Reading Sailing Club Members

It was quite blustery this morning with a NW wind of 15 – 20 mph. James set a first beat to X, then 5, 8, 4, 3, 2 and back through the start.

Pursuit
There were 13 starters and it was certainly unlucky for some of them as a number went over in the blustery conditions. At the end of the first lap early starter Dave P (Mirror) was still leading followed by the other early starters of Rhys (Topper) and Chris H (Comet), however by the time the finish gun went the maelstrom maestro JC (Laser) had come through to take the victory. Marczin retired, but everyone else managed to last the distance (well the time actually!)
The final order was –
1st Jon C; 2nd Dave & Ann: 3rd Mike Tr; 4th Newton & Ellen; 5th Chris H; 6th Rhys

Handicap
Down to 12 for the second race and Dave P (Mirror) and Olivia (Topper) both retired on the first lap.
First back through the line were Ellen & Newton (RS200) just in front of Jon (Laser) and these were some 30 seconds ahead of Dave & Ann (Leader) in 3rd place. Gareth (Laser) and Mike Tr (Laser) were battling for 4th spot and they crossed right behind Dave & Ann. About 30 seconds later Dean & Nick (Vago) came through in 6th place about one minute ahead of Chris H (Comet) and Adrian (Vago s/h) with Mike C (Wanderer) some way behind them. Finally battling bravely on came Rhys in his Topper in 10th place.

By the end of the second lap Jon had taken 1st place and Gareth and Mike Tr had passed Dave & Ann to move up to 3rd and 4th. There were no further changes in order, but Rhys received the gun at the end of the lap.

At the end of the third and last lap Jon had increased his lead, crossing the line a minute ahead of Ellen & Newton. Gareth was still 3rd, but Mike Tr must have had an incident as both Dave & Ann and Dean & Nick had got past him. Chris was still ploughing along in 7th followed at intervals by Adrian and Mike C .

Final positions on the water were –
1st Jon; 2nd Ellen & Newton; 3rd Gareth; 4th Dave & Ann; 5th Dean & Nick; 6th Mike Tr

On handicap the first two retain their positions, but Dave & Ann move up to 3rd and Chris H up to 4th pushing Gareth down to 4th and Dean & Nick down to 6th.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Bea, Ralph and Rick.

It was quite pleasant this morning with a light 5-6 mph WSW wind. Richard S set a first beat down to 3, then 2, 4, 8, 5,6, 7 and back through the start.

Pursuit
There were 24 starters, the highest turn out so far in the Cobley series. With a fairly long course the race was virtually a one lap affair and at the gun Chris H took the victory.
The finishing order was –
1st Chris H -Comet; 2nd Newton & Ellen -RS200; 3rd Mike Tr – Laser; 4th Dave P – National 12; 5th Ralph – Laser; 6th Nev – Comet

Handicap
Everyone started the second race although Phoebe in her Oppie retired before the end of the first lap.
First back through the line were Ellen & Newton followed by the three Lasers of James, Hugh, and Ralph. This group were about 30 seconds ahead of Dave P (National 12) who in turn was about 30 seconds ahead of Chris H (Comet). Then there was a slight gap back to another three Lasers, Mike Tr, Curtis and Alistair S who were having a good battle. Next through were Dave & Ann (Leader) in close company with Will (Radial) and these were followed by Rick and Mike A (Lasers) who were enjoying their own tussle. Mike T (Laser) was next across the line just ahead of Mike C (Wanderer) and they were followed by Nev (Comet) and Frantz (Laser). Then along came Adrian (Vago s/h) who was about one minute ahead of Sam (Laser) who was a further minute ahead of Cecilia (Radial) and finally were the three Toppers of Rhys, Emily and Olivia.

With the lightish wind there was only time for a further lap and Ellen & Newton received the gun as they crossed the line in 1st place. Hugh and Ralph had moved up to 2nd and 3rd by passing James and Mike Tr had got past Chris to move up to 6th. Mike A moved up four places to 9th, although he was lucky to spot a wind shift and passed Rick, Will, Alistair and Dave & Ann in sight of the line! Mike C gained a place by passing Mike T and Adrian got past Nev. The fleet behind them all gained a place when Frantz retired.

