 2), 5, 8, 6,7 and back through the start. Mike originally put 2 up on the board until Adrian enquired if 2 was actually in position. A quick search revealed Buoy 2 lying by the boat shed, which would have made an interesting course!

There were 18 starters, the highest number since 4^th August 2019! Before the actual start Nev came to grief when trying to shout something to Mike A and Dave I, who were manning the race start. Unfortunately, neither of them hears too well, so as Nev tried to get his message across, rather than concentrating on the wind, he was bowled over, but he did manage to make the start.

First back through the line was Julian B (D-Zero) who was 7 seconds ahead of Ralph in 2^nd place. Newton (Solo) came through one minute later in 3^rd spot with Steve S (Laser) in 4^th, 18 seconds further back. James and Mark (both Lasers) crossed the line virtually together contesting 5^th place. Next along were the two Leaders of Mike C & Sally and Dave & Ann and they enjoyed a race long battle. Close together behind them were the two Lasers of Rick and Adrian followed 10 seconds later by Ken in a Radial. Then there was a 20 seconds gap before Sam & Emily, going well in the RS200, crossed the line in 12^th place. Nev in his Comet was not far behind, closely followed by Chris H in another Comet. After a minute had elapsed Ron arrived in the Mirror, closely followed by Rhys (4.7), Jeremy (Laser) and Lottie (Radial). It was a wonder thar Jeremy had actually caught the fleet as he was still making last minute rigging adjustments as the start hooter sounded (still he’s used to that!)

At the end of the second lap Julian still led, but Ralph was keeping him honest by maintaining the same gap.  Newton had lost a little ground (or water) on the first two but was still a minute clear of Mark who had moved up to 4^th. James held 5^th place with Dave & Ann moving up to 6^th by passing Mike & Sally and Steve S. Adrian and Chris both gained a place by moving past Rick and Nev respectively. Further back Rhys passed Ron and Jeremy passed both of them to move up two places.

On the third lap Julian had slightly increased his lead on Ralph, who was trying hard to keep in touch.

Newton was now just one second ahead of Mark as they crossed the line. The next group of boats were all close together enjoying a good battle for 5^th place and at the line Mike & Sally held that position with Adrian, Dave & Ann and James chasing them. Sam & Emily gained three places to move up to 9th with Steve S in 10^th only one second behind them. Rick dropped to 11^th just ahead of Ken, who was 40 seconds ahead of Chris H, Jeremy and Nev. Behind them Rhys and Ron were still having a good battle and Lottie was gaining on them.    

At the gun Julian was first across the line with an increased lead over Ralph, but probably not enough to take the victory on handicap. Newton and Mark held their positions, but Adrian won the battle for the 5^th place. Steve S had a good last lap making up four places to cross in 6^th and James repassed the Leaders to take 7^th place. Mike & Sally just managed to stay ahead of Dave & Ann in their class battle. Ken, Jeremy and Lottie all gained a place by passing Rick, Chris H and Ron respectively to finish 11^th, 13^th and 17^th.  Ron took the lanterne rouge again (he’s thinking of starting a business in Soho), but he had the last laugh on corrected time!

Final positions on the water were – 1^st Julian B; 2^nd Ralph; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Newton; 5^th Adrian; 6^th Steve S

On corrected time this changes to – 1^st Ralph; 2^nd Newton; 3^rd Ron; 4^th Mike C & Sally; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Mark

Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Dave I, Jon and Paul H

At last the waters had receded enough for the New Year Cup race to take place, unfortunately the wind had also receded!

With a light to non-exsistent NW wind James wisely set a short course of X, 4, A, B.

There were only five competitors and they were outnumbered by the OOD Team!

The race turned out to be a five lapper, just short of one-hour duration.

Newton & Sam in the RS200 led for the whole race and Chris H in his Comet was 2^nd for the whole of the race!

The most exciting battle was for 3^rd place between Monica in her Europe and Emily in a Radial. Monica led at the end of the first lap with Emily ahead for laps two, three and four, but Monica pipped her across the line at the end of the fifth lap.

Ron in his Mirror carried the lanterne rouge throughout the race and was finished one lap early at the end of his fourth lap.

The corrected times make quite a difference to the race result with the order changing to –

1^st Chris H; 2^nd Monica; 3^rd Emily; 4^th Ron; 5^th Newton & Sam.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Ann & Dave, Frantz, John S, Ian S and Paul W.

The New Year Cup Race is on and the start time is 11.00

Newton went to the club today and the lane is clear.

Mike C and Newton checked over the macerator and that is on and working so we are all good to go racing tomorrow.

James has volunteered to be SOOD, but we are very short of PBs and OODs. If any of you would be willing to volunteer that would be much appreciated.   

The tap water is not drinkable yet.

The quay is still underwater and other surfaces may be covered in a layer of mud and could be slippery.

The mince pies and mulled wine that were postponed from before Christmas are going to be available on Sunday 5th January.

Happy New Year

Unfortunately the club site is still flooded

The water level has dropped slightly, but not enough to enable the race to go ahead.

