Reading Sailing Club Members

Apologies – I need to correct the corrected time!

I gave the order as – 1^st Chris H; 2^nd Ellen; 3^rd Hugh; 4^th Mike Tr; 5^th Jemima; 6^th Curtis

Unfortunately, when I made the calculation, I used the old RYA PN Number for the Oppie 1665 instead of the new number 1642.

This means that the first four remain the same, but Curtis was 5^th and Dave & Ann were 6^th with Jemima down to 7^th.

Sorry Jemima! i

It was shorts and T shirts tonight for most, as it was warm and sunny with a light wind (about 8 mph) from the SSW. Newton set the first mark as A (down past Tektona in the middle of the lake), then 2, 9, 6,7 and back through the start.

There were 20 starters and the Lasers of Mark and Mike Tr were a little over eager and across the line when the horn sounded, so both had to restart.

Ellen (Laser) was first back across the line followed 30 seconds later by Hugh in another Laser. It was over a minute before Dave & Ann (Leader) crossed in 3^rd place and they were just ahead of Curtis and Mike Tr in another two Lasers. There was a slight gap before Chris A (Solo) and Chris H (Comet) came along battling for 6^th place with a tight group close behind them led by Richard H (Laser) then Mike A (Lightning), Sally & Mike N (Leader), Paul H (Laser) and Mark (Laser). Then a minute later Rick (Laser) came through on his own in 13^th place with Emily & Eidra (Feva) another minute further back and only just ahead of Alicia (Radial). Another minute later Jemima (Oppie) crossed in 16^th  place closely followed by Chris & Carol in their Sport 14 and they were about 30 seconds ahead of Ron (Mirror), Sam (Radial) and Chris S (Laser), who was having his first outing for some time (good to see you back on the water Chris).  

At the end of the second lap Ellen and Hugh were still ahead, but Curtis and Mike Tr had passed Dave & Ann pushing them down to 5^th but they were all still very close on the water. No change with the two Chris’s, but Mark had gained four places to move up to 8^th and the four boats behind him were enjoying a close battle, which was being joined by Rick. Emily & Eidra were steady in 14^th place but Chris S had gained five places to move to 15^th.  Sam was up to 16^th just ahead of Jemima in 17^th with Ron, Chris & Carol and Alicia behind them.

The two leaders crossed the finish line well ahead of Mike Tr, who just got the better of Curtis to take 3rd spot. Mark had gained another three places to finish 5^th with Dave & Ann 6^th. Chris H and Richard H managed to pass Chris A to finish 7^th and 8^th with Mike A just pipping Paul H for 10^th. Rick gained a place by passing Sally & Mike to take 12^th place and Chris S gained another place to move to 14^th. Alicia regained five places to finish 15^th with Emily & Eidra 16^th ahead of Sam in 17^th. Chris & Carol repassed Ron and they both got past Jemima. It was a pleasant evening of sailing with close battles and lots of overtaking all through the fleet.

The final order on the water was – 1^st Ellen; 2^nd Hugh; 3^rd Mike Tr; 4^th Curtis; 5^th Mark; 6^th Dave & Ann

Corrected time produces a few changes with the order – 1^st Chris H; 2^nd Ellen; 3^rd Hugh; 4^th Mike Tr; 5^th Jemima; 6^th Curtis

Thanks to Newton and the OOD Team of Ben E, Bob H, Dean, Jill G and Monica.   

It was a fair wind this morning, 12-14 mph from the SW. Mark set the first mark as 5 then 9, 3, 2, 6, 7 and back through the start.

Pursuit Race

12 starters and at the end of the first lap the early starters were still ahead with Ron (Mirror) leading from Chris H (Comet), Dave & Ann (Leader), Sally & Mike (Leader) and Chris A (Solo) with the RS200s of Paul & Nev and Newton & Ellen chasing them.

At the gun the order was – 1^st Simon (Blaze); 2^nd Ron; 3^rd Jon (Laser); 4^th Chris H; 5^th Dave & Ann (Leader) 6^th Sally & Mike (Leader)

Handicap Race

Everyone started the second race and Simon was first back through the line a minute ahead of Ellen & Newton, who were only just ahead of Jon in 3^rd place, who in turn was closely followed by Paul & Nev and James (Laser). A minute later Chris A and Dave & Ann crossed the line together battling for 6^th place. Then came Chris H and Rick (Laser) with only a second between them with Mike & Sally not far behind and bringing up the rear of the fleet were Alistair S (Laser) and Ron (Mirror).

