Reading Sailing Club Members

The wind tonight was coming from the NW about 10-12 mph and Steve s set the first mark as 5 then 4, 9, 1, A and back through the start.

There were 20 starters, the same number as last week. First back through the start was Karen (Laser) only two seconds ahead of Darren (Laser) followed closely by the four Lasers of Ellen, Ralph, Mark and Mike T. Then as a change, the Solo of Newton crossed in 7^th place with Will (Radial) in 8^th just ahead of the Leader of Dave & Ann. Next along was Chris A having abandoned his Solo in favour of a Laser with Sally (Comet) chasing him. Our Commodore, Nigel (Laser) was next across the line in 12^th place well ahead of Rick (Laser) in 13^th and he was followed by Ron (Mirror), Emily (4.7) and Richard H (Laser). Then along came the motley crew of Rich F (Comet Duo), Aileen and Chris in Comets (they must have been too busy class racing to notice Sally getting clean away) and last but not least Phoebe in her Oppie.

By the end of the second lap Darren had passed Karen to take the lead and Ralph had moved up to 3^rd. Further back Chris A, Richard H andAileen all gained two places. Rich F retired on this lap and Phoebe received the gun at the end of the lap.

On the third lap Ralph and Ellen passed Karen to move up to 2^nd and 3^rd respectively and Newton passed Mike T and Mark to move to 5^th. Dave & Ann moved up to 8^th position by repassing Chris A and getting past Will, as did Nigel gaining two places to 9^th. Ron and Emily received the gun at the end of this lap.

Darren crossed the line in 1^st place at the end of the fourth and last lap with Ralph still 2^nd. There was a split decision for 3^rd place with Ellen and Karen crossing the line abreast with Mike T only one second behind them in 5^th place. Chris A and Nigel also crossed line abreast battling for 10^th spot.

The order on the water was – 1^st Darren; 2^nd Ralph; 3^rd equal Ellen and Karen; 5^th Mike T; 6^th Newton.

On corrected time the order changes to – 1^st Darren; 2^nd Newton; 3^rd Ralph; 4^th Ron; 5^th equal Ellen and Karen; 6^th Mike T

Thanks to SOOD Steve S and the team of Monica, Mike C, Nick H, Nick J and Peter S.

It was quite a frisky wind this morning, blowing SW 15 -17 mph from the SW and a number of the Laser sailors opted to use a Radial rig.

Pursuit Race

There were 14 out today and at the end of the first lap the early starters Ron and Jewels in their Mirrors and Rhys (4.7) were still leading the fleet. Ralph (Laser) was 4^th, Paul R (Aero) 5^th with Karen (Radial) in 6^th place.  Chris H (Comet) came through the line in 7^th place trying to stay ahead of the Lasers of Mike T and Darren. Newton (RS200) crossed in 10^th place with new crew Rick learning the ropes and being shown how to keep out of the bushes! The Lasers of James, Hugh and Adrian were bringing up the rear of the fleet along with Dave & Ann (Leader).

At the gun Jewels was still ahead of everyone, but Paul had moved up to 2^nd with Ralph 3^rd, Darren 4^th and Karen up one place to 5^th. Rhys was still going well hanging on to 6^th place, Chris had retired and Hugh was up 7^th. 

Handicap Race

Chris and Dave & Ann decided to sit this one out and Hugh soon joined them when his rigging came adrift.

Paul (Aero) was first back through the line about 30 seconds ahead of the Lasers of Darren, James, Mike T and Ralph. Newton & Rick (RS200) crossed in 6^th place with Adrian (Laser) 7^th about a minute ahead of Karen (Radial) in 8^th.  Jewels (Mirror) was next along with Rhys (4.7) chasing her and Ron (don’t write me off Mirror) holding the lanterne rouge.

Second lap and no change in the first four, but Newton & Rick moved up to 5^th by passing Ralph and further back Rhys had got past Jewels.

By the end of the last lap Paul had increased his lead to nearly three minutes and Mike T had caught James to take 3^rd place, but there were no other changes in position.

The final order on the water was – 1^st Paul; 2^nd Darren; 3^rd Mike T; 4^th James; 5^th Newton & Rick; 6^th Ralph.