The final order on the water was –
1st Ellen & Newton; 2nd Hugh; 3rd Ralph; 4th James; 5th Dave P; 6th Mike Tr

On handicap the first three retain their positions, but Dave P moves up to 4th and Chris H to 5th pushing James down to 6th.

Thanks to Richards S and the OOD Team of Johns Harrison and Hayes, Marg N and Mark D.

This was virtually a re-run of 23rd September with heavy rain and a light wind with the same result, there were only five starters. Adrian used a short course for the first race of X, 9, 6, 8.7 and back through the start.

Pursuit
Ron led for three laps in his Mirror then was overtaken by Chris H (Comet), but then they both retired leaving Mike Tr to take the victory with James 2nd and Rick 3rd.

Handicap
Adrian tweeked the course using 6, 9, 5, 7, 8, St.
In the handicap race the order remained exactly the same for all four laps and the final positions were 1st Mike Tr; 2nd James 3rd Rick; 4th Chris H. Ron retired on the first lap.

On handicap Mike Tr keeps his first place, but Chris H moves up to 2nd place pushing James and Rick down one place

Thanks to Adrian and the OOD Team of Jerry, Pat G and Will.

James was SOOD this morning and boosted his OOD Team with son Rhys and daughter Bea.

Pursuit
There were 15 starters and a fairly light West wind favoured the early starters and in fact the first boats through the line were still in the same positions at the 35 minute gun. The final positions were –
1st Chris H – Comet; 2nd Karen – Radial; 3rd Chris A – Solo; 4th Sally – Comet; 5th Newton & Ellen – RS200; 6th Richards S – Laser

Handicap
Olivia who had finished a creditable 12th in the first race decided not to participate in the handicap race, but she was the only non-starter.
Mike Tr (Laser) was first back through the line some 30 seconds ahead of Bill (K1), who was nearly a minute ahead of Ellen & Newton (RS200), then after another minute Rick (Laser) crossed in 4th place.
The next four boats were very close together with Richard S (Laser) just ahead of Chris H (Comet), Mark (Laser) and Karen (Radial). Alistair S (Laser) and Sally (Comet) crossed the line together, not far ahead of Adrian (Vago s/h) and Frantz (Laser), followed 10 seconds later by Paul H Supernova) and Mike C (Wanderer).

At the end of the second lap Mike Tr led, but Ellen & Newton had moved up to 2nd place by passing Bill. Rick was still 4th but Mark had got past Chris and Richard to move up to 5th. Further back Adrian had gained two places and Frantz and Mike C both gained one place.

On the third lap the two leaders had not changed, but Richard S had gained three places to move up to 3rd with Mark up to 4th. Chris H moved up one place to 6th. Alistair gained two places to 8th and Mike C gained four places to 9th. Bill retired on this lap and Alistair, Mike C, Frantz, Adrian and Sally were given the finish gun.

On the last lap Ellen & Newton regained 1st place from Mike Tr, but the only change behind them was Karen getting past Chris H.
The final order on the water was –
1st Ellen & Newton; 2nd Mike Tr, 3rd Richards S; 4th Mark; 5th Rick; 6th Karen.

On handicap the first three retain their positions, but Mike C moves up to 4th with Mark 5th and Chris H up to 6th.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Bea, Bob H, Chris B, Gareth, Jess B and Rhys.

This morning was cloudy with sunny spells and a WNW wind varying from 5 to 10 mph. Peter S used a Tektona start with the first mark as X (towards 2) then 3, 2, 5, 9, 6 and back through the start.

