Author: jollysailor

Help needed for this Saturday’s Work Party as we plan to work on filling in the potholes in the road.

The forecast was for a fairly light wind, about 8 mph, from the SE (at least the last time I looked) Peter S was on SOOD duty but did not record the actual wind or the course on the race sheet, but I guess we can let him off that, as he has more important priorities as a new Dad!

Pursuit Race
There were 18 starters and at the end of the lap Chris H (Comet) and Karen (Radial) crossed the line together with Nev & Mike (Leader) next through in 3rd place with Newton & Ellen (RS200) 4th and another Leader in the hands of Sally & Mike C 5th with Richard S (Laser) 6th.
At the gun Karen had got away from Chris and the final positions were –
1st Karen; 2nd Newton & Ellen; 3rd Richard S; 4th Nev & Mike; 5th Chris H; 6th Mike Tr

Handicap Race
First back through the line was Simon (Blaze) followed by Ken (Laser) who obviously has not lost his touch despite not having raced recently. Ellen & Newton (RS200) came through in 3rd place not far ahead of the Lasers of Mike Tr, Richard S, Jon, Rick and Mark with Karen (Radial) in 9th and not far behind them. There was a small gap back to Chris H (Comet) and James (Laser) and then the Lasers of Ralph and John W crossed the line together just ahead of Adrian (s/h Vago). Behind them Nev & Mike (Leader), Frantz (Laser), Jeremy (Laser) and Sally & Mike C (Wanderer) were having a close battle of their own.

On the second lap Ellen & Newton moved up to 2nd place and Mike Tr up to 3rd. Ralph gained five places to move up to 7th but there were no other changes in the order.

No change in the leader on the third lap, but Mike Tr had passed Ellen & Newton to move up to 2nd place and Richard S and Jon were up one place to 4th and 5th respectively. Further back James gained a place and Frantz gained four places and Sally & Mike C relinquished the lanterne rouge by passing Jeremy.

At the end of the fourth and last lap, Simon who had led from start to finish crossed the line well ahead of Ellen & Newton who had regained 2nd spot and behind them Richard S had passed Mike Tr to take 3rd place. Further back Mark and Ralph could not be split as they contested 7th place. Rick regained a place and Nev & Mike moved up four places and Adrian also regained a place.
The final order was –
1st Simon; 2nd Ellen & Newton; 3rd Richard S; 4th Mike Tr; 5th Jon; 6th Ken

On corrected time Simon was not quite far enough in front to retain his 1st place and Ellen & Newton pushed him down to 2nd. Mike, Richard and Jon keep their positions, but Ken loses his 6th place to Karen.

Thanks to Peter S and the OOD team of Issy and Ron (and may also have included Al, Paul W and Marcin).

With only one more race left in the series, it looks as if Karen should take the Pursuit Series as she holds a 3 point advantage over Chris H in 2nd place. Ellen & Newton are in pole position in the Handicap Series with a 6 point advantage over Mike Tr,

With a light wind about 11 mph from the ENE, Peter R opted for a Tektona start with a first beat to 6 then 9, 7, 2, 3 and back through the start.

Pursuit Race
There were 19 starters and early starter Ron in his Mirror was still leading at the end of the first lap with Nev and Chris H in Comets coming though in 2nd and 3rd places. Chris A (in the only Solo out today) was 4th with Dave & Ann (Leader) 5th and Jon in the first of the Lasers was 6th. There was not time for a complete second lap and at the gun the final positions were –
1st Karen (Radial); 2nd Ron (Mirror); 3rd Simon (Blaze); 4th Will (Radial); 5th Jon (Laser); 6th Mike Tr (Laser)

Handicap Race
Olivia who sailed her Topper in the first race decide to sit this one out so the fleet was down by one. Peter R adjusted the course slightly using 6, 8, 7, 2 and back through the start.

First boat back through the line was Simon (Blaze) already two minutes ahead of Ellen & Newton (RS200) who in turn were about 30 seconds ahead of Karen (Radial) in 3rd place.
Then came a close group of Lasers, Jon, Mike Tr, James and Ralph who were nor far ahead of Will (Radial). A motley trio were having a good battle for 9th place with Chris A (Solo) just leading Dave & Ann (Leader) and Dean & Nick (Vago). About 30 second further back there was another close battle between Chris H (Comet), Adrian (s/h Vago), Nev (Comet) and Mike C (Wanderer), then bringing up the rear of the fleet were Ron (Mirror), Alistair S (Laser) and Rhys (Topper).

