4 Morbics from across the country descended on Reading for their annual “Capsize Party”. It’s a great chance for the fleet to meet and exchange ideas and techniques, although from experience, the hardest part isn’t the capsize, it’s getting back in again! It’s important to practice as the Morbic is a popular boat for solo adventures, commonly called Raiding. There’s often no safety cover so being self sufficient is a must.
A big thank you to Paul W for organising a great event. You can find out more about the Morbic, and the class by visiting: https://mymorbic.uk/
13 Youth & Juniors turned out for a practice session at the weekend.
All groups focused on sailing upwind efficiently and finished with some short races.
A big thank you to Hugh, Will P & Will S for organising & running the session. Thanks also go to the parent helpers for their assistance on shore, including keeping all the juniors warm with plenty of hot chocolate.
A nice force 3 wind for the latest rounds of the Cobley series on Sunday.
19 boats made it out for the pursuit race, with Paul W (Morbic) setting off first, followed by the rest of the fleet.
There was action right at the start line, as Will P (ILCA6) snapped his mast, causing his retirement.
Will S (ILCA6) & Newton (Solo) got ahead of the rest of the fleet, and had a close battle for much of the race. Hugh (ILCA7) was just behind, with Ralph (Solo), Richard S (ILCA6) & James P (ILCA7) all having a close battle together.
At the finish gun, Will S was 1st, with Newton 2nd & Hugh 3rd.
The Handicap race had a hectic start, with all 17 boats jostling for position. Despite a port end bias, most boats chose to start at the starboard end. The wind favoured heading towards the Buoy line and Richard G (Aero7) & Hugh got ahead at the windward mark.
Richard stayed ahead but Hugh was passed by both Newton & Will S.
Further back, James P, Richard S, Mark B (Aero7) & Steve and Rick (RS200) were all having a close fight before James managed to get ahead.
On the subsequent laps, Richard G maintained his lead, but Hugh managed to pass both Will S & Newton.
Richard G crossed the line first, with Hugh 2nd & Newton 3rd.
On Handicap, Will S finished 1st, with Newton 2nd & Hugh 3rd.
A big thank you to Ralph & his team for running the racing on Sunday.
We’re back on Sunday for the next rounds of the Cobley Series.
20 boats made it out for the two minutes silence which preceded the starting sequence. A starboard end bias meant that there was a close start line, with Richard G (AERO7) infringing Hugh (ILCA7) & Richard W infringing James P (Both ILCA7). Riccardo (ILCA6) has a fantastic start but got caught out by a wind shift.
Hugh was the first to the windward mark, followed by Steve & Rick (RS200) & James P.
Hugh managed to build a gap & remained ahead for the rest of the race. Further back, James P, Steve & Rick and Jess (ILCA7) were having a close battle to round out the podium places. Elsewhere throughout the course, most boats had someone to race with giving some great battles.
After an 8 lap slog, Hugh crossed the line first, with James P 2nd & Jess 3rd.
On handicap, Hugh finished first, with Chris H (Comet) 2nd & James P 3rd.
A big thank you to Ian H & his team for organising the racing on Sunday.
After the race, there was Sausage & Bean stew, followed by crumble. Made by Ann.
We’re back on Sunday for the next rounds of the Cobley Series.
Very little wind for the Pink Fleet Race on Saturday, but that didn’t stop plenty of members turning out in the sunshine. After the traditional breakfast and race(drift), this month’s Pink Fleet cup was awarded to Cigdem. The usual round of disqualifications were issued, including for the Jolly Sailor for not turning up!
A big thanks to Monica & Brian for organising.
Pink fleet is the 2nd Saturday of every month, with the next one on the 8th December.
November 23rd sees the return of SOUP ON SUNDAYS. Stay after the race for a warming bowl of homemade soup and bread while discussing the events of the mornings race, Cost £2
A lovely force 4 with some strong gusts for the latest rounds of the Cobley series on Sunday.
13 boats made it out for the pursuit race, with Paul W setting off first in his Morbic, followed by the rest of the fleet. There was action at the windward mark, with Dave & Ann (Leader) & the two Solos of Darren and Newton making contact. (There was a lot of discussion about the racing rules afterwards).
This action helped Will S (ILCA6) take the lead of the race, but the rest of the fleet was close behind, with Rick, Adrian F (Both ILCA7) and Dave & Ann all having a close battle with eachother.
Mark B (AERO7) meanwhile was making his way up the fleet and was just behind the Solos.
On the final lap, Mark managed to pass the Solos who were having a close fight on the run. At the finish gun, Will finished first, with Mark 2nd & Newton 3rd.
Several boats returned to the shore & the wind eased slightly, leaving 10 boats for the Handicap.
The racing was tight as the fleet neared the leeward mark, almost completely hidden at Buoy 1. Rick got hit with a gust and managed to avoid a collision with most of the fleet, but the delay pushed him back down the order.
Newton had an early advantage over both Darren & Will, who was ahead for the first lap. Newton subsequently hit the windward buoy, and lost out on a place to Darren. Once again, both Darren and Newton became embroiled in a fight on the run, allowing Will to pass them on lap 3.
Elsewhere, Rick had caught up with Adrian and Dave & Ann, and were having a close battle in the midflet.
Will crossed the line 1st, with Darren 2nd & Newton 3rd. The positions remain unchanged after Handicap.
We’re now over halfway through the series, with Newton leading the Pursuit & Will leading the Handicap.
A big thank you to Aileen and her team for running the racing on Sunday.
After the race, there were bacon rolls made by Ann.
We’re back on Wednesday for the next rounds of the Cobley Series.
Four of the Youth and Juniors took part in the Junior Competition at the Eric Twiname Team Racing Championships over the weekend of 11/12th October.
Teams from around the country descended on Oxford Sailing Club for what was supposed to be two days of exciting and competitive team racing action. The Junior competition is raced in the RS Feva with each team having two boats per team. Boats are provided and teams change in and out of boats throughout the weekend while following a schedule of races which will ultimately determine the winners.
Unfortunately the weather did not play the game! Saturday was spent sitting on the side of the reservoir waiting for the wind. An attempt was made at racing but was abandoned after only 6 races being sailed, unfortunately none of which included the Reading Team.
Optimistic for Sunday we all arrived bright and early to be greeted with fog! Another morning sitting on the side of the reservoir but this time the girls were prepared and had bought their homework with them, the boys were glued to their phones but it definitely wasn’t homework they were doing!
Finally with much excitement the fog cleared and soon after, around midday, the wind filled in and racing commenced. Another 54 races were completed before 4pm each team participating in 6 races.
Dubious umpire decisions (according to one of the helms) and races against some of the top teams were a challenge for the Reading sailors but they sailed extremely well and were in with a chance in all of their races. They took the win against Seaford Blue with a 1,2 and also had a 1,4 against Derbyshire which although a loss was a great achievement.
Well done to the team – Will, Ilya, Phoebe and Molly and thanks to the parents and Karen for supporting them at the event.
