Author: jollysailor

1st July Gillette Series 13 2015

It was a very similar evening to last Wednesday, although a little warmer with the afternoon temperature reaching about 37° C ! , The wind was a 10 mph SW and Dave L set a beat to 4, then basically zig-zagged back up the lake via 2, 5, 8, 6 and 7 and back through the start.
There were 18 starters, although this may have been 20 as Hugh (Leader) and Tod (Pico) signed on, but then dropped off the radar as they were not listed on the race sheet at all.
Before the start Rick was rigging his new Laser with some tips from Jon, but he decided to tour round and watch rather than race.
The familiar figure first back through the start line was Ian C (Supernova) chased as often by Karen and Jon in Lasers.  Jon was sporting what looked like a brand new sail and he had not even had time to put his numbers up. Mark B (Laser) was next through in 4th place with Newton (Solo) 5th, Curtis (Laser) 6th and Jeremy T (Aero) 7th (this was Jeremy’s first race in his new Aero).  Ellen in the only Radial out tonight came past in 8th closely pursued by Chris A (Solo) and Sally & Stuart (Leader). Not far behind them was Paul H (Supernova) who was a little way ahead of Amy (Europe), Mike T (Laser) and the second Leader of Rob, Craig & Colum (in any order you like as it was not clear who was helming and who was crewing, they looked very relaxed any way). Finally bringing up the rear were Mike A (Lightning), Mike C (Solo), Tracey (Comet) and Chris S (Laser).
Ian was still leading at the end of the second lap and every subsequent lap until the finish, so we can forget about him until the end. Mark had moved up to 2nd, a position which he held until the end, so we can forget about him as well. Jon was now 3rd with Curtis 4th, Karen 5th and Newton 6th. Jeremy had decided to retire which moved everyone up a place, so Ellen was now 7th and Chris A 8th, but most boats basically maintained position. The highest movers were Mike A up five places to 9th and Mike C up four places to 12th. Chris S also retired and the race sheet recorded somewhat cryptically against his name “wrong side”
Not sure what this refers to, Chris definitely does not look like an alien (well not much) so he presumably went round a mark or several marks on the wrong side or perhaps he just got on the wrong side of the OOD team.
Lap 3 and Jon had relinquished his 3rd spot by retiring or perhaps he retired because he had lost 3rd place, but probably because he did not want to overstretch his smart new sail.  This moved Karen up to 3rd in front of Curtis. Ellen and Chris A were still very close together and Sally & Stuart were having a real battle with Mike A, Mike C and Paul H in mid fleet (well the back of mid fleet !) Amy also retired from the fray.
On Lap 4 Curtis retired – it must be the effects of the heat, they’re dropping like flies !
This moved Newton up to 4th and everyone behind him up one place. The only real change in position was Mike C getting past Mike A.  It also appeared that the “three men in a boat” had got too relaxed and there were several entries of “wrong side” against their names and finally a “DSQ” ! Not sure what they had been getting the wrong side of, but eventually they did get the wrong side of the OOD !  It so happened that as Sally & Stuart and Mike C crossed the line at the end of this lap Ian was coming in to finish his fifth and final lap and received the customary “double toot” Sally and Mike C assumed incorrectly that they were being finished and started to veer off course and they only realised their error when Mike A who crossed the line just behind them did not receive a finish gun.
Ironically Tracey who was a little further back was finished at the end of the fourth lap.
At the end of the fifth lap the leading four boats were still the same but Chris A had nipped past Ellen to finish 5th. Mike A by courtesy of Sally & Stuart and Mike C crossed the line in 7th, although Sally did catch and pass him only to let him through on the very last mark before the finish.
The final positions on the water were 1st Ian; 2nd Mark; 3rd Karen; 4th Newton; 5th Chris A; 6th Ellen.
On handicap it is likely that Newton will squeeze into 2nd ahead of Mark and Karen.
 
