Reading Sailing Club Members

There was a reasonable wind tonight about 11 mph from the WSW. Ellen set a first beat down to 4 then 9s, 3p, 8p, 6s, 7s and back through the start.

There were 19 starters and it was good to see a mini fleet of juniors with Ed and Jemima in Oppies and Thomas in a Topper.

The first three back through the start were Karen (Laser), Mark (Laser) and Steve S (Solo), but Dean & Nick (Vago) and Newton (Solo) were not too far behind them. Dave & Ann (Leader) came through in 6th place just ahead of Curtis (Radial), then 40 seconds later Peter S (Byte), Rick (Laser) and Sally & Stuart (Leader) arrived in close company. Further back Mike A (Lightning, Paul H (Laser) and Jeremy (Laser) were having their own race some four minutes ahead of the juniors with Jemima and Thomas crossing the line together with Ed just behind them. At the rear of the fleet Dave P (Mirror) was ahead of Chris& Carol (Sport 14) with newcomer Andy B (Radial) following them.

At the end of the second lap there was no change in the first three, but Newton had passed Dean & Nick to move up to 4th place and Rick had gained three places to move to 6th. Sally & Stuart and Paul H were up one place. Further back Chris & Carol and Andy B had made up four places and Jemima was leading the juniors with Edward now 2nd and Thomas 3rd.
Chris & Carol, Andy B, Jemima, Edward, Thomas and Dave P all received the gun at the end of this lap.

The race finished at the end of the third lap with Karen crossing the line in 1st place with Mark still 2nd and Newton gaining the Solo honours by just pipping Steve S for 3rd. The other movers on this last lap were Paul H and Jeremy who both gained a place. The final positions on the water were –
1st Karen; 2nd Mark; 3rd Newton; 4th Steve S; 5th Dean & Nick; 6th Rick

On handicap, if the juniors are included in the main fleet, the positions would be –
1st Jemima; 2nd Edward; 3rd Karen; 4th Newton; 5th Steve S; 6th Mark B

If the fleets are split the juniors would be –
1st Jemima; 2nd Edward; 3rd Thomas and the seniors would be –
1st Karen; 2nd Newton; 3rd Steve S; 4th Mark B; 5th Dave & Ann; 6th Sally & Stuart

Who said – “life is simple” over to the Racing Sec to sort that one out!

Thanks to Ellen and the OOD team of Alistair S, Helene W, Nigel L and Simon (Blaze).

It was a lovely hot sunny morning, but there was hardly any wind and what there was kept changing direction. Paul R attempted to solve this problem by setting a course in the shape of a box using X, 9, 3 and 2 in the hope that at least there would be a beat at some time.

There were only four takers and it was rumoured that James pulled rank and insisted on the race taking place as he saw the chance of an easy victory ! In the event it was the bloke with the biggest sail (Adrian flying his Rooster) who was six minutes ahead of the fleet at the end of the first lap (the bigger the sail the more wind it can catch – which can be a problem in high winds but not today).
James was in 2nd place and Carol M (first time out in her sister’s Laser) was having a close battle with Rhys in his Topper for 3rd place.

By the end of the second lap James had made some inroads on Adrian’s lead and Carol had pulled further ahead of Rhys. These latter two received the gun at the end of this lap, but Paul made the two leaders go round again (well they did want to sail)

At the end of the race James had made up a little more time on Adrian, but would it be enough on handicap to snatch victory? Well the short answer is NO, so Adrian took the victory.

The final positions were –
1st Adrian; 2nd James; 3rd Rhys; 4th Carol.

Thanks to Paul R and the OOD Team of Bill C, Chris M; Nigel L and Richard H, some of whom managed to stay awake for the whole of the race.

Quite a pleasant morning, but there was only a light wind of about 6 mph and it was very shifty. Karen set the course as Xp, 5p, 9s, 2s, 3s and back through the start.

Pursuit Race
There were only 8 starters this morning, which was surprising considering the warm sunny weather. The order at the end of the first lap was pretty well the finishing order and it was only in the last 30 seconds that the lead changed when Newton & Ellen (RS200) overtook Chris H (Comet).
The final order was –
1st Newton & Ellen; 2nd; Chris H; 3rd Richard S; 4th Dave I; 5th Dave & Ann; 5th Rick; 7th Adrian; 8th Will & the Grandkids.

Handicap Race
Everyone started the second race with the addition of Steve S in his Solo.  The wind was now shifting all over the place and kept coming and going.

The leaders at the end of the first lap were Ellen & Newton (RS200) followed by Richard S (Laser) and Steve S (Solo). Rick (Laser) was 4th with Chris H (Comet) 5th and Dave & Ann (Leader) in 6th place with Dave I (Laser) 7th and Adrian (Vago) 8th with Will & the Grandkids (Enterprise) bringing up the rear (which is hardly surprising knowing the unpredictability of grandkids!)

