25th May – Whitsun Cup
Very light and shifty winds for Monday’s Whitsun Cup.
3 races across the day, with a stoppage for some well deserved lunch.
It was great to see so many boats out on Monday, whether you were racing or not.
Chris H (Comet) was the early leader in the first race, but dropped back significantly as the race wore on. Rick (ILCA 7),& Mike & Ale (Albacore) also suffered from hitting patches of no wind, and subsequently tumbled down the order.
At the finish gun, Karen crossed the line first, having staged a great comeback from earlier in the race. Newton (Solo) was second and Chris H 3rd. It was great so see so many positions being traded throughout the fleet.
The course was changed for the second race, but the wind shifted again, once again allowing for plenty of overtaking.
Newton was first across the line, followed by Karen 2nd and Chris H 3rd.
After aovely lunch of Sausage Casserole & Apple Pie, made by Ann. The fleet returned to the water for the final race.
The wind had filled in slightly, from the Southwest, but alas kept shifting.
Only 5 of the boats managed 6 laps.
Newton crossed the line first, with Karen 2nd & Mike & Ale 3rd.
Once handicaps had been applied and times adjusted, Karen wins the Whitsun Cup, with a clean sweep of 3 wins.
Newton was 2nd & Aileen 3rd.
Thanks to Hugh and his team for running the racing on Monday.
Reading Sailing Trainees – 23/24th May
PINK FLEET – SATURDAY 13TH JUNE CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
OPEN DAY – A BIG THANK YOU
It was lovely to see so many people at the club for our Open Day on Saturday.
Over 50 members welcomed just shy of 200 visitors, who were greeted with fantastic weather and wind. It was great to see so many get involved with the various taster sessions.
A big thank you to all those who volunteered their time, both on the day and in the run up to the event. We couldn’t have done it without all of you.
You can find a google photo album of images from the day here.
Sunday 10th May – Spring Series Race 8
Sunday tempted out only the dedicated. The wind was from the SE with strong gusts over 30mph and varying in direction. First away was Ron then followed by Aileen and Kate who seemed to miss time the start. Daren and Newton followed in their Solos with Daren soon pulling away from Newton. Adrian F followed in his Laser, no Rooster just a full rig today along with Gareth. Darren soon past the slower boat but Aileen was going well in her small rig and put up a good fight against Newton before relinquishing 2nd place to him. She also put up a good fight against Adrian who past her just before the time ran out. The final places where Darren, Newton, Adrian, and Aileen.
The handicap race started in much the same conditions. Darren and Newton were the early leaders with Newton hanging on well to Darren for the first lap or so. Adrian was a little way back in his laser and Aileen and Chris were having a great battle in their Comets which was to last the whole race. Darren eventually pulled a bit further away from Newton who in turn pulled away from Adrian. That was the order at the finish line and it did not change on corrected time. Chris 4th just piping Aileen who had been ahead two buoys from the finish. Gareth, Kate, who only capsized once, and Ron completed the order.
6th May Commodore’s Cup – Race 5
Another evening of uncooperative winds for the latest rounds of the Commodore’s Cup on Wednesday.
The wind shifted just before the start, leaving a fetch to the windward mark.
Both Mark B (AERO7) & Mike T (ILCA7) got away well, starting at the pin end on port.
Karen (Comet) was just behind, but the rest of the fleet were stuck in their dirty air. Steve S (Solo) also made good headway, but the other Solos of Ralph and Newton got caught with Hugh (ILCA6) at the windward mark. A lot of disagreement ensued of whether there was an overlap or not. This cost the three of them several boats lengths.
Further back, there was plenty of noise in the mid fleet as Aileen (Comet) & Hadey (ILCA6) were having a battle for both position and who was the loudest on the water.
the positions remained lately unchanged throughout the race, but Ralph & Richard W (ILCA7) both passed Hugh, meanwhile, at the sharp end of the fleet, Steve S had passed Karen.
At the end of the race, Mark B crossed the line 1st, with Mike T 2nd & Steve S 3rd.
On Handicap, Karen was 1st, with Steve S 2nd & Mike T 3rd.
A big thank you to Rick & his team for running the racing on Wednesday.