Thanks to Dave L and the OOD Team (sorry – no names on the race sheet)

BBQ Series Race 3 – Round the World

 
 
 
 

 
Not often that you see this course set at the club, but last Sunday saw Race 3 of the BBQ series the Volvo Ocean  Round the World Race.  Course was fairly obvious given the theme.  Topper Youths and Handicap (of which there were 7) were given two laps to do. The oppies (numbering 2) were set an easier course,  a sausage around mark 8, or as Joe put it, to the Panama Canal and back. Wind conditions weren’t the easiest with a good strong breeze blowing.
 
Following tips on how to round the horn, the racers set off, led by Hadey in her Laser 4.7, followed by William, Joe, Edward, Sam in their Toppers, Rachel + crew in their Otter and David and Tom in their Enterprise and their first race! The Oppie fleet consisted of Jemima and Bea.  The wind conditions started causing problems from the start with both Edward and Sam finding it hard going battling against the Trade winds coming down the lake. But after a couple of capsizes they got their eye in and started making progress.  Hadley was the first to Cape Horn followed by William and Joe having a fine battle between the Toppers.  Hadey was first back at the start after 13 mins with William and Joe crossing the line for their second lap  6 mins later with Joe only 20 seconds behind William.  Rachel in her Otter was back after 20 mins.  After some gap came Sam and Edward, who after their capsizes were having a scrap between themselves.  The kind hearted OOD finished them on their first lap with Sam pipping Edward to the post by a mere 5 seconds!   Meanwhile the oppies were having their own battle and like the Toppers finding it tough going making progress upwind.  Jemima managed admirably and completed her two legs to 8 and back ahead of Bea. 
 
Back to the main race, Hadey finished in 1st place after 39 mins making it all look too easy. William crossed the line in 2nd, with Joe finishing in 3rd 5 mins later.  When questioned how a 20 second gap on the 1st lap had widened to 5 mins at the finish, Joe became evasive implying problems with sea monsters, giant squid attacks and becoming becalmed in the Sargasso Sea.  Anyway good fun all around and well done to everyone for taking part. Full results are below. In terms of the full series Joe and William are neck and neck in the Topper fleet, Edward 3rd, Sam 4th.  Jemima is leading Bea in the Oppie class.
 
Thanks to Sylvia, Mike, Steve, and Suzi for providing the rescue boat cover.
 
 
Next BBQ Series is this coming Sunday 5th July  start at 14:30-ish, with the race theme aptly being the America’s Cup !  The weather is looking good, so why not come along with your hot dogs and watch some “big money” yachting. 
 
James Primrose
 
 

AROUND THE WORLD RESULTS
Handicap




Youth
Boat Helm Sail No. Position Pts Boat Helm Sail No. Position Pts
Laser 4.7 Hadey 1 1 Topper William 44904 1 1
Otter Rachel 664 2 2 Topper Joe 31573 2 2
Enterprise Huggett K1067 3 3 Topper Sam 20439 3 3
Topper Edward 17712 4 4
Optimist



Boat Helm Sail No. Position Pts
Optimist Jemima na 1 1
Optimist Bea na 2 2

 
 
 

BBQ Series
Youth


Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total Total



6th June 21st June 28th June

Boat Helm Sail No. Around the Island Fastnet Around The World Total Position
Topper Joe 31573 1 3 2 6 1=
Topper William 44904 4 1 1 6 1=
Topper Edward 17712 2 5 4 11 3
Topper Sam 20439 3 6 DNF 3 12 4
Topper Rhys na 6 6 DNF 11 DNC 23 5
Topper Ben 27796 11 DNC 2 11 DNC 24 6
Topper Tom na 11 DNC 4 11 DNC 26 7
Topper Alex 29871 5 11 DNC 11 DNC 27 8
Pico ? 3 11 DNC 6 DNF 11 DNC 28 9
Topper Luke na 7 11 DNC 11 DNC 29 10
Oppie


Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total Total



6th June 28th June 28th June

Boat Helm Sail No. Around the Island Fastnet Around The World Total Position
Optimist Jemima na 1 2 1 4 1
Optimist Bea na 3 DNC 1 2 6 2
Handicap


Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total Total



6th June 21st June 28th June

Boat Helm Sail No. Around the Island Fastnet Around The World Total Position
Europe Monica 374 1 1 11 DNC 13 1
Topper Tony 24326 2 2 11 DNC 15 2
Otter Rachel 664 11 DNC 3 RTD 2 16 3
Laser 4.7 Hadey 1 11 DNC 11 DNC 1 23 4
Comet Tracy 878 11 DNC 3 RTD 11 DNC 25 5=
Enterprise Hugget K1067 11 DNC 11 DNC 3 25 5=
Europe Amy 319 11 DNC 3 RTD 11 DNC 25 5=
Laser David 22 11 DNC 3 RTD 11 DNC 25 5=
Laser James 148201 3 11 DNC 11 DNC 25 5=
Laser ? 140946 4 DNF 11 DNC 11 DNC 26 10

 
 

28th June Summer Series 4

With a 10 mph SW wind Mark set a beat down to 4, across to 2 then on to 3 and a run down to 8 then the typical 6, 7, start sequence.
There were 21 starters in the Pursuit Race and it was good to see the Mirrors of Pat and Gordon out and Richard B making an appearance in his Laser.
As usual William (Topper) was first back through start line followed by Gordon P (Mirror) then Ian C (Supernova), Karen (Laser), Peter S (Byte) and Steve P (Laser).
By the finish gun Ian had taken the lead with Karen 2nd and Jon (Laser) had moved up to 3rd.  Ellen & Newton (RS200) had moved up to 4th from 8th, Sylvia (Laser) was up to 5th from 9th and Steve P had kept 6th place.
 
Mike & Sally (Leader) and Pat and Gordon (Mirrors) decided one race was enough excitement for one day, so there were 18 starters for the Handicap Race.
At the end of the first lap Newton & Ellen RS200) were 1st, Ian C (Supernova) 2nd, and then the Lasers of Karen, Jon, Sylvia and Rod. Peter S (Byte) came through in 7th place followed by Curtis and Mike A in Lasers followed by Adrian (Vago). Then there were four more Lasers manned by Richard B, John W, Steve P and Alistair S. Next was Mike C (Solo) in a close battle with David M (Laser) and finally Hadey (4.7) and William (Topper).
On the second lap the first six boats had maintained their positions, but Mike A and Adrian had both moved up two places to 7th and 8th respectively. Steve P had moved up one place and David M was up two places.  
At the gun, Ian finished just ahead of Newton & Ellen with Karen a little way back in 3rd. Sylvia and Rod had both gained a place to move to 4th and 5th. There was a close battle between Jon and Mike A
for 6th place, Mike actually got in front of Jon round 6 and 7 only to lose out on the short dash to the line as Jon tacked slightly earlier. Curtis gained a place, John W and Mike C gained two places and Alistair S gained a place, so quite a lot of movement in this final lap.
The final positions on the water were 1st Ian C; 2nd Newton & Ellen; 3rd Karen. On handicap it is going to be very difficult to split 1st and 2nd but Karen should keep 3rd with Peter S just snatching 4th from Sylvia. (That’s a bad move Peter !)
Thanks to Mark B and the OOD Team of James H, Paul W and Bob H 
 

