Reading Sailing Club Members

Some shifty Force 3-4 winds in the Spring series today, once again from the North East.

An otherwise cold morning was helped by some sun that was welcomed by the numerous helms that found themselves in the water.

11 Boats took to the water for the Pursuit Race, with plenty of battles being fought. Darren finished first, having passed Newton in the second lap, who finished 2nd, both in Solos. A Solo lockout was prevented by Steve S in his Blaze, who starts last on Handicap, and subsequently made his way up through most of the fleet.

A similar story for the Handicap race, James C and Steve crossed the line several minutes ahead of the rest of the fleet in. James was demoted to 6th on Handicap, whilst Steve took the 3rd position.

Once again, the Solo’s proved dominant. Darren took the win, with Ralph slotting into 2nd.

Thanks to Adrian & Team for an eventful morning of racing, plenty to keep you busy.

The soup for this week was Leek and Potato, made by Dave.

We’re back again next week for some more Spring Series action. Make sure to come down and get some results on the board.

First races of the Spring Series today. Some great weather & a 9kt wind from the North East. 16 boats made it out for some great racing on a challenging course set by Aileen.

The pursuit race was won by Chris H in his comet, who had managed to pass Ron & hold off the Solos further back. The podium was completed by Newton & Darren; both in Solos.

Elsewhere in the fleet, there were several close battles being fought, mainly between the ILCAS.

The Handicap race had a hectic start, Steve S in his Blaze was over & had to cross back through the line. Despite this, Steve worked his way back up through the fleet to cross the line first. Newton, who had a great start and maintained the lead for much of the race, finished second. Hugh crossed the line third. On handicap, Steve was knocked of the podium and demoted to 9th. Newton was 1st overall, Hugh 2nd & Ralph 3rd. Once again, some close racing with boats finishing mere seconds apart.

Soup today was Sweet Potato & Coconut, made by Ann.

A big thank you to Aileen & her team for organising some great racing.

We’re back next week for some more of the Spring Series.

Perfect weather for the weekly Social sailing today.

Now I know what you’re thinking, those aren’t dinghies! Monday afternoons aren’t just for sailing, today was a mixture of paddling, boat maintenance and lots of tea, coffee and cake.

Social sailing takes place every Monday from 1-5pm and there’s no need to sign up. It’s a great chance to meet other members and go for a sail, sort your boat out or just socialise.

Sunday afternoon 11th June saw the first Junior Regatta of the year, it was sailed in very warm conditions but at least there was a gentle breeze! With a few missing due to injury, illness and overrunning cricket matches, 10 children took to the water in two fleets – Oppies and Toppers. 

Toppers started each race first and sailed several laps of a triangular course, with the Oppies starting two minutes later and sailing a slightly shorter triangular course with a shorter beat and a few less laps.

Fleur sailed extremely well to win all four Topper races! 

The Oppie fleet was a little more mixed. Race 1 saw all the Oppies quite close together initially before Milo took the lead and kept it to the end, Alex was ahead of Molly at the end of the first lap but she managed to overtake him before the end of the race, they were closely followed by Harry. 

Race 2 saw Milo racing ahead and opening a big lead, Molly was in 2nd place at the end of the first two laps but Oliver was slowly creeping up the fleet 4th at the end of the first lap, 3rd and the end of the second and 2nd by the end of the race with Molly finishing 3rd, closely followed by Alex. These four had sailed so well they lapped the rest of the fleet!

Race 3 saw Milo starting at a different end of the line to everyone else and just sailing away from the whole fleet! Everyone else was consistent with Oliver maintaining 2nd place throughout the race and likewise Alex in 3rd. Molly was usurped by younger brother Fergus, who despite only starting to sail this year took 4th place leaving her to take 5th.

Concentration was beginning to go, all the children were now very warm, and the course was changed slightly due to the wind shifting so Race 4 saw a few more position changes. This time Molly was the one to sail away from the rest of the fleet, keeping her 1st place to the end of the race. Fraser finished the 1st lap in 2nd place followed by Alex, but on the final lap Alex followed by Milo both managed to get past Fraser.

Karen presented the Junior Topper trophy to Fleur, with Rohan in 2nd place. The Junior Optimist Trophy was presented to Milo, with Molly in 2nd place and Alex in 3rd.

Huge thanks to Jess and Richard in the Committee boat running the races, and to Karen and Paul who were coaching where it was needed.

The Whitsun Pennant took place on bank holiday Monday 29^th May with some challenging conditions for the competing boats.  After three short races Darren was clearly the winner with three boats, Ralph, Mike T and Chris K, tying for second place. The RYA rules were applied providing the following                                                                                       finishing positions. 

1^st Darren (Radial)

2^nd Mike T (Laser)

3^rd Chris K (Radial)

The Spring Series came to a close on 21^st May after 12 closely contested races.  The results were as follows:-

SPRING PURSUIT –           1^st Chris H (Comet)

                                                2^nd Newton & Sam (RS 200)

                                                3^rd Karen (Comet)

SPRING HANDICAP          1st Chris H (Comet)

                                                2^nd Newton & Sam (RS 200)

                                                3^rd Aileen (Comet)

18 different classes of boat took part in this series with 8 Lasers, 4 Radials, 4 Comets, 2 RS200s, 2 Mirrors, 2 Toppers a Leader, Rooster, Aero7, Blaze, RS300, Morbic, 470, British Moth, Miracle, Solo, 4.7, and an Avon Scow.

Wednesday Evening Racing Commodore’s Cup

The 8 race series of the Commodores Cup came to an end on Wednesday 7^th June. 

Congratulations go to

1^st Emily (Laser Radial)

2^nd Newton & Sam (RS 200)

3^rd Chris H (Comet)

Sunday 5^th March saw the start of the Spring Series with the usual format of a pursuit race followed by a handicap race.

After two races, Steve Sharp-Blaze and Newton & Sam-RS200 are level on points in the Pursuit series  with  Chris H-Comet in third place.

In the Handicap series Steve was first across the finishing line in both races, but on corrected time the leader is Chris H with Newton & Sam in second place and Steve in third place.

It was good to see Paul Waterman back on the water in his Morbic after his recent health problems.

This series finished at the end of February with just five races sailed due to the vagaries of the weather and there were 24 competitors over the series.

The Pursuit series was won by Chris Kilshaw-Radial with Chris Hilson-Comet in second place and Darren Ballard-Laser in third.

The Handicap series was won by Newton Anthony & Sam Shears-RS200 with Chris Kilshaw in second and Chris Hilson third.

Aileen Moore was the only person to sail all five races, so well done to her.

Frostbite Series

There have now been four races with a steady increase in numbers. Last Sunday 19^th February there were 17 competitors.

The Pursuit race was won by Steve Sharp in his Blaze with Richard Stanley- Laser in second place and James Primrose Laser in third. Overall, Chris Hilson-Comet is leading the series with Chris Kilshaw Radial in second place and Darren Ballard Laser in third place.

The Handicap race was won by Richard Stanley with Newton Anthony & Sam Shears in the RS200 coming in second and Mark in an Aero 7 in third place. This series is led by Newton & Sam with Chris and Darren lying second and third.