Pursuit
At the end of the first lap the early starters were still ahead with Chris H and Nev in Comets leading followed by Mike C (Wanderer), Bea (Oppie) and Chris A (Solo). Karen (Radial) came through next followed by the Laser pack.
At the gun no-one had managed to get past the Comets, but the Lasers were up amongst the rest of the fleet. The final positions were –
1st Chris H – Comet; 2nd Nev – Comet; 3rd Mike Tr – Laser; 4th James – Laser; 5th Karen – Radial; 6th Richard S – Laser.

Handicap
Dean & Nick decided not to contest the second race which left 17 starters. The wind had increased slightly and changed direction, so Peter changed the start line and the position of X (up near the buoy line between 4 and 5) but kept the rest of the course unchanged.

It was one of those mornings where all the boats maintained their position for most of the race. At the end of the first lap the first four boats were Lasers led by James then Mike Tr, Richard S and Mark B with small gaps between all of them. Karen (Radial) came though in 5th place then Mike A (Laser), Jess B (Radial) and Rhys (Laser) were very close together with Dave P (National 12) not far behind them. The next four boats Mike C (Wanderer), Nev (Comet) Chris H (Comet)and Adrian (Vago s/h) were evenly spaced. There was a long gap back to the next boat, which was Sam (Laser) and she was about one minute ahead of Chris A (Solo) and then there was another five minutes before Emily (Topper) and Bea (Oppie) came along. Bea received the finish gun at the end of her first lap.

On the second lap James increased his lead slightly at the front but there was no change in position for the following seven boats. Dave P and Mike C crossed the line together battling for 9th place, but behind them the only change was Chris A catching and passing Sam. Emily received the gun at the end of this lap.

At the end of the third and last lap the order remained the same for the first 10 boats, Dave P just nudging ahead of Mike C to take 9th spot. Further back Chris H and Adrian just got past Nev to each gain a place. It was remarkable that although there were some good battles through the fleet, the actual order hardly changed.

The final order on the water was –
1st James; 2nd Mike Tr; 3rd Richard S; 4th Mark; 5th Karen; 6th Mike A

On handicap James keeps his 1st place, but Karen moves up from 5th to 2nd. Mike C should take 3rd place with Mike Tr dropping to 4th, Chris H up to 5th and Richards S down to 6th.

Thanks to Peter S and the OOD Team of Carlo, Ferdinando, Mike T and Paul W.

Oh, what a beautiful morning ! It was pouring down – some of us, well most of us actually, looked out of the bedroom window and opted for a cup of tea in bed. Poor Richard S did not have that luxury as he was SOOD.
The race nearly did not take place as at 09.45 there were only two sailors and three were needed to make it a goer (technical term to denote the feasibility of running the race was rapidly receding).
The OOD Team had turned the lights off and were about to leave when Mike Tr turned up really eager to race (you always get one don’t you!). The team quickly opened up the red shed and got the rescue boat out (devotion to duty or what).

The wind was about 2-3 mph (as much as that!) from the North but kept swinging through 90 degrees and Richard used a start line from flagpole to 8, then X (left of 6), 6s, 7s, 5p, 9p, 8p.

Pursuit
The rain continued for most of this race and at the gun the positions were –
1st Mike Tr – Laser; 2nd Rick – Laser; 3rd Chris H – Comet

Handicap
The wind got up to 10 – 15 mph for this second race and during the race the rain gradually stopped. It turned out to be a three lap affair and the positions remained the same for every lap.
So, the final score was –
1st Mike Tr; 2nd Rick; 3rd Chris H

On handicap it is likely that Chris will leapfrog the other two, giving him and Mike Tr a victory each on the day.

Thanks to Richard S and the OOD Team of Sally & Mike and Tim B. (I think the racers owe you a drink)

A much better wind than last week, about 12 mph from the SW, enabled Mike A to set a long first beat to 4, then 2, 5, 8, 6, 7 and back though the start .