24th June Gillette Series Race 12

It was a pleasant evening for sailing with a 10 mph SW wind and the sun peeping through light cloud. Mike A set a longish beat to 4, then basically zig-zagged back up the lake via 2, 5, 8, 6 and 7 and back through the start.
There were 16 starters and first back across the line was David C (Laser) just in front of Ian C (Supernova) and Karen, Sylvia and Curtis all in Lasers. Next through was Mike T in another Laser closely followed by Chris A (Solo) and Paul H (Supernova). Then there was a slight gap to Peter S (Byte) in 9th place who was pursued by the Lasers of Dean and Alistair J (good to see Alistair join us for his first Gillette outing this season). Mike C (Solo) was close to these two and being hotly pursued  by Bob in another Solo.  The Leaders of Sally & Stuart and Hugh & Hadey were next through, although Hugh & Hadey were having to play catch-up, as when the start gun sounded Hugh was tied to the jetty and Hadey was sprinting across the grass having got caught in traffic. Hadey took a flying leap into the boat as Hugh set off for the start line – a real old Le Mans start ! Bringing up the rear was David M (Laser), but this was highly creditable as David had only completed his RYA Level 1 a few weeks ago !
By the end of the second lap Ian had taken the lead and in fact kept it right to the finish. Karen was now 2nd and David 3rd, but these two had a terrific scrap changing places all through the race.  Sylvia was 4th and Curtis 5th and they maintained these positions to the finish. Chris A had got past Mike T and Mike C had moved up two places.
The third lap saw the 11 leading   boats maintain their positions, the only change through the fleet was Sally & Stuart moving up one place to 12th by passing Alistair.
After four laps David had passed Karen to take 2nd, Mike T had retaken Chris A to move up to 6th and Alistair had repassed Sally & Stuart.
At the finish gun, Ian crossed the line in 1st place well ahead of Karen who had retaken David to take 2nd. Chris A had repassed Mike T and Paul H and Peter S crossed the line together impossible to split on time.
The final positions on the water were 1st Ian – Supernova; 2nd Karen – Laser; 3rd David – Laser and these will not change on handicap.
Good to see David M and Rick out on the race course again so soon after their initial training.
 
Thanks to Mike A, Tracey & Amy T and Martin W for doing their OOD duties.   
 
 

21 June Summer Series 3

The forecast was for a 12 mph SW wind, but it was actually a bit friskier than that for the 17 starters on Sunday.  James P set the first beat to 5, down to 9, back up to 4 on the buoy line then a brisk reach to 2 then up to 3, a long run to 7 and back through the start,
 
In the Pursuit Race as usual William in his Topper was first back through the start line followed by Newton & Ellen in the RS200 and then Dave P (Laser). Paul R (Aero) was 4th followed by the five Lasers of Jon, Karen, Steve S, Richard S and Mike A. Next through the line was Mike C (Solo) pursued by three more Lasers helmed by Curtis, John W and Steve P. Then Roland & Ryan in a National 12 came through followed by Adrian (Vago) and Alistair S (Laser).
At the finish gun Newton & Ellen had taken the lead with Paul 2nd and Jon 3rd.  Most other boats had maintained position but Steve S had moved up three places to 4th. Mike A thought he had heard a premature finish gun and started messing about and promptly capsized, so actually finished the race on his side! Mike C was not too pleased as Mike A had told him that the gun had gone, otherwise Mike C reckoned he would have caught most of the boats ahead of him ! (Is that true?)
Dean J in his Vago started the race but disappeared somewhere on the first lap.
Final positions were 1st Newton & Ellen RS200; 2nd Paul R Aero; 3rd Jon Laser.
The Pursuit Series leader is still Richard S but he is now being pressed by Jon.
 
In the Handicap Race the leaders at the end of the first lap were Newton & Ellen with Paul R 2nd and Jon 3rd.  There was a close midfield scrap between the Lasers of Richard S, Steve S, Curtis and Steve P. Dave P retired on this lap, but not sure why.
The second lap saw the same two boats lead through the line and the biggest mover was Karen up from 10th to 6th. There were three retirements on this lap, Alistair S, Dean J and Roland & Ryan.
At the end of the last lap Paul R had taken the lead with Newton & Ellen 2nd and Jon 3rd (looks a familiar podium !)
Roland on being asked what his boat was, replied a b***dy handful. There are quite a few of these regularly sail at RSC !
The Handicap Series leaders are Newton & Ellen and they are going well in the RS200 so could take some catching.
Thanks to James P and the OOD team of Phil M, David M and Tony R.