Apologies for the late notice, but we were hoping that it would be possible.  

FLOOD UPDATE

Newton went down on Sunday afternoon and the lane was 2.5 feet deep. (Mama said it’s 3 feet high and rising).

Newton checking the entrance lane

There is no chance of the race being able to take place on Boxing Day

Not surprisingly the bore hole has been flooded and the macerator pump has been turned off so don’t use the toilets.

Do not drink directly from the kitchen cold tap and make sure you boil any tap water for making coffee and tea.

Bottled water will available.for cold drinks(if the delivery boat gets through or perhaps the milk float will!)

Once the water has receded the bore hole will be cleaned and sterilized and everything should get back to normal.

It’s too late to ask Santa for a set of waders but enjoy your Christmas Day.

The lane is flooded to 1 foot in places and getting deeper. There is no chance of it dropping by Sunday so the race and the mince pies are now cancelled.
Sorry about this, but we hope you all have a good Christmas and hopefully the Boxing Day Cup Race will be on.

Another windy Sunday with a SW wind around 15 mph with the usual gusts. Newton set a long first beat to 3 then A (about where 2 should be, but 2 had drifted off!), 9, 5, 8, 6,7 and back through the start. It was good to see Hadey, Hugh and Will back out on the water.

There would have been 15 starters, but Julian B went out to the start, but the rudder stock on his D-Zero broke before the race started. The remaining 14 got away without further incident.

Simon B (Blaze) was first back across the line followed two minutes later by Karen sailing a Radial rig, but she was only just ahead of Jon in a (Laser). Ten seconds later a quartet of tightly bunched Lasers came through with Hugh leading Adrian, Mike T and Ken (using a Radial rig). Hadey (4.7) crossed in 8^th place with the first double -hander of Dave & Ann (Leader) about a minute further back in 9^th, but they were only four seconds in front of Dean & Nick (Vago). Rhys (4.7) was in 11^th place with Mike C & Sally (Leader) bearing down on him. Then there was a gap of 40 seconds before Will (Radial) and Jeremy (Laser) crossed the line.  

By the end of the second lap Mike T had moved up four places to 2^nd and Jon had passed Karen to move to 3^rd place.  Karen was down to 4^th and Hugh and Adrian down to 5^th and 6^th. Hadey gained a place to move to 7^th as Ken, who was just ahead of her, retired. Mike C & Sally made up two places to move to 9^th just behind Dave & Ann, so the battle of the leaders was now on. Will also gained two places by passing Rhys and Dean & Nick.

At the end of the third and last lap Simon crossed the line in first place nearly two minutes ahead of Jon, who had got past Mike to take 2^nd place.  The only other mover was Jeremy who gained a place when Rhys retired with a gear failure.

The final order on the water was – 1^st Simon; 2^nd Jon; 3^rd Mike T; 4^th Karen; 5^th Hugh; 6^th Adrian

On corrected time the order becomes –

1^st Karen; 2^nd Hadey; 3^rd Jon; 4^th Simon; 5^th Mike T; 6^th Hugh

Thanks to Newton and the OOD Team of Sam (the only one on the rota!) and special thanks to Ellen, Emily, Andrew & Thomas M and Roland L who stepped up to volunteer  and make the race possible.

Frost Bite 1 – 8^th December 2019

The first race of the Frostbite Series was very windy, as it had been the previous two years.

 With a WSW wind of about 18 mph and stronger gusts coming through, Peter R set the first beat to 4 then 9, 3, 8, 6, 7 and back through the start.

The race was a one lap affair with 10 starters and only five finishers with Simon B (Blaze), Rhys (4.7), Dean & Nick (Vago), Ralph (Laser) and Ron (Mirror) all retiring.     

The fleet became well spread out and Julian B (Devoti D-Zero) crossed the line in 1^st place about one minute ahead of Jon (Radial) in 2^nd place. Mike Tr (Laser)was in 3^rd place nearly six minutes further back and he was two minutes ahead of James (Laser), who in turn was two minutes ahead of Adrian (Laser).

The only change on corrected time was Jon leapfrogging Julian to take 1^st place.

Thanks to Peter R and the OOD Team of Ann & Dave L, Jewels, Marcin, Richard M and many other volunteers who pitched in to help out in he very windy conditions.

It was quite cold this morning with a N to NNE wind about 9 – 11 mph with stronger gusts coming through. Julian B used a Tektona start with a first beat down to A (near the buoy line between 5 and 6), then 5, 9, 3 and back through the start line.   

Pursuit Race

14 starters this morning and early starter Chris H (Comet) was first back through the line followed by Steve S (Solo) then Dave & Ann (Leader) just ahead of Ellen & Newton (RS200) with Mike A (Lightning) about a minute further back. Mike T and Karen (both Lasers) crossed the line abreast battling for 6^th place. Rhys (4.7) was next along with Pater Primrose (Laser) closing in on him, and they were about 20 seconds ahead of Rick (Laser). Sally & Mike in the second Leader were next along not far in front of Adrian (Vago s/h). Bringing up the rear was Ron, who missed his starting slot for the second week in a row! This is despite being the first boat out on the bank. Its obviously taking him too long to get his kit on, he’ll have to get a dresser or a valet! Julian W (Solo) came to grief early on and decided a wet wetsuit was not the thing to have on when a cold North wind was blowing, so headed to the bank for a hot cup of tea!