Pursuit Race
There were 19 starters and at the end of the lap the first starter Ron (Mirror) was still leading with Peter S (Byte) in 2nd place, Karen (Radial) was 3rd and Julian B (OK) 4th. The next three boats, Ellen & Newton (RS200), Mike Tr (Laser) and Simon (Blaze) crossed the line together, but it was clear that the fastest boat on the water was the Blaze of Simon B.
At the gun Simon was up to 1st spot and Karen just managed to pass Ron to take 2nd. Jon C was up to 4th with Julian B 5th and Ellen & Newton 6th.
Bill (K1) suffered a gear problem and had to retire.

Handicap Race
At the end the first lap Simon (Blaze) was first back though the line followed by Julian B (OK), Jon C (Laser) and Richard S (Laser) and these four kept the same positions for all four laps of the race, although Simon did gradually increase his lead at the front. So all the horse trading went on behind them and Mike Tr (Laser – sporting his new radial cut sail) was through in 5th place with Newton & Ellen (RS200) hot on his transom with Dean & Nick (Vago) close on their coat tails ! (mixed metaphors for a mixed fleet). Karen (Radial) came through next in 8th place not far ahead of Alistair S and Frantz (both in Lasers). Papa S (Byte – congratulations Peter – and Sylvia of course, who had no little part to play!) was 11th but only 10 seconds behind Frantz. There was a slight gap back to Paul H (Supernova – joining the fast fleet), then Dave & Ann (Leader). About a minute later along came Ron (Mirror) who had managed to distance himself from the family battle at the back of the fleet involving Emily (Topper), Sam (Pico) and Phoebe (Oppie). Ralph crossed the start line then made a tactical retirement as he said he had a date with a camel and did not want anyone else to get the hump!

No change in the first six on the second lap but Karen, Alistair and Frantz all passed Dean & Nick to gain a place. Behind these Paul H also gained a place but no further change and Phoebe received the gun at the end of the lap.

On the third lap, remarkably there were no changes in position for the first ten boats although it was difficult to split Mike Tr and Newton & Ellen at the line in the battle for 5th place. Paul H gained another two places (confirmation of his fast fleet status, although it had taken him some time to get up steam!). The only other change in the fleet was Sam getting past Emily. They and Ron received the gun at the end of this lap.

At the end of the race Simon crossed the line well ahead of the rest of the fleet and at last there was excitement amongst the other leading boats as Newton & Ellen pipped Mike Tr for 5th place by just one second! The rest of the fleet maintained station and the final positions on the water were – 1st Simon; 2nd Julian B; 3rd Jon; 4th Richard S; 5th Newton & Ellen; 6th Mike Tr

On handicap the first two keep their positions, bur Karen moves up from 7th to 3rd pushing Jon and Richard down to 4th and 5th and Mike Tr just pips Newton & Ellen for 6th spot.

Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Bob W, Brian M, Ian B, Jess and Sally.

It was quite a good night for the last of the Gillette Series with another NW wind, but slightly stronger than last week at about 10 mph. Curtis used a flagpole start with the first mark 6 then 5, 8, 4 and back through the start.

There was a good turnout with 23 boats starting and first back through the line were Jess, Mark and Karen, all in Lasers. Dave & Ann (Leader) came through in 4th place followed by the Lasers of Jeremy and Joe with Mike A (Lightning) and Monica (Europe) not far behind them. The Solos of Newton and Steve S crossed the line next with Alistair S (Laser) sandwiched between them. Paul H led another trio of Lasers with Richard H right behind him and Mike T further back. A minute later Ron came along in his Mirror just ahead of Sally and Stuart (Leader),Dean & Nick (Vago) and Cecilia (Laser), these four boats were close together and enjoying a good tussle. Then came the battle of the juniors led by Rhys (Topper) with Jemima (Oppie) not far behind him, then further back Sam (Pico – not quite a junior but looking young enough!), Emily (Topper) and Bea Oppie).