BBQ Series – The Fastnet

 
 
 
This Sunday just gone saw the second race of the BBQ series –  “The Fastnet”.  A group of a dozen or more intrepid sailors gathered by the club for the briefing for this, the most gruelling off-shore races, where it was explained to them that the Fastnet Rock in this case was mark 3, Land’s End mark 9 and the Isles of Scilly mark 1 (it just takes a little imagination !).  The handicap and topper class were to do the full course, while for the oppies it was deemed cruel to send them all the way to Ireland, so it was just a leg to Land’s End !  
 
16 boats mustered at the start, and in keeping with the theme the weather was a blustery force 3 to 4.  Tracy in her Comet was the first boat to go  around the rock (the OOD has got remarkably good eyesight). Monica rounded second in her Europe, but not before having some problems remembering whether to pass Land’s End to port or starboard – port is a bit bumpy ! William was the first Topper to reach the Rock before making off towards the Isles of Scilly.  Meanwhile, the two oppies, Jemima and Bea were battling their way down the channel to Land’s End.  Bea had a little help in terms of rather a sizeable tow by the rescue boat (helmed by Jemima’s Dad !), while the OOD pretended not to see.   Tracy and Amy were the first of the handicap fleet back to Cowes, but decided to give the second lap a miss and go off for a play.  The Topper fleet were more resilient with all the boats setting off for a second lap. 
 
In the true nature of the Fastnet there were a number of mishaps, gear failures etc.  Rhys for example lost his mainsheet and needed to be towed in. Others capsized and decided enough was enough.  Anyway ignoring the Handicap fleet for a minute,  William was the first Topper home, Ben second and Joe third. In the oppie battle, Bea pipped Jemima in the downwind run home.  Full results below.  In terms of the full series Joe leads the Topper fleet, with William 2nd,  Edward 3rd, Sam 4th.  In the Oppie class Jemima leads. Don’t worry if you have missed a race, after the 3rd race I will be applying discards so there is still all to play for.
 
Thanks to Steve, Ann and Phil for providing the rescue boat cover.
 
Next BBQ Series is this coming Sunday 28th June start at 14:30-ish.  Monica will be running this as I will be climbing Snowdon !   The race theme ?  The Volvo Around the World Ocean Race – best take sandwiches !
 
James Primrose
 

FASTNET RESULTS
Handicap




Youth
Boat Helm Sail No. Position Pts Boat Helm Sail No. Position Pts
Europe Monica 374 1 1 Topper William 44904 1 1
Topper Tony 24326 2 2 Topper Ben 27796 2 2
Europe 319 DNF 3 Topper Joe 31573 3 3
Laser David 22 DNF 3 Topper Tom na 4 4
Comet Tracy 878 DNF 3 Topper Edward 17712 5 5
Otter ? 664 DNF 3
Pico ? 3 DNF 6
Topper Rhys na DNF 6
Topper Sam 20439 DNF 6
Optimist



Boat Helm Sail No. Position Pts
Optimist Bea na 1 1
Optimist Jemima na 2 2

 
 
 
 

BBQ Series
Youth


Race 1 Race 2 Total Total



6th June 21st June

Boat Helm Sail No. Around the Island Fastnet Total Position
Topper Joe 31573 1 3 4 1
Topper William 44904 4 1 5 2
Topper Edward 17712 2 5 7 3
Topper Sam 20439 3 6 DNF 9 4
Topper Rhys na 6 6 DNF 12 5
Topper Ben 27796 11 DNC 2 13 6
Topper Tom na 11 DNC 4 15 7
Topper Alex 29871 5 11 DNC 16 8
Pico ? 3 11 DNC 6 DNF 17 9
Topper Luke na 7 11 DNC 18 10
Oppie