At the end of the second lap Simon had increased his lead to three minutes and Jon and Paul & Nev had passed Ellen & Newton. James, Chris A and Dave & Ann had maintained station, but Rick had gained one place to move to 8^th and Alistair two places up to 9th. Ron received the gun at the end of this lap.

At the finish Simon and Jon retained 1^st and 2^nd positions, but Ellen & Newton had regained third place. James claimed 4^th spot from Paul & Nev. Rick gained another place by passing Dave & Ann to finish in his favourite position of 7^th (well not actually his favourite – he would prefer 1^st!). Chris H also regained a place by repassing Alistair.

The final order on the water was – 1^st Simon; 2^nd Jon; 3^rd Ellen & Newton; 4^th James; 5^th Paul & Nev; 6^th Chris A

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Simon; 2^nd Jon; 3^rd Ron; 4^th Ellen & Newton; 5^th James; 6^th Chris H

Thanks to Mark and the OOD Team of Chris S, Loti, Richard C and Roland L

Another pleasant evening with a light SW wind of about 8 mph. Ellen set the first mark as A (somewhere near Tektona – at a guess – can’t see that far!) then 9, 3, 2, 5, 7 and back through the start.

It was another good turn out with 18 starters and Dave & Ann (Leader) were first back across the line with Mark (Laser) in 2^nd place some 30 seconds behind them. Will (Radial) was going well in 3^rd place but the following boats were all close to one another with Nigel L (Laser) leading the procession of Dean & Nick (Vago), Curtis (Laser), Jon (Laser), Paul H (Laser), Joe (Radial) and Chris H (Comet) without any room to swing a seal between them (sounds a bit more nautical than a cat!). Then there was a huge gap (for tonight) of one minute before Chris A crossed in his Solo, aptly named as he was nearly two minutes ahead of next man Mike T (Laser), who in turn was 20 seconds ahead of Rhys (4.7) and Ron (Mirror), then the girls at the back were even more spaced out with Jemima (Oppie) ahead of Emily (Topper) , Phoebe (Oppie) and then Levi (Oppie).

Second lap and no change in the 1,2,3, but Dean & Nick moved up to 4^th with Jon up to 5^th, Chris H up to 7^th and Chris A up to 8th. Further back Ron passed Rhys. Emily received the gun at the end of this lap and Phoebe and Levi had decided to come in for refreshments earlier on.

The third lap was the last and Mark B had found the booster button and pulled out a lead of nearly two minutes on Dave & Ann, and Dean & Nick gained another place to finish 3^rd. Further back Chris H gained two places to 5^th and Chris A, Paul H, Rhys, Ron and Jemima all gained a place due to the retirement of Curtis.   

The final order on the water was – 1^st Mark; 2^nd Dave & Ann; 3^rd Dean & Nick; 4^th Will; 5^th Chris H; 6^th Nigel L

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Jemima; 2^nd Dave & Ann; 3^rd Chris H; 4^th Mark; 5^th Ron; 6^th Will

Thanks to Ellen and the OOD Team of Ken, Ralph, Sally and Sam

It was quite a light wind this morning, about 5-8mph from the Ne, but shifting considerably. Mike T used a Tektona start with a first mark A then 5, 3, 2, 4 and back through the start.

Pursuit Race

There were 12 starters and first away was Lucy in her Topper followed by Chris H (Comet) then Chris A (Solo) and Sally & Mike (Leader). At the end of the first lap Chris H was leading with Newton &Ellen (RS200) up to 2^nd with Chris A 3^rd and the Lasers of Jess, Jon, Thomas, Rick and John W following. At the gun the final positions were –

1^st Newton & Ellen; 2^nd Chris H; 3^rd Jon; 4^th Jess; 5^th Paul & Nev (RS200); 6^th Chris A

Handicap Race

For the second race, Lucy dropped out, but Joe joined in, so the numbers remained the same.