By the end of the second lap Simon had doubled his lead over Ellen & Newton and Jon had passed Karen to move up to 3rd. Mike Tr, James and Ralph were still in line in 6th to 7th, but Dave & Ann and Dean & Nick had moved up two places to 8th and 9th positions. Further back Nev and Mike C were both up three places to 11th and 12th and Alistair had caught and passed Ron.
Ron and Rhys received the gun at then end of this lap.

The third lap was the last and Simon crossed the line over 6 minutes ahead of Ellen & Newton in 2nd place. Mike Tr gained two places to finish 3rd and Ralph snatched 6th place from James. The double handers Dave & Ann and Dean & Nick maintained their positions and Will had regained three places to 10th. Chris H and Adrian improved by one place and the final order on the water was –
1st Simon; 2nd Ellen & Newton; 3rd Mike Tr; 4th Jon; 5th Karen; 6th Ralph.

On corrected time Simon retains 1st place with Karen moving up to 2nd, Mike Tr still 3rd and Ellen & Newton equal 4th with Jon and Ralph 6th.

Thanks to Peter R and the OOD team of Bill C, Gordon P, John H and Pat G.

It was a very significant day being 100 years on from the end of the First World War and time to reflect on the terrible loss of life, not only in that conflict, but in all other conflicts since.

There was strong blustery SW wind, varying from 15 to 24 mph and James set the first beat to X then 1, 5, 9, 6, 7 and back through the start. There were 17 starters, which was good, considering the tricky conditions. Most of the Laser sailors opted for a Radial rig apart from Adrian and Frantz. You know it’s windy when Adrian drops from his Rooster rig to a full rig and Frantz just goes for it!

First back through the line and well ahead was Simon in his Blaze followed by Jon (Radial), who was some 20 seconds ahead of Karen and Steve S (also Radials), who crossed the line virtually together.
About a minute later Mark (Radial) came through in 5th place just ahead of Jess and Ralph in Radials and Adrian in his full rig Laser. They were followed by Frantz in another full rig Laser who was having a good battle with Alistair S, Gareth and Will (all in Radials). Then behind them was a motley collection of craft, which was quite refreshing after the Radial parade and leading this band was Chris H (Comet), not far ahead of Mike C & Sally in Mike’s Wanderer, Paul H in his Supernova and further back brave Olivia in her Topper. Dean & Nick (Vago) retired before the end of the lap.

Lap 2 and Simon had increased his lead and Karen and Steve had got past Jon to move up to 2nd and 3rd places. Jess had passed Mark to move up to 5th and Adrian was up to 6th with Mark down to 7th. Further back Will had moved up two places by passing Alistair and Gareth and Paul H had gained three places getting past Gareth, Chris and Mike C & Sally.

At the end of the third lap there was no change in the first four, but Mark had regained his 5th place and Ralph gained two places to move up to 6th. Alistair moved up three places to 8th by passing Jess, Frantz and Will. There were no other changes in order and Olivia received the gun at the end of the lap.

On the fourth lap Jon managed to catch and pass Karen and Steve to move up to 2nd place. Adrian passed Ralph to take 6th spot and further back Gareth regained two places by passing Paul H and Will. At the end of the lap Alistair, Jess, Frantz, Gareth, Will, Paul H, Chris H and Mike C & Sally crossed the line in that order and received the finish gun.

One more lap for the leaders and Simon had a massive lead of 8 minutes. Jon had managed to draw away slightly to cross the line in 2nd place and Karen just managed to beat Steve to 3rd place by tacking directly round 7 to finish, whereas Steve went straight on! There were no other changes in order.

The final positions on the water were –
1st Simon; 2nd Jon; 3rd Karen; 4th Steve S; 5th Mark; 6th Adrian

On time corrected for handicap the only change was Ralph (Radial) just beating Adrian (Laser) for 6th place.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Bea, George V, Gordon P, Rhys, Rich F and Richard M.

Not a bad morning with a light wind coming from around SSE, which was a difficult direction for Peter R to set a decent start line. He set the first beat to 8 then 5, 2, 4, 6, and back through the start.