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Paul; 2^nd Jewels; 3^rd Darren; 4^th Mike T; 5^th Ron; 6^th James.

Thanks to SOOD Mark and the team of Bill C, Gareth & Thomas D and Richard S.

After the race Karen and Hugh were presented with their well deserved RYA awards, but more about that in the next newsletter.

Another light wind tonight, around 10 mph but varying in strength throughout the evening.  It was coming from the WNW, which made setting the course a bit tricky. Steve S used A for the first mark up towards the buoy line, then 9, 5, 4, 8 and back through the start.

There were 20 starters and Karen (Laser) was first back through the line just ahead of Jess in another Laser. About one minute later Mike T (Laser) came through in 3^rd place followed by Dave & Ann (Leader) and Dean & Nick (Vago) with Mike C (Solo) another 30 seconds behind them. Ralph and Mark in Lasers were having a close battle for 7^th spot with Darren (Laser) not enjoying the light wind, one minute adrift of them. Aileen in her Comet was 10^th and showing fellow Comet sailor, Chris H, the way to sail in light wind! Rick was trying to shake off Ron in his Mirror who was in a Laser sandwich with Jeremy closing on him from behind. Sally in another Comet was trying to stay ahead of Hilary in her Laser with the boys in the back room, Nick, Paul H, Rich and Nigel trying to get a say!

With the lack of wind there was only one more lap and Jess enjoyed victory over Karen by about 10 seconds. Mike T hung on to 3^rd place, but the Jones boys dislodged team Lomas from fourth spot by only 2 seconds!  There was another close finish behind them with Ralph squeezing past Mike C to take 6^th. Darren nearly caught Mark crossing the line just four seconds behind him and Chris H, Rick and Jeremy all gained a place by passing Aileen.

Hilary pipped Sally who was also passed by Nick and Nigel. Some close battles all through the fleet.

The order on the water was -1^st Jess; 2^nd Karen; 3^rd Mike T; 4^th Dean & Nick; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Ralph.

There were some significant changes on corrected time with Ron popping out of the smoke to take first place, the final order being – 1^st Ron; 2^nd Chris H; 3^rd Dave & Ann; 4^th Mike C; 5^th Jess; 6^th Aileen.

A WSW wind this morning which varied between 10 and 15 mph throughout the morning. Mike A set a first beat to 4 then 9, 5, 8, 6,7 and back through the start.

Just before the start there was a coming together between James and Chris & Hilary, but fortunately they managed to untangle themselves before the start gun!

Pursuit Race

Shortly after starting Mike T (Laser) had to return to shore to untangle his twisted main sheet. The wind picked up during the race but coming to the end of the first lap early starters Jewels & Talia (Mirror) still led with Papa Ron in another Mirror in 2^nd place. Unfortunately, Jewels missed out No 8 and subsequently retired.  Rhys (4.7) was 2^nd across the line followed by Karen and Richards S, both in Radials. Darren, Jon, and Mark (Lasers) were next through having caught and passed Chris H (Comet) and Dave & Ann (Leader). Aileen (Comet) prudently retied when the wind got a bit frisky.

At the gun, the order was – 1^st Darren; 2^nd Rhys; 3^rd Jon (who just passed Karen before the gun sounded!); 4^th Karen; 5^th James; 6^th Mark.

Handicap Race

The wind had eased a bit for the second race and Darren was first back across the line followed by Mark and Mike T (all in Lasers). Dave & Ann (Leader) and Ralph (Laser) crossed the line together battling for 4^th place with a slight gap back to James (Laser) in 6^th spot. Chris & Hilary (Wayfarer) were 7^th followed by Adrian (Laser) just ahead of the Radials of Karen and Richard S competing for 9^th.  Jon (Laser), missing the stronger wind, crossed in 11^th place just ahead of Chris H (Comet) and then Ron (Mirror) who was hanging on to minimize the gap. Bringing up the rear of the fleet were Gareth (Laser) and Rhys (4.7), who was also missing the stronger wind of the first race!

At the end of the second and last lap, Mike T took the victory with Mark still in 2^nd and Darren down to 3^rd.  Ralph had eased away from Dave & Ann to take 4^th place with James and Chris & Hilary still 6^th and 7^th respectively and managing to stay apart! Karen and Richard had passed Adrian, but Jon had passed all of them to take 8^th place. There were no other changes behind them.

