Author: jollysailor

A lovely force two wind for the next two rounds of the Summer Series on Sunday. An unusual direction of a South East led resulted in a lovely reach across the lake for part of the course. The wind kept shifting and there were several lulls which caught several sailors out.

The pursuit race was started by the Comets of Aileen and Chris H, before the rest of the fleet set off in pursuit. Hugh (ILCA7) & Mike (470) caught up with the rest of the fleet, having set off later, but couldn’t get past. Aileen got ahead of Chris H and held onto the lead for the rest of the race, holding off Newton (Solo) behind her. Elsewhere, Chris K (ILCA 6), Roland S (Solo) and Rhys P (ILCA 6) were having a close battle, before Rhys snapped his mast, forcing a retirement.

Aileen finished 1st, with Newton 2nd and Chris H 3rd.

The Handicap Race had a hectic start, with a wind shift causing a heavy starboard bias. Chris K was forced out to avoid hitting the committee boat, Aileen tried to sneak in but hit Newton and had to complete turns.

Roland S, Mike and Hugh emerged the clear winners at the start, the three of them being first to the windward mark. Hugh managed to pull clear after the first lap and took advantage of the battle between Roland & Mike to increase his lead.

Newton meanwhile had recovered from his bad start and caught up with Roland & Mike, passing Roland on the 3rd lap.

Hugh crossed the line first, with Mike 2nd and Newton 3rd.

On Handicap, Hugh finished first, beating Chris H into 2nd by just one second. Newton was 3rd. There was just over a minute separating the top 6 boats in what was an incredibly close race.

A big thank you to James and his team for organizing the races.

After the race, there were Bacon Rolls, made by Ann

We’re back on Wednesday for the next rounds of the Junior Gillette and the Gillette Series

Some very light winds for the Junior Gillette on Wednesday.

8 boats made it out to the course, with all the sailors fighting for position on the start line. The wind dropped just before the start, with Milo (Optimist) first to the windward mark, this was followed by Ilya (Topper 4.2) and Misha (Optimist). By the end of the first lap, Fergus (Optimist) had overtaken Misha for 3rd place. Molly (Topper 4.2) surged through the fleet, overtaking several boats to make her way up to 3rd. By the final lap, Milo crossed the line first, with Fergus 2nd and Molly 3rd. On Handicap, the results remain the same.

A big thank you to Karen and her team for organising the racing on Wednesday.

The wind picked up slightly for the start of the Gillette, with 26 boats lining up for the start. A clear starboard end bias, but many chose to start away from there to avoid the crowds. Will S (ILCA4) was over at the start. Upon returning he collided with another boat, having to complete turns before setting off. Steve S (Blaze) was first to the windward mark, followed Mike & Alé (470) & Hugh ILCA7. Elsewhere in the race, Emily had passed Rhys (Both ILCA6) and was catching up with Mark B (Aero7). Rhys, Roland S (Solo) & James P (ILCA7) we’re having a close battle further back. The wind all but died after lap two, with several boats retiring and the last finisher crossing the line at over 1hr 20. Steve S crossed the line 1st, with Mike & Alé 2nd and Newton (Solo) 3rd. On Handicap, Newton finished 1st, with Steve S 2nd and Mike & Alé 3rd.

A big thank you to Jess and her team for organising the racing on Wednesday.

After the race, there was Chilli & Jacket Potatoes, followed by Ice Cream, made by Sally.

We’re back on Sunday for the next rounds of the Summer Series.

Another great practice session on Sunday, with 15 boats on the water. It was great to see so many people from the training courses sharpening their skills on the water.

A big thank you to Aileen and the rest of the volunteers that made the afternoon possible.

A very light wind for the July Cup yesterday. 15 boats made it out for a lovely one race drift.

Most sailors started at the pin end due to the port bias The ILCAS of Emily & Jess, and Darren in the Solo got great starts on starboard. Emily was first around the first mark but then started sailing the wrong course, losing out on several boats lengths. The 470 of Mike and Alé made it into the lead and maintained this for the race of the race.