In the light shifty conditions, there were only two laps and at the end of the first Jess was leading Jon by one minute with Adrian in 3^rd, just ahead of Ellen & Newton. Rick came through in 4^th closely followed by Paul & Nev and Joe (Laser). Chris A, Chris H and Sally & Mike crossed the line in a tight group with John W and Thomas a further 30 seconds back.

Jess held on to her lead and crossed the finish in 1^st place with no change in the next three positions. Paul & Nev leapfrogged Rick to cross in 5^th place and Chris A got past Joe to take 7^th. There were no other changes in position, so the finishing order was – 1^st Jess; 2^nd Jon; 3^rd Adrian; 4^th Ellen & Newton; 5^th Paul & Nev; 6^th Rick   

On corrected time the order changes to – 1^st Jess; 2^nd Jon; 3^rd Chris H; 4^thllen & Newton; 5^th Chris A; 6^th Adrian

Thanks to Mike T and the OOD Team of Jan & Paul H, Phil M and Stuart

7th July Cup Race 2019

It was a lovely morning with a light 7-8 mph ENE wind, as Karen the SOOD for the day commented “Perfect conditions – always is – when I’m not racing!”  First mark was A (between 5 and 8, but closer to 8) then 5, 2, 4, 3 and back through the start.

There were 13 starters and four laps and Ellen & Newton (RS200) led from start to finish with Adrian (Rooster) chasing them in 2^nd place throughout the race.

As the start gun went Paul & Nev (RS200) were seen doing turns after a coming together with James (I think) and at the end of the lap James (Laser) came through in 3^rd place ahead of Jon in another Laser. Chris H (Comet) was 5^th not far ahead of Dean & Nick (Vago), who crossed the line overlapped by Mike & Sally N (Leader). Rick (Laser) crossed in 8^th place only just ahead of Paul & Nev, who were recovering from their start line mishap.  Chris A (out in the only Solo) was next along well ahead of Ron and Dave P in Mirrors and Cecilia in her Radial.

On the second lap, Jon moved up one place to 3^th and Paul &Nev were up five places to 4^th pushing James down to 5^th and the only other mover was Rick gaining two places to move to 8^th spot.

By the end of the third lap Paul & Nev had passed Jon to move up to 3^rd place and Dean & Nick were up two places to 5^th position. Further back Chris A had moved up to 9^th passing Mike & Sally. Dave P and Cecila received the gun at the end of this lap.

On the last lap there was no change in order for the first five, but James regained a place passing Rick to cross the line in 6^th place and this was the only change in position. The final order on the water was – 1^st Newton & Ellen; 2^nd Adrian; 3^rd Paul & Nev; 4^th Jon; 5^th Dean & Nick; 6^th James

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Newton & Ellen; 2^nd Ron; 3^rd Chris H; 4^th Adrian; 5^th Jon; 6^th Paul & Nev

Congratulations to cup winners Newton & Ellen and thanks to Karen and the OOD Team of Ferdinando, Roland L and Stuart.

It was another lovely Wednesday evening with a light wind 7-10 mph from the SW. Rick decided to keep the course to himself in case he wants to use it again, but it must have been fairly short as they got four laps in!

At the end of the first lap Karen crossed the line just ahead of Ellen, both in Lasers. It was 90 seconds before Mark (Laser) crossed in 3^rd place nor far ahead of Newton and Steve in Solos. John H (Laser) and Curtis (Laser) crossed together just in front of Dave & Ann (Leader) with Nigel and Hugh in two more Lasers on their transom.  About 20 seconds later along came Jeremy (Laser), Chris H (Comet), Sally & Stuart (Leader) and Paul H (Laser) battling for 11^th spot and they were about 20 seconds ahead of Chris & Carol in their Sport 14. It was another minute before Dean & Nick (Vago) hove into view and they were about 30 seconds ahead of Alicia (Radial), Rhys (4.7) and Ron in his Mirror. Then there was quite a gap back to Jemima in her Oppie who was having a good battle with Katie in her Topper and bringing up the rear was Rich in his Wanderer.