The order on the water was – 1^st Mike T; 2^nd Mark; 3^rd Darren; 4^th Ralph; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th James.

On corrected time the final positions are – 1^st Ron (up from 13^th!); 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Dave & Ann; 5^th Ralph; 6^th Chris H (up from 12^th).

Thanks to SOOD Mike A and Helen, Issy, Frantz, Peter R and Roland L (who stepped into the breech to accompany Issy when the wind got up).  

With a SE wind of about 10 mph, Newton set a start line just past No 5 with a first beat to A (near 1), then 9, up to C (near the buoy line between the Committee Boat and 5)  then 5 and back through the start.

There were 22 starters, the highest number so far for this series. At the end of the first lap the fleet was pretty well line astern with small gaps between the individual boats. Darren led Mike T, Karen and Mark, all in Lasers with Chris H (Comet) in 5^th place and Dave & Ann (Leader) in 6^th.  Jess (Laser) was 7^th with a small gap back to Rick (Laser) and Mike A (Radial) and they were not far ahead of Sally (Comet) Paul H and Ralph (both in Lasers) and Mike C (Solo) and Jeremy (Laser), the latter two crossing the line together. Next across the line were Dean & Nick (Vago) in 15th place just ahead of Jemima in her new RS Terra Pro (a bit of a mouthful to say, but a very nice looking boat). Emily (4.7) was through in 17^th place being chased by the Lasers of Nigel and Nick followed by Aileen (Comet) and Ron (Mirror) and Rich (Comet Duo).

On the second lap there was no change in the first three, but Jess had nipped ahead of Mark to move up to 4^th place. Ralph, Mike C and Dean & Nick all gained four places to move up to 8^th, 9^th and 10^th respectively (it’s amazing what a lucky wind shift can do for you!). Further back Jeremy gained a place by passing Sally and Nigel and Aileen both made up two places to 16^th and 18^th.

By the end of the third lap, Darren had increased his lead on Mike T and Jess was just in front of Karen and moved up to 3^rd. Dave & Ann gained two places to move to 5^th by passing Mark and Chris H with Ralph abreast of Chris as they crossed the line. Paul H moved up a place to 10^th by passing Dean & Nick and Nigel gained two places and Nick one by getting past Jeremy. Jemima and Rich retired at the end of the lap.

No change with the first two on lap four, but Karen repassed Jess to regain 3^rd place. Ralph and Mike C moved up to 5^th and 7^th respectively pushing Mark down to 8^th. Aileen had a good lap passing Nick, Nigel and Sally to move to 15^th place. The wind was dropping rapidly throughout this lap and Jeremy, Mike A, Aileen, Sally, Nick, Emily, Nigel and Ron all received the gun at the end of the lap.

Rick, Paul H and Dean & Nick were really pleased that they made the cut and were given the opportunity to test out their light wind skills on the fifth lap.

Darren crossed the line before  the fourth lap finishers did, much to their relief! The only change on the last lap was Ralph relieving Jess of her 4^th place by just five seconds.

The order on the water was – 1^st Darren; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Karen; 4^th Ralph; 5^th Jess; 6^th Dave & Ann ( the only ones not in a Laser)

On corrected time this becomes- 1^st Darren; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Chris H; 4^th Dave & Ann; 5^th Karen; 6^th Ron (you did not see that coming – lights and mirrors)

Thanks to SOOD Newton and the team of Sam, Phoebe and Angus.

Another windy Sunday morning with a S-SSW wind which was around 15-18 mph. Mike T set a long beat down to 3 then 2, 4, 9, 5, 6, 7 and back through the start.

Pursuit Race

There were 11 starters and at the end of the first lap early starter Ron (Mirror) was still leading from Chris H (Comet), but they were rapidly being caught by Paul R in his Aero 7 followed by a Karen (Radial) and Newton & Sam (RS200).

