Reading Sailing Club Members

Official racing was cancelled on Sunday due to the lake being frozen, that didn’t stop several members heading out for the unofficial “Will’s Cup” once the lake had started to thaw.

6 boats made it to the start line, with Hugh (ILCA7) taking an early lead, he was closely followed by Rhys (ILCA6), with Chris H (Comet) 3rd.

Aileen (Comet) caught up and overtook Chris, both of whom were trading places for the rest of the race.

Hugh crossed the line 1st, with Rhys 2nd and Chris H 3rd.

On Handicap, Rhys & Chris H were joint winners, with Aileen 3rd.

At the start of the second race, Rhys was over the line with less than a minute to go, not noticing the display Z flag. This meant he had a 20% penalty added to his time and was in no biased against the fact his sibling was on the OOD team.

Hugh got away with an early lead, closely followed by Aileen. Rhys, having completed penalty turns, had his work cut out chasing Aileen, eventually passing her.

Hugh crossed the line 1st, with Rhys 2nd and Aileen 3rd.

On Handicap, Hugh finished 1st, with Aileen 2nd & Kate 3rd.

Overall, Hugh wins Will’s Cup, Aileen was 2nd and Rhys 3rd

A big thank you to both Wills & the rest of the OOD team for running the racing on Sunday, and to Newton & Steve for providing coaching to the less experienced members.

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

A big thank you to all the members that braved the cold for our Monthly Work Party on Saturday.

We were able to complete some essential maintenance and tidy up the club.

We also cleared some overgrown bushes to allow a more consistent breeze to the model yachting area.

Our work parties are held on the first Saturday of every month from 10am & are vital to keeping our club running. If you can spare some time, then please come along and help where you can. Hot drinks and cake are always provided

A steady force three for the final races of 2025 on Sunday.

It was a tad chilly, so only 10 boats heading out for the Pursuit race.

The OOD team took no prisoners, DSQing Riccardo (ILCA6) for starting at the wrong time and Ron (Mirror) for sailing the wrong course.

Chris H & Aileen, both in Comets took early leads, with Newton & Darren, both in Solos close behind. The course went close to the Buoy line, leading to quite a few hails for room to avoid obstructions.

Newton got ahead of Darren, passed Aileen and set off to catch Chris H. Who both had a close fight for the top spot. Further back, Aileen was trying to keep Darren at bay. James P (ILCA7) meanwhile had caught up, giving a three boat race for the final podium place.

At the finish gun, Newton was ahead, Chris H 2nd & Darren 3rd.

The Handicap race had a great start, with almost every boat right on the line, James P, Newton & Darren were the first around the windward mark and had a close fight for the remainder of the race. Chris H was close behind in his slower Comet.

Further back, Aileen, Ian H (ILCA6) & Riccardo were having a close fight, before Aileen pulled away.

On the final lap, Darren dropped back and Newton sailed clear of James, crossing the line first. James was 2nd & Darren 3rd.

On Handicap, Newton was 1st, Chris H 2nd & Darren 3rd.

A big thank you to Hugh and his team for running the racing on Sunday.

After the race, there was Soup & Banoffee Pie, made by Ann.

We’re back on New Year’s Day for the New Year’s Day Pennant.

A great turnout for the first of Newton’s Theory sessions today.

An in depth look at the 5 Essentials & the use of boat controls, not just on when to use them, but also on the physics behind why they are important.

A big thank you to Newton for running an excellent session.

Sunday Theory will return next week for a look at Upwind Sailing & Dirty Air

A shifty northeasterly wind for the Boxing Day Pennant race.

Despite many having indulged in far too many Mince Pies the day before, 14 boats took the the water for the hour long race.

Hugh (ILCA7) was first around the windward mark, closely followed by Rhys (ILCA6). James P (ILCA7) overtook Rhys and was fighting Hugh for the lead.

Further back, Rhys, Joel & Will P (All ILCA6) were trading places along with Richard W (ILCA7).

Further back, the Solos of Roland S & Newton were having a close battle with Richard G in his 2000, who had chosen Kate as his latest victim to crew for him.

The wind picked up towards the end of the race, as Hugh increased the distance between himself & James, whilst Rhys had caught up with James.

Hugh crossed the line first, with James P 2nd and Rhys 3rd.

On Handicap, Rhys wins the Boxing Day Pennant, with Joel 2nd & Hugh 3rd.

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

After the race, there was Root Vegetable Soup, made by Ann.

We’re back on Sunday for the next rounds of the Frostbite Series, followed by Newton’s inaugural talk on improving boat speed.