Pursuit Race
16 starters and first back through the line was early starter Rhys (Topper) with Karen (Radial) in 2nd place, Chris (Comet) 3rd, Dave & Ann (Leader) 4th, Newton & Ellen (RS200) 5th and Mike Tr (Laser) 6th.
By the end of the second lap Karen had taken the lead and Dave & Ann had got past Rhys and Chris to move up to 2nd place. Newton & Ellen had also got past Rhys, but he was still ahead of Mike Tr.

At the gun the final order was –
1st Karen; 2nd Dave & Ann; 3rd Chris; 4th Newton & Ellen; 5th Rhys; 6th Mike Tr

Handicap Race
Peter changed the course slightly for the second race using X (don’t ask where!) as the first mark followed by 5, 9, 6 and back through the start.
First back through the line was Ellen & Newton (RS200) followed very closely by Dave & Ann (Leader) and Karen (Radial) then the Lasers of Jon, Mike Tr and James. It was virtually impossible to split the next group of boats consisting of Bill (K1), Richard S (Laser), Adrian (Vago s/h), Dean & Nick (Vago), Rick (Laser) and Chris H (Comet). Then there was a slight gap back to Will (Radial) and Mike C (Wanderer) and then another gap back to Gareth (Laser) and Rhys (Topper). The whole fleet was packed closely together, and it was a good day to not be on the race team and have the problem of sorting out times and positions across the line!

On the second lap James had taken the lead from Ellen & Newton and Karen and Bill crossed the line together in joint 3rd place. Mike Tr was now 5th just ahead of Dave & Ann. Jon had decided there was not enough wind for him and retired. The group behind was still closely packed, but Chris had established himself in 7th place just ahead of Richard S and Rick. Will had moved up three places into 10th spot with the Vagos of Adrian and Nick & Dean down to 11th and 12th with Mike C only one second back in 13th place and behind him Gareth had managed to pass Rhys.

At the end of the last lap Ellen & Newton had regained the lead with Mike Tr taking 2nd place and Karen and Bill again crossing the line together battling for 3rd place. James and Dave & Ann also crossed the line together in joint 5th place. Behind this leading group there was no actual change in the order of the rest of the fleet.

The final positions on the water were –
1st Ellen & Newton; 2nd Mike Tr; Joint 3rd Karen and Bill; Joint 5th Dave & Ann and James.

On handicap the winner was Chris H moving up from 7th on the water to take 1st place on corrected time. Karen was 2nd with Dave & Ann 3rd and Ellen & Newton down to 4th place with Mike Tr 5th and James 6th.

Thanks to Peter R and the OOD Team of Colin H, Gary B, Pat G, Paul W and Robbie H.

It was quite blustery this morning with a NW wind of 15 – 20 mph. James set a first beat to X, then 5, 8, 4, 3, 2 and back through the start.

Pursuit
There were 13 starters and it was certainly unlucky for some of them as a number went over in the blustery conditions. At the end of the first lap early starter Dave P (Mirror) was still leading followed by the other early starters of Rhys (Topper) and Chris H (Comet), however by the time the finish gun went the maelstrom maestro JC (Laser) had come through to take the victory. Marczin retired, but everyone else managed to last the distance (well the time actually!)
The final order was –
1st Jon C; 2nd Dave & Ann: 3rd Mike Tr; 4th Newton & Ellen; 5th Chris H; 6th Rhys

Handicap
Down to 12 for the second race and Dave P (Mirror) and Olivia (Topper) both retired on the first lap.
First back through the line were Ellen & Newton (RS200) just in front of Jon (Laser) and these were some 30 seconds ahead of Dave & Ann (Leader) in 3rd place. Gareth (Laser) and Mike Tr (Laser) were battling for 4th spot and they crossed right behind Dave & Ann. About 30 seconds later Dean & Nick (Vago) came through in 6th place about one minute ahead of Chris H (Comet) and Adrian (Vago s/h) with Mike C (Wanderer) some way behind them. Finally battling bravely on came Rhys in his Topper in 10th place.

By the end of the second lap Jon had taken 1st place and Gareth and Mike Tr had passed Dave & Ann to move up to 3rd and 4th. There were no further changes in order, but Rhys received the gun at the end of the lap.