At the gun the final order was –

1^st Paul R; 2^nd Karen; 3^rd Darren (Laser); 4^th Jon (Laser); 5^th Newton & Sam (RS200); 6^th Chris H

Handicap Race

Everyone stayed on for the second race and first back across the line was Paul R one minute ahead of Darren in 2^nd place, closely followed by Newton & Sam and Jon. Karen was 30 seconds further back in 5^th place and then there was a slight gap before the Lasers of James and Adrian came through contesting 6^th place. Emily (4.7) and Chris H were having a good battle with only one second splitting them across the line with Rick (Laser) about 30 seconds behind them and Ron in his Mirror bringing up the rear of the fleet.

Paul increased his lead on the second lap and Newton & Sam passed Darren to move up to 2^nd. Everyone else maintained station apart from Rick, who just pipped Chris across the line to gain a place. Ron received the gun at the end of this lap.

At the end of the third lap Paul took victory with an increased lead of four minutes. There was no change in the position of the next four boats, but Adrian passed James to take 6^th spot. Emily sailed a good race maintaining 8^th place and behind her Chris regained his 9^th place from Rick.

The order on the water was – 1^st Paul; 2^nd Newton & Sam; 3^rd Darren; 4^th Jon; 5^th Karen; 6^th Adrian

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Paul; Equal 2^nd Darren and Karen; 4^th newton & Sam; 5^th Jon; 6^th Emily   

Thanks to Mike T and the race team of Ann & Dave, Sally, Nando and Richard S.

The forecast was for a 10 mph wind from the West, but when we arrived at RSC there was hardly any wind at all, and it was difficult to set a course and we wondered if there would be enough people interested in going out. Then a gentle breeze started up and dinghies came out and all looked well, but suddenly the wind got up and the rain poured down and conditions were so bad that we considered abandoning the race all together. Everyone wondered if this squall would pass and at around 18.45 it began to ease so the race was on and Mark set a first beat to 5 then 9, 4, 6, 7 and back through the start line.

There were 16 starters and at first there was quite a nice breeze, but unfortunately this dropped away and we were worried that the fleet would not even complete one lap. Eventually they managed it, but everyone received the gun at the end of the lap as the wind was completely dying.

The order on the water was –

1^st Darren; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Karen; 4^th Ralph; (all in Lasers) 5^th Dave & Ann (Leader); 6^th Dean & Nick (Vago)

On corrected time this becomes –

1^st Darren; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Karen; 4^th Aileen; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Chris H

Well done to Aileen for beating the Comet maestro Chris!

Also well done to all the other competitors for hanging in there despite the rapidly changing conditions, Emily, Hilary, Newton, Nigel, Phoebe, Rick, Sally.

Thanks to SOOD Mark B and the team of Frantz, Angus and Mike A.

There were three back-to-back races this year and 13 starters. The wind was a bit tricky coming straight from the West and quite light, although during the races it veered from SW to NW and was even coming from the SE at one point! It also varied in strength from 3 mph to about 10 mph.

The start line was set parallel to the shore just clear of the model boat buoys and the first mark was A (near the buoy line about halfway between 5 and 6), then 5, 7, B (halfway between the shore and the start line).

Race 1

Mark (Laser) was first back across the line followed by Ralph, Mike T and Karen all in Lasers. About one minute later Newton & Sam (RS200) came through in 5^th place with Chris K (Laser) and Chris H (Comet) not far behind him in 7^th and Mike C in his nicely refurbished Solo was 8^th.  Emily & Phoebe were out together in a Feva and just ahead of Aileen (Comet) battling for 9^th place. Dave & Ann (Leader) and Rick (Laser) were languishing at the back in the light wind with Paul W even further back in his Morbic12 and he received the gun at the end of this lap as most of the fleet were finishing their second lap at the same time.

On the second lap Mark still led but Mike T passed Ralph for 2^nd place and there were no other changes in position. Rick received the gun at the end of this lap.

Mark crossed the line to finish 1^st, but Newton & Sam had moved up to 2^nd with Chris K passing Ralph to take 4^th place. Mike C had a good last lap moving up two places to 6^th and Dave & Ann also moved up two places to 9^th. Aileen won her battle with Emily and Phoebe to finish in 10^th place.