After the race, there was Lasagne & Crumble, made by Sally.
We’re back racing on Sunday for the next rounds of the Spring Series
4th May – May Day Pennant
A fresh breeze for the May Day Pennant on Monday, with 19 sailors taking to the water.
A Northeasterly meant starting down the far end of the lake. A hectic start again at the committee boat end, but Dave & Ann (Leader) made terrific gains at the starting gun, starting at the pin end, reaching the windward mark first.
Mark B (AERO7) also had a good first leg, starting at the opposite end. He was second around the windward mark.
Hugh (ILCA7) and Newton (Solo) both passed the leaders, with a tight battle ensuing between the two. Hugh got ahead, but Newton and the rest of the fleet remained close. Karen and Chris H (Both Comets) were having a close battle with each other which went right to the finish line.
At the front, Hugh crossed the line 1st, with Newton 2nd and Mark B 3rd.
On handicap, Karen wins the May Day Cup, with Chris H 2nd and Jess 3rd.
A big thank you to Mike T and his team for running the racing on Monday.
After the race, there was Quiche, new potatoes and salad, made by Ann.
5th May
12 boats out for the Tuesday modellers last week, with 10 races run across the morning.
Under the ever watchful eye of Monica, there was no infringements of the rules.
Richard S won the day, with 4 wins, Chris B was second with 3 wins, Steve S was 3rd with one win. The final two wins were picked up by Pete S who finished 4th.
Only 9 racers out for Friday’s proceeding, with 8 races across the morning.
Richard S once again won the day, with 5 out of 8 wins. Alistair S was 2nd with one win and Pete S 3rd. The final wins were from Mike T & Eddie.
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Sunday 26th April Spring Series – RACE 6
Strong and shifty winds from the northeast again for the latest rounds of the Commodore’s Cup.
Only 5 sailors made it out, with quite a few additional helpers on the safety boat team.
The three ILCA 6’s of James P, Hugh & Will S all started well, with Will able to cross over Infront of the others.
The wind was playing havoc at the windward mark and caused several boats to lose ground.
Will and Hugh we’re neck and neck around the windward mark. However, both Hugh & James lost control on the run, with the latter capsizing.
Will meanwhile sailed on, increasing his lead throughout the race. He crossed the line 1st over 4 minutes ahead of the next laser.
Meanwhile, Aileen (Comet) & Kate (ILCA4) were both making progress around the course. The wind and the strong gusts eased towards the end of the race which made it more manageable.
Hugh was second across the line, with James P 3rd.
The positions remained unchanged on Handicap.
A big thank you to Steve S and his team for running the race and providing such excellent safety cover.
After the race, there was Chicken & Chorizo Gnocchi, made by Karen.
We’re back on Sunday for the next rounds of the Spring Series.
29th April Commodore’s Cup – Race 4
Shifty winds for the latest rounds of the Spring Series on Sunday.
16 boats made it out for the start of the pursuit race, with Milo in his Topper 4.2 first off, followed by the rest of the fleet.
The majority of the fleet set off together, however the wind suddenly shifted, with the boats starting later able to make the windward mark on almost one tack.
This pattern followed for much of the race, with most of the fleet in the top 3 at some point. Not detracting from those that finished near the top, but it was definitely a race of luck rather than skill.
At the finish gun Hugh (ILCA7) & Steve S (Solo) were neck and neck, with neither knowing who was ahead. The race officer ultimately decided that Hugh finished 1st, with Steve S 2nd and Newton (Solo) 3rd.
The wind once again shifted for the start of the Handicap race, with several boats colliding as they struggled to make the line. Newton & Jess (ILCA6) got away well into clear air, with Hugh & Karen (Comet) close behind.
Jess dropped back several places, with positions frequently traded between Steve S, Aileen & Chris H (Comet) and Richard S (ILCA6.)
At the finish gun, Hugh crossed the line 1st, with Newton 2nd and Karen 3rd.
On handicap Karen was 1st, Newton 2nd & Chris H 3rd.
A big thank you to Adrian and his team for running the racing on Sunday.
We’re back on Wednesday for the next round of the Commodore’s Cup