At the end of the third and last lap Jon had increased his lead, crossing the line a minute ahead of Ellen & Newton. Gareth was still 3rd, but Mike Tr must have had an incident as both Dave & Ann and Dean & Nick had got past him. Chris was still ploughing along in 7th followed at intervals by Adrian and Mike C .

Final positions on the water were –
1st Jon; 2nd Ellen & Newton; 3rd Gareth; 4th Dave & Ann; 5th Dean & Nick; 6th Mike Tr

On handicap the first two retain their positions, but Dave & Ann move up to 3rd and Chris H up to 4th pushing Gareth down to 4th and Dean & Nick down to 6th.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Bea, Ralph and Rick.

It was quite pleasant this morning with a light 5-6 mph WSW wind. Richard S set a first beat down to 3, then 2, 4, 8, 5,6, 7 and back through the start.

Pursuit
There were 24 starters, the highest turn out so far in the Cobley series. With a fairly long course the race was virtually a one lap affair and at the gun Chris H took the victory.
The finishing order was –
1st Chris H -Comet; 2nd Newton & Ellen -RS200; 3rd Mike Tr – Laser; 4th Dave P – National 12; 5th Ralph – Laser; 6th Nev – Comet

Handicap
Everyone started the second race although Phoebe in her Oppie retired before the end of the first lap.
First back through the line were Ellen & Newton followed by the three Lasers of James, Hugh, and Ralph. This group were about 30 seconds ahead of Dave P (National 12) who in turn was about 30 seconds ahead of Chris H (Comet). Then there was a slight gap back to another three Lasers, Mike Tr, Curtis and Alistair S who were having a good battle. Next through were Dave & Ann (Leader) in close company with Will (Radial) and these were followed by Rick and Mike A (Lasers) who were enjoying their own tussle. Mike T (Laser) was next across the line just ahead of Mike C (Wanderer) and they were followed by Nev (Comet) and Frantz (Laser). Then along came Adrian (Vago s/h) who was about one minute ahead of Sam (Laser) who was a further minute ahead of Cecilia (Radial) and finally were the three Toppers of Rhys, Emily and Olivia.

With the lightish wind there was only time for a further lap and Ellen & Newton received the gun as they crossed the line in 1st place. Hugh and Ralph had moved up to 2nd and 3rd by passing James and Mike Tr had got past Chris to move up to 6th. Mike A moved up four places to 9th, although he was lucky to spot a wind shift and passed Rick, Will, Alistair and Dave & Ann in sight of the line! Mike C gained a place by passing Mike T and Adrian got past Nev. The fleet behind them all gained a place when Frantz retired.

The final order on the water was –
1st Ellen & Newton; 2nd Hugh; 3rd Ralph; 4th James; 5th Dave P; 6th Mike Tr

On handicap the first three retain their positions, but Dave P moves up to 4th and Chris H to 5th pushing James down to 6th.

Thanks to Richards S and the OOD Team of Johns Harrison and Hayes, Marg N and Mark D.

This was virtually a re-run of 23rd September with heavy rain and a light wind with the same result, there were only five starters. Adrian used a short course for the first race of X, 9, 6, 8.7 and back through the start.

Pursuit
Ron led for three laps in his Mirror then was overtaken by Chris H (Comet), but then they both retired leaving Mike Tr to take the victory with James 2nd and Rick 3rd.

Handicap
Adrian tweeked the course using 6, 9, 5, 7, 8, St.
In the handicap race the order remained exactly the same for all four laps and the final positions were 1st Mike Tr; 2nd James 3rd Rick; 4th Chris H. Ron retired on the first lap.

On handicap Mike Tr keeps his first place, but Chris H moves up to 2nd place pushing James and Rick down one place

Thanks to Adrian and the OOD Team of Jerry, Pat G and Will.

James was SOOD this morning and boosted his OOD Team with son Rhys and daughter Bea.