The final order on the water was –

1^st Mark; 2^nd Newton & Sam; 3^rd Mike T; 4^th Chris K; 5^th Ralph; 6^th Mike C

On corrected time there were some significant changes –

1^st Chris H; 2^nd Mark; 3^rd Mike C; 4^th Newton & Sam; 5^th Mike |T; 6^th Chris K

Race 2

The course remained the same as did the first lap leader with Mark crossing just ahead of Karen. There was then a gap before Newton & Sam came along in 3^rd place not far ahead of Mike T and Dave & Ann who were followed closely by Chris K and Mike C. Ralph and Chris H crossed the line together battling for 8^th place and Chris H was striving to catch them. Emily & Phoebe and Aileen were at it again and difficult to split as they crossed the line with Rick much better away this time and closing on them rapidly. Paul W was as usual observing the fleet with interest.

On the second lap there was no change in the first three places, but Dave & Ann were up to 4^th and Rick had rocketed up to 5th. Ralph, Chris H and Emily & Phoebe all gained two places to move up to 6^th, 7^th and 8th respectively. Paul received the gun at the end of the lap.

At the end of the last lap remarkably there was no change in the order of the first seven boats! Chris K had regained three places to finish 8^th and Aileen and Mike C both regained one place to take 9^th and 11^th places.

The order on the water was –

1^st Mark; 2^nd Karen; 3^rd Newton & Sam; 4^th Dave & Ann; 5^th Rick; 6^th Ralph

On corrected time the order becomes-

1^st Mark; 2^nd Karen; 3^rd Chris H; 4^th Newton & Sam; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Rick

Race 3

There was a course change for this third race with the start line more or less the same, but the first mark was now 5 then 8, 9, B and back through the start.

For a change, Newton & Sam were the first back through the line followed by the Lasers of Mile T, Mark and Ralph. Dave & Ann were next through in 5^th place just ahead of Rick but the next four were very close together with Chris H leading Mike C, Karen and Chris K. Behind them Aileen and Emily & Phoebe had re-joined battle and were only 10 seconds apart with Paul W cheering from behind.

Like the previous race the leading three remained the same but Karen and Chris K both gained five places to move up to 4^th and 5^th respectively. Further back Emily & Phoebe had passed Aileen and Rick retired (he had been hoping for more wind so that he could fit this one in, but alas ran out of time as his pass-out was about to expire!) Paul received the gun at the end of the lap.

Newton & Sam took the victory as they crossed the line about one minute ahead of Mike T in 2^nd place. Karen just pipped Mark for 3^rd place with no change in 5^th and 6^th positions. The race long battle behind these between Dave & Ann, Chris H and Mike C was won by Chris, but only by 10 seconds as both he and Mike managed to squeeze past Dave & Ann. Behind them Aileen had managed to repass Emily and Phoebe, but again it was a close finish.

The order on the water was –

1^st Newton & Sam; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Karen; 4^th Mark; 5^th Chris K; 6^th Ralph, all in Lasers apart from the RS200 at the front.

Unusually they all retained their positions on corrected time. The first time that this has happened for a long time!

All three races counted towards the overall winner, and the recipient of the May Day Pennant with  first, second and fourth place finishes was Mark B (or would have been if Newton had brought the right trophy along!)

Congratulations to Mark.

Thanks to SOOD Mike A and the team of Alistair S, Bill C, Christine H and Sally.

The weather tonight was dreadful with heavy rain and a very light wind from the NNE. The race team led by Rick reluctantly agreed that it would have to be a CB start, so there was no hope of them keeping dry! Surprisingly, there were 10 starters, but we managed to keep them out there for four laps, (although they were very short laps). Rick set the start near the buoy line between 4 and 5 and the first beat to A (offshore of the model boat buoys), then up to to 5, 9, B (middle of the lake just NW of Ttektona) and back through the start.

The fleet was closely packed at the end of the first lap with Dean & Nick (Vago) leading from Newton (Solo) and Karen and Ralph in Lasers. Chris (Comet) was through in 5^th place followed by Darren and Mark (Lasers) with Sally (Comet) only 30 seconds behind them with Emily (4.7) and Phoebe (Oppie) slightly further back.

The wind kept picking up and then dropping again so there was a fair amount of the elastic band effect, depending on when and where the boats caught the lifts. By the end of the second lap Karen had taken the lead with Newton still in 2^nd place with Darren moving up to 3^rd and Dean & Nick down to 4^th.  Mark was up to 5^th shuffling Ralph and Chris down and Sally, Emily and Phoebe maintained station.