Race 1 Race 2 Total Total



6th June 21st June

Boat Helm Sail No. Around the Island Fastnet Total Position
Optimist Jemima na 1 2 3 1
Optimist Bea na 3 DNC 1 4 2
Handicap


Race 1 Race 2 Total Total



6th June 21st June

Boat Helm Sail No. Around the Island Fastnet Total Position
Europe Monica 374 1 1 2 1
Topper Tony 24326 2 2 4 2
Otter ? 664 9 DNC 3 RTD 12 3
Europe Amy 319 9 DNC 3 RTD 12 3
Laser David 22 9 DNC 3 RTD 12 3
Laser James 148201 3 9 DNC 12 3
Comet Tracy 878 9 DNC 3 RTD 12 3
Laser ? 140946 4 DNF 9 DNC 13 8

 
 
 
 
 

10th June Gillette 10

With a 12 mph North Easter, Curtis set a first beat to X, then to 5 down to 9, back up to 4 on the buoy line, down to 2 then 3 and back though the start line.
There were 16 starters and first back through the line was Ian C (Supernova) followed by the Lasers of David C, Dave L and Rod with Newton (Solo) in 5th then Ellen (Radial) 6th.  Then Mike C (Solo), Paul H (Supernova) and Steve P (Laser) came through very close together in 7th, 8th and 9th places. There was a slight gap to Sally & Stuart (Leader) who were some way ahead of Ralph (Pico) and Louis J (Topper) and Alistair J (Laser). Good to see Louis and Alistair back on the water.  Then along came only the second doubler hander on the water, the 420 of Chris 7 Carol. Steve S was down as starting but did not complete the first lap, not sure what happened, but probably gear failure.
The only change on the second lap was Paul H gaining a place by passing Mike C and on the third lap everyone maintained position apart from Steve P slipping past Mike C.
By the end of the race Mike C had reversed this but again the rest of the fleet had kept station !
The final positions were 1st Ian C; 2nd David C; 3rd Dave L.
Thanks to Curtis and the OOD team, Hugh, Karen and Mark.
 
 

Summer Series 2015 – 7th & 14th June

The Summer Series is well under way even if the Summer weather has not quite caught up – a bit like this Jolly Sailor ! This year there is a short pursuit race immediately followed by a normal handicap race.
 
The first Sunday 7th June saw a light wind and a fleet of 24 boats set out in in the first Pursuit Race.
At the end of the first lap Mick G in his Otter came through the line in 1st place followed by Hadey (4.7) 2nd and Pat in her Mirror 3rd.
Mick and Hadey were never caught and at the gun were still 1st and 2nd, but David C (Laser) had moved up to take 3rd place.
This may be the first victory for an Otter at RSC so well done Mick.
 
In the following three lap handicap race it was Paul R (Aero) who crossed the finish line in 1st place followed by Newton & Ellen (RS200) and Richards S 3rd in his Laser.
Thanks to Mark and his OOD team for coping with the new format successfully.
 
The second Sunday 14th June saw more wind, but a much reduced fleet of 12 boats.
In the Pursuit race strangely the first two boats through the line at the end of the first lap again stayed ahead right to the finish, these were Newton & Ellen (RS200) in 1st place and Richard S (Laser) in 2nd place. On the first lap Mike C (Solo) was 3rd, but he was passed by Jon (Laser) before the finish gun.
 
In the following Handicap Race Newton & Ellen took the honours again by crossing the line in 1st place but this time Jon was 2nd with Richard 3rd.
Thanks to Ian C and his OOD team, Roland L, Roy T and Paul B.
 
So after two races the leaders in the Summer Pursuit Series are –
1st Richard S – Laser; 2nd Mick G – Otter; 3rd Hadey -4.7
 
The leaders in the Handicap Series are –
1st Newton & Ellen – RS200; 2nd Jon – Laser; 3rd Richard S – Laser
 
1 … 61 62 63 64 65 … 103