On the second lap, no change in the first four, but Curtis had moved up two places to 5^th and Hugh was up four places to 6^th (family fireworks coming up!). Nigel had passed Dave & Ann to move up to 8^th and Dean & Nick had passed Chris & Carol to gain a place and Rich retired on this lap.

Again, no change in the first four on the third lap, but Hugh had passed Curtis to take 5^th place and John H moved up four places to 7^th. Further back Paul H gained a place by passing Sally & Stuart and Katie had passed Jemima. Rhys, Ron, Katie and Jemima all received the finish gun at the end of the lap.

Still no change in the positions of the first four on this last lap, but guess what Curtis had repassed Hugh!  Nigel and Dave & Ann crossed the line together for an equal 8^th spot and Dean & Nick made up one more place, passing Sally & Stuart. The final order on the water was –

1^st Karen; 2^nd Ellen; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Newton; 5^th Curtis; 6^th Hugh

On corrected time this will become –

1^st Jemima; 2^nd Karen; 3^rd Ellen; 4^th Newton; 5^th Mark; 6^th Chris H

Thanks to Rick and the OOD Team, but unfortunately none of their names was entered on the race sheet. (OODs make sure you get your names on the sheet or you might be allocated another duty – not that is any great hardship on a nice sunny evening!)

I think the rota had Ann, Bob L, Cecilia and Caroline G – so thank you if you turned out.

Quite windy this morning with a WSW blowing 12-16 mph, which enabled Richard S to set a long beat down to 3 then2, 4, 8, 6, 7 and back through the start. We had a new fleet this morning (well a small fleet of two!), when Paul & Nev turned out in a RS200.

Pursuit Race

There were 15 starters, but we lost Dean & Nick (Vago) on the first lap, not sure of the reason for their early departure. Early starter Ron (Mirror) was first back across the line with Phoebe (Oppie) still hanging on to 2^nd place, but Paul & Nev were fast approaching with Mark (Laser) behind them. Dave & Ann (Leader) were managing to stay ahead of the chasing pack, but their rear view mirror was full of the second RS200 with Newton & Ellen on board. At the gun the order was –

1^st Paul & Nev; 2^nd Newton & Ellen; 3^rd Dave & Ann; 4^th Jon (Laser); 5^th Karen (Laser); 6^th Adrian (Rooster)

Handicap Race

The fleet was down to 12 for the second race as Dean & Nick did not reappear and Jamie H decide to sit this one out. It was still very windy and turned out to be a two-lap affair.

First back through the line were Paul & Nev closely followed by the other RS200 of Ellen & Newton with Dave & Ann going well in the windy conditions in 3^rd place. Not something you see very often with the three leading boats all being double handers. Adrian came through in 4^th place just ahead of Karen, who was only 10 seconds ahead of Rick in another Laser.  Mark was 7^th with Jon and Chris H (Comet) battling for 8^th place. Two minutes later Ron crossed in a lonely 10^th place as he in turn was about two minutes ahead of Emily (Topper) with Phoebe gamely battling on at the rear of the fleet and receiving the gun at the end of the lap.

Only 20 seconds between the two RS200s at the finish, but Paul & Nev had kept their nose in front to take the victory. There was a bit of shuffling about behind them for the next places with Adrian gaining one place to move to 3^rd and Mark gaining three places up to 4^th. Jon passed Rick to move up a place, but the order of the first six was –

1^st Paul & Nev; 2^nd Ellen & Newton; 3^rd Adrian; 4^th Mark; 5^th Karen; 6^th Dave & Ann.

On corrected time the first two keep their positions, but Mark moves up to 3^rd with Dave & Ann 4th and Adrian and Ron were equal 5^th.

Thanks to Richard S and the OOD Team of Andrew & Son, Chris, Issy, Roland L and Sam.

It was a lovely evening tonight; the sun was out and there was a light 8-10 mph from the N (well swinging NW to NE). Mike A used a Tektona start with a first beat to A (middle of the lake our from 8) then 5, 2, 4 and back through the start.