By the end of the second lap Newton & Ellen had come to the front with the 2^nd and 3^rd place boats keeping their positions, Karen moved up to 4^th and Chris slipped back to 6^th. James and Rick had caught and passed Rhys and Mike A to move up to 7^th and 8^th. Adrian had moved up two places by also passing Rhys and Sally & Mike C. 

At the gun the final order was – 1^st Ellen & Newton; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Steve S; 4^th Karen; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th James

Handicap Race

Having got warm and dry Julian decided to stay that way, but Mark and Ralph entered the fray to bring the starters up to 15. The course was changed to A, 5, 9, 4, 2, S.

Newton & Ellen were first back across the line followed by the Lasers of Karen, Mike T, Ralph, James and Mark. Dave & Ann came through in 7^th place nor far ahead of Rick and Mike C & Sally who crossed the line together. Steve S was only 10 seconds behind them, with Adrian only 10 seconds behind him and 30 seconds further back Chris H crossed the line just ahead of Rhys. Bringing up the rear again was Ron, who did not miss the start this time! Mike A retired after capsizing rounding A and finding that Julian was quite right about the temperature and the wind chill.

On the second lap there was no change at the front but Ralph moved up two places to 2^nd and James one place to 4^th. Steve S passed Mike C & Sally and Rick to move up to 8^th place. Mike C & Sally also got past Rick as did Adrian, so Rick slipped back to 11^th with Mike & Sally 9^th and Adrian 10^th. Behind them, there was no change in position with Chris, Rhys and Ron. 

At the end of the third lap, Newton & Ellen still led with Ralph 2^nd and Mike T 3^rd and James and Mark crossed the line together fighting for 4^th spot. Karen, who was lying 5^th retired, so Dave & Ann, Steve S, Mike & Sally and Adrian moved up to 6^th, 7^th, 8^th and 9th respectively. Chris H and Rhys also gained another place by passing Rick.   

On the fourth lap Ralph retired letting Mike T up to 2^nd place and Mark got the better of James to claim 3^rd place.  Everyone behind them gained a place due to Ralph’s retirement, but Adrian also retired from 9^th spot. Rhys passed Chris to move up to 8^th and Ron gained two places due to the retirements.

Chris H, Rick and Ron had all been lapped before they reached the line, so received the finish gun as they crossed.

At the end of the fifth and last lap there was a dramatic finish when Mike T pipped Newton & Ellen on the line to take 1^st place with Mark 3^rd, James 4^th and Dave & Ann 5^th. Steve S who was in 6^th place retired letting Mike C & Sally up to 6^th place with Rhys the only other finisher in 7^th place.

The final order on the water was –

1^st Mike T; 2^nd Newton & Ellen; 3^rd Mark; 4^th James; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Mike C & Sally; 7^th Rhys.

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Mike T; 2^nd Newton & Ellen; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Dave & Ann; 5^th James; 6^th Ron

Thanks to Julian B and the OOD Team of John S, Ken P, Nick J and Will S.

It was slightly misty this morning and at the start of the first race the promised wind of a 5 mph SSW had not arrived! Mike A set a box course with the first mark as A (in line with 5, but further to the middle of the lake than 8), then 5, 6, 7 and back through the start.

Pursuit Race

In spite of the lack of wind there were 8 starters, but some of them did not make the line to start at their allotted time (particularly Ron!) It was slow going and only three boats actually made the end of the first lap, although the wind did improve slightly during the race. At the gun the positions were –

1^st Mike T (Laser); 2^nd Chris H (Comet), who was nearly caught by 3^rd place James (Laser); 4^th Adrian (Vago s/h); 5^th Ron; 6^th Dave & Ann (Leader) who just got their nose in front of 7^th place  Rhys (4.7); 8^th Rick (Laser).  

Handicap Race

Encouraged by the slight increase in wind everyone started the second race and James was first back across the line not far ahead of Mike. Dave & Ann came through in 3^rd place  about a minute ahead of Chris H in 4^th, who in turn was a minute ahead of Adrian in 5^th. Then another minute elapsed before Ron crossed the line in 6^th place with quite a gap back to Rhys and Rick.

On the second lap James managed to draw away slightly from Mike who was caught by Chris at the penultimate mark and Chris managed to keep the 2^nd place to the line. Adrian passed Dave & Ann to take 4^th across the line and Ron crossed a minute later in 6^th place. Rhys decided to retire, but Rick kept going and earned himself a 7^th place finish.

The order on the water was – 1^st James; 2^nd Chris; 3^rd Mike; 4^th Adrian; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Ron; 7^th Rick.

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Ron; 2^nd Chris; 3^rd James; 4^th Mike; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Adrian; 7^th Rick.

Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Bill J, Colin H, Gareth E, Jewels and Julian W.