Light winds for the latest rounds of the Frostbite Series on Sunday.

15 sailors made it out for the the racing in force one and a bit winds.

A short course was the order of the day, which allowed racers to get several laps in, despite the calm weather.

Ron was off first in his Mirror, with the rest of the fleet close behind. The wind filled in slightly and most of the boats met at the windward mark, with Aileen (Comet), Roland (Solo) & Will S (ILCA6) getting ahead.

3-5 business days later, Mike & Alé set off in the 470, attempting to catch up with the rest of the fleet.

After the first lap, Ron was still layed, but was quickly passed by Roland who took the lead.

Will S, Hugh (ILCA7) & Darren (Solo) were close behind but unable to overtake him.

Further back in the midfleet, there was plenty of places being traded & a close fight between Newton (Solo)& Chris H (Comet).

At the finish gun, Roland was 1st, Will S 2nd & Hugh 3rd.

Most remained out for the Handicap, a short start line allowed plenty of tussling for space between boats.

Steve S (Blaze), Will S & James P all had great first beats and shot into the top three places, with the remainder of the fleet fighting for space around the windward mark. At the front, Steve managed to sail clear of Will, who both ended up racing by themselves for the remainder of the race.

Further Back, Hugh & Roland had caught up with James P and we’re battling for the final podium position.

Elsewhere, Newton and Darren were having a close battle In their Solos, whilst Nigel & Will P were changing places, both in ILCA6’s. Fresh on the water in his new Solo, Ian H had caught up with both of them, passing Nigel in the process.

Steve S crossed the line 1st, with Will S 2nd & Hugh 3rd.

On Handicap, Will S was first, Roland 2nd & Chris H 3rd.

A big thank you to Karen & her team for running the racing on Sunday.

After the race, there was Soup, sausage rolls, mince pies, brownies, banoffee pie & mulled wine. All organised by Ann & Sally.

We’re back on boxing day for the Boxing Day Cup.

The December Pink Fleet drew the year to a close with its famous Christmas Party. The event was well attended by regular Pink Fleet sailors. However, one vital element was missing, that of its host Monica, who sadly was unable to attend. The weather also decided not to play ball and the morning saw very heavy mist and very little wind, giving Brian no choice but to call off the fun race.

The mist did clear eventually. A few hardy souls braved the conditions despite the lack of wind. Others decided to enjoy the mulled wine while watching the proceedings and having a good chat. A lunch of jacket potatoes, beans and cheese followed by mince pies preceded a quiz hosted by Brian.

All of the answers were places in the UK! A prize was awarded to the winning team (Richard, Barbara & Christine) along with a prize for the ‘Best Decorated’ Boat (Chris & Carol)

Brian and Richard were thanked and given a gift for all of their hard work over the year supporting the Pink Fleet sailors.

A huge thanks goes to Monica who is the driving force behind Pink Fleet.

Pink Fleet will return on Saturday 14th March

Force 3 for the first rounds of the Frostbite series on Sunday.

14 boats made it out for the pursuit race, with Paul W (Morbic) setting off first, with Ron close behind in his Mirror.

The wind slowly built throughout the race with some large shifts, giving several sailors a helping hand. Karen & Chris H (Both Comets) were the lead boats after the first lap, with Newton & Ralph close behind, both in Solos. They passed both Karen & Chris on the second beat, with Newton taking the lead.

Further back, James P & Hugh were trading places, both in ILCA 7’s. Steve meanwhile was charging through the fleet in his Blaze.

At the finish gun, Newton was in the lead, Ralph was 2nd. The final podium place was hotly contested between Karen, Hugh & Steve. A dodgy gybe from Steve meant Hugh stayed ahead finishing 3rd.

All racers remained out for the handicap race as the wind built further. Steve S & Mark B (AERO7) gained an early lead. Hugh was close behind before capsizing at the gybe mark. Not wanting to be outdone, Ralph capsized twice on the subsequent leg and required assistance, forcing his retirement.

Newton meanwhile opted for a 270 manoeuvre rather than a gybe, but ended up lodged on the Buoy line, ending his race.

A capsize from both Aeros of Mark & Richard G rounded off the capsizes of the day. Richard was able to continue, but Mark retired.

Hugh meanwhile had caught up with James & were having a close race, with Richard close behind.

Steve crossed the line 1st, with Hugh 2nd & James 3rd.

On handicap, Hugh finished 1st, James 2nd & Steve 3rd.

A big thank you to Peter S & his team for running the racing on Sunday & for providing excellent safety boat cover.

After the race, there was Soup, made by Sally.

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