Mike Tr (Laser) got a flyer and led Hugh (Laser) by 30 seconds at the end of the first lap. Karen (Laser) was 3^rd, not far ahead of Mark (Laser) who was 20 seconds ahead of Chris H (Comet) and Dean & Nick (Vago). Rick (Laser) came through on his own in 7^th place (he seems to like that position) with Chris A (Solo) about 20 seconds further back with Dave & Ann (Leader), Richard H (Laser), Mike T (Laser), and Sally & Stuart (Leader) in a close group just behind him. A minute later Ron came steaming through in his Mirror taking tactical advice from Tahlia his granddaughter (Why did you do that? Does waggling that make any difference?) Adrian (Vago s/h) was close behind trying to pick up some tips!   Jemima the ace Oppie sailor was next across the line followed a minute later by Chris & Carol in their Sport 14, but without Alfie to give them some woof idea of what to do next.

At the rear of the fleet Rich F (Wanderer s/h) and Phoebe (Oppie) were enjoying their own battle.

By the end of the second lap Mike had increased his lead and Karen had passed Hugh to move up to 2^nd place. Dean & Nick moved up two places, just pipping Mark across the line having earlier got past Chris H. Rick was still 7^th, but he had lost his kicker (boom fitting sheared off). No change in 8^th, 9^th and 10^th places, but Sally & Stuart had got ahead of Mike T to move up a place. Adrian moved up a place by passing Ron & Tahlia and Chris & Carol moved up a place by passing Jemima.

No change with the first two on the third lap but Mark gained two places by passing Hugh and Dean & Nick, but they retained 4^th place as they also passed Hugh (can you follow that?). Chris H was steady in 6^th place and Rick was still 7^th, but his hat blew off! Fortunately, he had just lapped Phoebe who was coming in to finish her second lap and she very kindly retrieved it for him. Phoebe received the gun at the end of her lap in appreciation of her selfless act. Chris A, Dave & Ann and Richard H were maintaining 8^th, 9^th and 10^th positions and the only change behind them was Jemima retaking Chris & Carol.  Jemima, Chris & Carol and Rich F all received the finish gun at the end of this lap.

At the end of the fourth and last lap the first six remained in the same order. Rick was still 7^th, but his   

knicker string was now drooping badly (we thought the moon had come out ! – no sorry it was his kicker string). At last in the middle of the fleet there was some movement as Dave & Ann had passed Chris A to move up to 8^th and Richard H had disappeared after a slight contretemps with Sally & Stuart around A, then he went for an early beer and Mike T pipped the Leader over the line by a whisker. Adrian had suddenly got going and had caught Ron and crossed the line four minutes ahead of him (looks like he found the weed brake).   

The final order was – 1^st Mike Tr; 2^nd Karen; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Dean & Nick; 5^th Hugh; 6^th Chris H

On corrected time we have a tie for first place between Mike Tr and Jemima with Chris H moving up to 3^rd, Karen down to 4^th, Ron & Tahlia up to 5^th and Mark down to 6^th.

It’s all ups and downs at RSC!

Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Monica, Carlo, Nigel L, Phil M and Steve D (who stepped in at the last minute).

The Thames Valley Challenge is a three boat junior team racing event sailed in RS Fevas. It is an exciting Junior competition between clubs from local sailing clubs and schools.

This year a team from Reading SC Youth and Juniors won the Thames Valley Challenge team racing event on Saturday 29^th June at Silverwings SC.

8 races were sailed with Reading SC winning 7 of them! A very hot day but with perfect wind after the first race which was a drifter.

Our young sailors were Ben, Rhys, Emily, Katie, Thomas, Lucy and Phoebe. 

Karen’s own words express it best –

OMG! We won!!!! So proud of you all, you were a credit to the club.  

Your behaviour on the water was exemplary and you sailed well. A few silly mistakes but you obviously learnt from them as the day went on because you got better and better and truly deserved the win.

You are all truly a credit to Reading SC. 

Hugh, Suzi, Sam, Andrew, Deb, John thank you so much for your support today I couldn’t have done it without you. 

Well done to you all and thanks to the parents and for supporting them.

Karen

James our Commodore adds –

My congratulations to the Reading Team, the coaches Karen and Hugh and the supporters for the fabulous Thames Valley Challenge 1st place win at Sliverwings yesterday.  Just reward for all those hours of practice. 

This is a proud moment for Reading Sailing Club, and we all join in congratulating Karen and her team and our young sailors.

Very well done to all of you.