No change with the leading two on the third lap, but Dean & Nick regained a place to move up to 3^rd. The Lasers behind were swapping places with Ralph back up and Darren and Mark down a place. Chris and Sally were steady in 7^th and 8^th places (although Sally had closed the gap) and in the light winds were staying in touch of the boats ahead. Emily and Phoebe were not losing ground (or water) either and Phoebe was given the gun at the end of the lap.

The rain was still pouring down and it was not getting any warmer, so leader Karen was given the hooter as she crossed the line at the end of the fourth lap. The only changes in position behind her were Ralph and Mark both gaining a place, making the final order –

1^st Karen; 2^nd Newton; 3^rd Dean & Nick; 4^th Ralph; 5^th Mark; 6^th Darren.

On corrected time this becomes –

1^st Newton; 2^nd Chris; 3^rd Karen; 4^th Sally; 5^th Phoebe; 6^th Dean & Nick

Thanks to SOOD Rick and the team of Aileen, Angus and Mike A, who suffered the cold and wet sitting out in the safety boats (apart from Angus who seems to be impervious to the weather!)

It was really windy and gusty this morning with a NNE wind varying between 15 and 20 mph.

James set a first beat to 8 then 5, 9,4, A and back through the start.

Pursuit Race

There were 15 brave starters this morning and at the end of one lap early starter Emily (4.7) was still leading, with Karen (Radial) trying to close the gap. Dave & Ann (Leader) were next across the line but Darren (Laser) and Newton & Sam (RS200) nor far behind them. Richard S and Ralph both decided this was a game for soldiers as did Aileen and all three gracefully retired.

At the gun the final positions were –

1^st Darren; 2^nd Karen; 3^rd Newton & Sam; 4^th Emily; 5^th Jon (Laser); 6^th Dave & Ann.

Handicap Race

The three retirees decided enough was enough and sat the second race out, but Jewels decided to join the fray in her Mirror.

Darren was first back across the line nearly a minute ahead of Jon, who was followed closely by Laser 136028 (does anyone know the name of the helm?). Karen (Radial) was 4^th, not far ahead of Newton & Sam (RS200) with Adrian (Laser) about 30 seconds further back in 6^th place. Dave & Ann (Leader),Emily (4.7), Jewels (Mirror) and Mike T (Laser) were in a close battle for 7^th spot. Next to come through were Ron (Mirror) just ahead of Chris H (Comet) then quite a gap back to Paul W in his Morbic12.

On the second lap the first three were still the same (although 136028 had been disqualified for not going back though the start line). Newton passed Karen to move up to 4^th and Mike T got ahead of Jewels with no other movers. Chris H sailed on into the third lap unaware that he had also fallen foul of a start line infringement and Paul W received the gun.

At the end of the third lap Darren and Jon could not be separated as they crossed the line fighting for the lead. 136028 was still in 3^rd place but retired at the end of the lap (perhaps word had finally got through of the earlier infringement). The 4^th, 5^th and 6^th were still the same, but Mike T gained two more places to move up to 7^th place.

On the fourth lap Jon pulled away from Darren to cross the line two minutes ahead of him and Mike T gained another four places to move up to 3^rd.  There were no other changes and Chris H received the gun oblivious of his impending fate! The Mirrors of Jewels and Ron also received the gun at the end of this lap.

On the last lap Darren did close the gap to Jon, but not enough to stop him crossing the line a clear winner. Newton & Sam had rallied to regain 3^rd place by repassing Mike T. There were no other changes in position,  but Dave & Ann and Emily did well to complete the full distance not that far behind the faster ranked boats in front of them.

The finishing order on the water was –

1^st Jon; 2^nd Darren; 3^rd Newton & Sam; 4^th Mike T; 5^th Karen; 6^th Adrian

On corrected time this changes to –

1^st Jewels; 2^nd Jon; 3^rd Darren; 4^th Karen; 5^th Emily ; 6^th Ron

Well done to Jewels, a result which completely vindicates her decision to join the race!

Thanks to SOOD James and the team of Bea, Gareth and Peter.