Pursuit
There were 15 starters and a fairly light West wind favoured the early starters and in fact the first boats through the line were still in the same positions at the 35 minute gun. The final positions were –
1st Chris H – Comet; 2nd Karen – Radial; 3rd Chris A – Solo; 4th Sally – Comet; 5th Newton & Ellen – RS200; 6th Richards S – Laser

Handicap
Olivia who had finished a creditable 12th in the first race decided not to participate in the handicap race, but she was the only non-starter.
Mike Tr (Laser) was first back through the line some 30 seconds ahead of Bill (K1), who was nearly a minute ahead of Ellen & Newton (RS200), then after another minute Rick (Laser) crossed in 4th place.
The next four boats were very close together with Richard S (Laser) just ahead of Chris H (Comet), Mark (Laser) and Karen (Radial). Alistair S (Laser) and Sally (Comet) crossed the line together, not far ahead of Adrian (Vago s/h) and Frantz (Laser), followed 10 seconds later by Paul H Supernova) and Mike C (Wanderer).

At the end of the second lap Mike Tr led, but Ellen & Newton had moved up to 2nd place by passing Bill. Rick was still 4th but Mark had got past Chris and Richard to move up to 5th. Further back Adrian had gained two places and Frantz and Mike C both gained one place.

On the third lap the two leaders had not changed, but Richard S had gained three places to move up to 3rd with Mark up to 4th. Chris H moved up one place to 6th. Alistair gained two places to 8th and Mike C gained four places to 9th. Bill retired on this lap and Alistair, Mike C, Frantz, Adrian and Sally were given the finish gun.

On the last lap Ellen & Newton regained 1st place from Mike Tr, but the only change behind them was Karen getting past Chris H.
The final order on the water was –
1st Ellen & Newton; 2nd Mike Tr, 3rd Richards S; 4th Mark; 5th Rick; 6th Karen.

On handicap the first three retain their positions, but Mike C moves up to 4th with Mark 5th and Chris H up to 6th.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Bea, Bob H, Chris B, Gareth, Jess B and Rhys.

This morning was cloudy with sunny spells and a WNW wind varying from 5 to 10 mph. Peter S used a Tektona start with the first mark as X (towards 2) then 3, 2, 5, 9, 6 and back through the start.

Pursuit
At the end of the first lap the early starters were still ahead with Chris H and Nev in Comets leading followed by Mike C (Wanderer), Bea (Oppie) and Chris A (Solo). Karen (Radial) came through next followed by the Laser pack.
At the gun no-one had managed to get past the Comets, but the Lasers were up amongst the rest of the fleet. The final positions were –
1st Chris H – Comet; 2nd Nev – Comet; 3rd Mike Tr – Laser; 4th James – Laser; 5th Karen – Radial; 6th Richard S – Laser.

Handicap
Dean & Nick decided not to contest the second race which left 17 starters. The wind had increased slightly and changed direction, so Peter changed the start line and the position of X (up near the buoy line between 4 and 5) but kept the rest of the course unchanged.

It was one of those mornings where all the boats maintained their position for most of the race. At the end of the first lap the first four boats were Lasers led by James then Mike Tr, Richard S and Mark B with small gaps between all of them. Karen (Radial) came though in 5th place then Mike A (Laser), Jess B (Radial) and Rhys (Laser) were very close together with Dave P (National 12) not far behind them. The next four boats Mike C (Wanderer), Nev (Comet) Chris H (Comet)and Adrian (Vago s/h) were evenly spaced. There was a long gap back to the next boat, which was Sam (Laser) and she was about one minute ahead of Chris A (Solo) and then there was another five minutes before Emily (Topper) and Bea (Oppie) came along. Bea received the finish gun at the end of her first lap.

On the second lap James increased his lead slightly at the front but there was no change in position for the following seven boats. Dave P and Mike C crossed the line together battling for 9th place, but behind them the only change was Chris A catching and passing Sam. Emily received the gun at the end of this lap.

At the end of the third and last lap the order remained the same for the first 10 boats, Dave P just nudging ahead of Mike C to take 9th spot. Further back Chris H and Adrian just got past Nev to each gain a place. It was remarkable that although there were some good battles through the fleet, the actual order hardly changed.

The final order on the water was –
1st James; 2nd Mike Tr; 3rd Richard S; 4th Mark; 5th Karen; 6th Mike A

On handicap James keeps his 1st place, but Karen moves up from 5th to 2nd. Mike C should take 3rd place with Mike Tr dropping to 4th, Chris H up to 5th and Richards S down to 6th.

Thanks to Peter S and the OOD Team of Carlo, Ferdinando, Mike T and Paul W.