Close behind was Emily who made gains on the beats of each lap, before being overtaken by Darren on the run. Elsewhere, Aileen (Comet) had made it past Richard S (ICLA6) but was unable to catch Chris H (Comet) in 4th.

At the end of the race, Mike and Alé finished first, with Darren 2nd and Emily 3rd.

On Handicap, Darren won the July Cup, with Emily 2nd & Chris H 3rd.

A big thank you to Chris K and his team for organizing the racing yesterday.

After the race, there was Quiche & Salad, made by Ann.

We’re back on Wednesday for the next rounds of the Gillette & Gillette Junior races.

Light winds gripped the lake for the first round of the Gillette Junior race. 6 juniors made it out for a short 3 lap race.

Ilya (Topper 4.2) had a great start and led for much of the race, before stalling. This allowed Molly (Topper 4.2) to pass into the lead.

Elsewhere, Fergus (Optimist) led the oppie fleet.

Molly was first across the line, followed by Ilya & and Fergus. On Handicap, Fergus took the win, with Molly 2nd & Ilya 3rd.

A big thank you to Karen & Will S for running the race for the juniors.

The main Gillette race was next, with several juniors opting to race again with the adults. 15 sailors were met with a light breeze from the west.

A wind shift just before the start led to a very biased line, with the best position to start at the pin end. Will S (ILCA4) had a great start before stalling on the downwind leg. Steve S (Blaze) and Hugh (ILCA7) meanwhile were forced out by Aileen (Comet) who had to do penalty turns due to her infringement. This allowed Roland S (Solo) and Mark B (Aero) to get past.

Elsewhere in the race, Will S was passed by Joel (ILCA6) & Aileen.

The wind died almost completely, resulting in just a 2 lap race. Steve S crossed the line 1st, with Roland 2nd. Mark finished 3rd.

On Handicap, Roland finished 1st, with Steve S 2nd and Mark 3rd.

There were several retirements as the wind completely dropped, but Tim (ILCA7) persevered, finishing at just over the hour mark.

A big thank you to Chris H and his team for running the racing yesterday.

After the race, there were chicken enchiladas, followed by cheesecake, made by Chris & Carol.

We’re back on Sunday for the July Cup.

Two youth teams entered the Thames Valley Challenge on Saturday, a beginner event organised by local clubs to promote team racing and give young sailors their first experience of sailing events in a friendly environment. Team racing isn’t just about sailing fast, boats have to work together to make sure that they cross the line ahead of the other team. Our teams had been practicing their skills in Feva’s during their Monday Evening Training Sessions.

Maidenhead Lake was the venue for this event, a small bit of water, with a tendency for wind shifts. This proved to be the case during the whole event, our teams struggled with the wind shifts during the morning, but showed incredible perseverance and put down some great results during the afternoon.

Reading Port, Helmed by Eliza & Emily, with crews of Alex & Molly. Whilst Reading Starboard was Helmed by Phoebe & Archie, with crews of Fergus & Ilya.

The first race of the day saw both teams head to head against each other, with Reading Starboard the overall victors.

A mixed set of results throughout the day, with some great 1/2 finishes from both teams.

Reading Port finished 9th overall, with Reading Starboard just behind in 10th, out of 16 teams.

This is a great first event for these competitors and provides a stepping stone up to other events. Reading sailors that have previously sailed in this event have gone on to race across the country in University Team Racing.

Congratulations to the competitors on their hard earned result in the challenging conditions. Thank you to all the supporters who turned up on the day & for Karen and Hugh for managing both teams.

A big thank you to Claire’s Court School & Maidenhead Sailing Club for hosting this great event.

A light force 2 wind greeted sailors for Sunday’s rounds of the Summer Series. 14 racers made it out for the pursuit race. In addition to this, there were several sailors out for a practice, after completing their courses over the last few weeks.