Jess still led at the end of the second lap, but Karen had passed Mark to steal 2nd place with Dave & Ann still in 4th. Newton had gained four places to move up to 5th pushing Jeremy and Joe down to 6th and 7th. Monica and Alistair had both passed Mike A to move up to 8th and 9th places. Richard H passed both Steve S and Paul H to move to 11th and Dean & Nick gained three places to move up to 14th. Cecilia gained two by passing Mike T and Ron to move to 16th. In the battle at the back Rhys and Jemima maintained position but Emily had passed Sam with Bea persevering at the rear. Sally & Stuart, Rhys, Jemima, Emily, Sam and Bea all received the gun at the end of the lap. As usual Monica retired when lying 8th (not that she usually retires when lying 8th, but does with one lap left!)

Jess maintained her lead and crossed the line in 1st place with Karen and Mark holding 2nd and 3rd. Newton passed Dave & Ann to finish 4th. Joe had got past Jeremy to take 6th place (a good performance by Joe in a full rig Laser). With Monica’s retirement Alistair S finished in 8th place with Steve S up two places to 9th. Everyone behind these gained a nominal place courtesy of Monica.

The final position on the water were –
1st Jess; 2nd Karen; 3rd Mark; 4th Newton; 5th Dave & Ann; 6th Joe

On handicap Jess will keep her 1st place, but Jemima jumps up to 2nd pushing Karen, Mark, Newton and Dave & Ann down one place.

Thanks to Curtis and the OOD Team of Ferdinando, Paul B and Ralph.

Congratulations to Karen for winning the series and also to Jemima for finishing in 2nd place and top junior.

The final races of the series turned out to be a wet and windy affair, completely different to most of the Summer Sundays.

The incessant rain resulted in only eight starters this morning, although all of them persevered and completed both races. The series leader in both Pursuit and Handicap, Chris H in his Comet, finished in style by winning both races , so congratulations to Chris on winning the Summer Series.

Pursuit Race
Chris H (Comet) caught early starter Ron (Mirror) and managed to stay ahead of Newton & Julian (RS200) to claim victory at the gun. The final order was –
1st Chris H – Comet; 2nd Ron – Mirror; 3rd Newton & Julian – RS200; 4th Ralph – Laser;
5th Mike Tr – Laser; 6th Adrian – Rooster; 7th Chris M –Laser; 8th Nick & Dean – Vago

Handicap Race
A five lap affair and at the end of the first lap Chris H led from Newton & Ellen with Ron 3rd, but then the wind increased and Ralph came through to the lead on the second lap with Mike Tr up to 2nd and Adrian up to 3rd place. Newton & Ellen were 4th just ahead of Chris M and Dean & Nick in close company with Chris H and Ron bringing up the rear.
By the end of the third lap Mike Tr had taken the lead from Ralph and Dean & Nick were up two places to 4th pushing Newton & Ellen down to 5th place. Chris H had gained a place by passing Chris M.
Mike Tr still led on the fourth lap but Adrian had passed Ralph to move up to 2nd. Newton & Ellen and Chris M had got past Dean & Nick to move to 4th and 5th and Romn received the gun at the end of the lap.
The last lap saw Adrian with his big sail Rooster crossing the line to claim victory on the water. The only other mover was Chris H gaining two places to finish in 5th place .

The final position on the water were –
1st Adrian; 2nd Mike Tr; 3rd Ralph; 4th Newton & Ellen; 5th Chris H; 6th Chris M; 7th Nick & Dean; 8th Ron (one lap down)

On handicap of course Chris takes the victory with Mike Tr up to 2nd, Ron 3rd, Ralph 4th, Adrian 5th and Newton & Ellen 6th.

Thanks to Rick and the OOD Team of Bob W, Brian M and Chris B.

Youth/Junior and Oppie Sailing is now over for this year and what a year it was! 40 children worked towards various RYA Youth Sailing Scheme certificates, 7 children had a taster session ready to start next summer, 2 senior instructors, 2 instructors, 2 assistant instructors, 2 trainee instructors, 2 helpers and that’s without the parents and grandparents!
Monday nights have been fun and the children have learnt loads. The Oppie sailors finished the season with a Regatta and Party – it was an amazing evening of games on the water, food and prizes.

Thank you to everyone to helped and participated.

Karen