Ron (Mirror) was first to set off, with the rest of the fleet close behind. The wind eased off slightly, with several boats caught out. Newton (Solo) eased ahead of the rest of the fleet. Further back, there was a close battle between Chris H (Comet), and the Solo’s of Ralph & Roland. Will S & Hugh (RS200) & Steve S (Blaze) were last to see off. Steve got caught in a lull but Hugh & Will hit a gust and made their way through the fleet.

At the end of the race, Newton finished 1st, with Roland S 2nd & Chris H 3rd.

The wind picked up for the Handicap race, with a hectic start line.

Steve S & Will & Hugh broke off from the rest of the fleet, with the Solo’s not far behind.

Steve extended his lead from Will & Hugh, whilst Newton had a great lift and broke free of the battle between the Solo’s of Roland & Ralph & ILCA7 of Mike T. Chris H meanwhile was keeping up with the rest of the ILCA6’S.

Steve S crossed the line first, with Will & Hugh 2nd and Newton 3rd.

On Handicap, Steve retained his first place, with Chris H 2nd and Newton 3rd.

A big thank you to Rick and his team for stepping up at the last minute to run the racing yesterday.

After the race, there were bacon rolls, made by Ann.

We’re back on Wednesday for the next round of the Gillette, it’s also the 1st round of the Junior Gillette Series.

A lovely force 3 from the west for the first race of the Gillette series.

Last night’s race was full of action as 11 boats took to the water. There was plenty of action at the start as Emily arrived late, crossing the line several minutes after the gun went. Most boats got away well, with Steve S in his Blaze making light work of the first beat, earning an early lead. Hugh (ILCA7) was second around the windward mark, followed by Richard & Sally (2000).

After the first lap, there was confusion amongst some of the boats whether the start line was included in the course (it wasn’t) but nevertheless, 3 boats lost out on several boat lengths as the turned around to head back through the line.

Elsewhere, Richard & Sally & Mark (Aero7) had a close battle, before Mark managed to pull away on the 3rd lap. The ILCA6 of Joel was reeling in the 2000, but Richard managed to stay ahead by the final gun.

Steve S crossed the line 1st, with Hugh 2nd and Mark 3rd. On Handicap, Hugh took the win, with Steve S 2nd and Joel (ILCA6) 3rd, beating Richard and Sally into 4th by just one second.

Capsizes from Richard W, and 2 from Steve P.

A big thank you to James for organising the racing yesterday.

After the race, there was Sticky Honey and Garlic Chicken, with New Potatoes and Salad, made by James.

This was followed by homemade scones, made by Suzi.

We’re back on Sunday for the next rounds of the Summer Series

Congratulations to the latest group of trainees who passed their RYA Level 1 & 2 courses at the weekend. We look forward to seeing you all at the club to practice what you have learnt.

A big thank you to all the instructors and volunteers who gave up their time to run the course.

There are still spaces on our courses later in the year, why not book onto one by contacting training@readingsc.org.uk

A very light force one for the latest rounds of the summer series. 11 boats took to the water, despite the light conditions.

The Comets of Aileen and Chris H were first to set off, followed by the rest of the fleet. Aileen broke away from Chris, and stayed in front for the rest of the race.

Hugh was second to the windward buoy, followed by Rhys. Further back, both Newton and Chris H hit areas of no wind, dropping back down the fleet. By the end of the race, Aileen held on to her lead to take first. Rhys and Hugh had a close race, with Rhys edging ahead to take second. Hugh was 3rd. Just behind was a close finish between Mike & Alé & Chris H, with Chris finishing ahead.

The wind picked up slightly for the start of the Handicap race. With Hugh 1st around the windward mark. Newton managed to get past on the downwind leg and stayed ahead for the rest of the race. Further back, Rhys, Aileen, Chris, & Mike & Alé were all locked in a tight battle. Newton finished first on the water, with Hugh second & Rhys 3rd. On Handicap, Newton held onto 1st, with Aileen 2nd and Rhys 3rd.

A big thank you to Steve S for running the racing on Sunday.

After the race, there were bacon rolls, made by Ann.

We’re back on Wednesday for the first rounds of the Gillette & the Junior Gillette.