On the second lap Steve S moved up to 2nd place and Dave I got past Dave & Ann to move up to 6th place. Will and his merry crew received the finish gun at the end of the lap.

On the last lap the first three kept their positions, but Dave & Ann moved up three places to 4th and Dave I got past Chris to move up to 5th. The final positions on the water were –
1st Ellen & Newton; 2nd Steve S; 3rd Richard S; 4th Dave & Ann; 5th Dave I; 6th Rick

On handicap Steve S will move up to 1st place with Ellen & Newton 2nd. Chris H moves up to 3rd with Dave & Ann still 4th, Richard S down to 5th and Dave I in 6th place.

Thanks to Karen and the OOD Team of Chris A, Chris M, Doug H and Stuart.

It was a very pleasant evening with the sun out, but the West wind of about 12 -10 mph gave Newton a bit of a problem in setting the start line. He settled for a safety boat start with the line parallel to the bank going directly out to X on the buoy line then 9s, 5p, 8p, Op (Red flag buoy just North of 8 and halfway along the start line)) and then back through the start line.

14 starters tonight and it was good to see Simon Ba back on the water with his yellow Laser.
There was a bit of a kerfuffle at the first mark with boats coming down the buoy line on starboard encountering boats on port trying to nip across to round the mark!
The other Simon (Blaze) was first back through the line followed by five Lasers led by Karen then Ellen, Curtis, Rick and Simon, although Curtis was using a Radial rig. Mike A (Lightning was next through and having a good tussle with Paul H (Supernova) with Sally & Stuart (Leader) and Richard H (Laser) not far behind them. Then along came Jeremy (Laser) Dave & Ann (Leader) and Chris & Carol (Sport 14) who were all close together and bringing up the rear was Jemima (Oppie) who was the only junior out on the water.

Simon, Karen and Ellen were still 1, 2 and 3 at the end of the second lap, but Rick had passed Curtis to move up to 4th place. Further back the only other mover was Richard H who had got past Sally & Stuart to move to 9th.

On the third lap there was no change in order for the first five, although Karen had moved closer to Simon (Blaze) in the lead. Richard H had gained three places to move to 6th and David & Ann had passed Jeremy.

On lap four no change at the front but a good battle in mid fleet with Simon (Laser) retaking Richard H and Jeremy moving up two places by passing the Leaders, who were having their own race with . Dave & Ann just getting past Sally & Stuart. Jemima received the gun at the end of this lap

At the end of the fifth lap Simon (Laser) had just passed Curtis to move up to 5th place when along came Simon (Blaze) to lap everyone else. So Curtis now in 6th place received the finish gun as did everyone behind him. Further back the battle waged on as Jeremy was retaken by both the Leaders.

The first five had to do an extra lap, although some of them were finishing before the other boats had completed their fifth lap as there was quite a bit of overlapping!

The final order on the water was –
1st Simon (Blaze); 2nd Karen: 3rd Ellen; 4th Rick; 5th Simon (Laser); 6th Curtis

On handicap Karen will take 1st place with Simon 2nd and Ellen 3rd, but Jemima should move up to 4th with Mike A up to 5th and Curtis 6th.

Thanks to Newton and the OOD Team of Cliff, Mark H, Nick and Tracey.

It was quite cold this morning about 7 °C, but with a NNE wind of 13-15 mph felt even colder. Mike A used an Island Start with a first beat to X (in the middle of the lake about level with the usual flag pole) then 5p, 2s, 4p, 3p and back through the start.

Pursuit Race
There were 12 starters and it was good to see another young sailor, Cassian, joining the racing fleet. At the end of the lap the earlier starters Peter S (Byte), Chris H (Comet) and Steve S (Solo) were 1,2 and 3 and about one minute ahead of the chasers. These were led by Newton & Ellen (RS200) followed closely by Karen (Laser), Simon (Blaze), Richard S (Laser but using a Radial rig) and Sally & Nev (Leader). Then there was a bit of a gap back to Jon (Laser) and a bigger gap back to Jeremy (Laser) and bringing up the rear of the fleet were young Cassian (Byte) and Marcin (Laser).
Unfortunately Cassian capsized before the end of the race, but he did well to give it a go in the brisk cold conditions. The gun went about halfway through the second lap and the finishing order was –
1st Simon; 2nd Steve S; 3rd Peter S; 4th Newton & Ellen; 5th Karen; 6th Richard S

Handicap Race
The fleet was down to 10 for the second race and the wind increased which resulted in a number of capsizes, but everyone got going again and finished the race.
At the end of the first lap Simon was well ahead of the rest. Jon came through in 2nd place not far ahead of Ellen & Newton, Karen, Steve and Richards S, the latter two crossing the line together.
There was quite a gap before Chris H and Nev & Sally also crossed the line together. Then two minutes elapsed before Peter S crossed the line just ahead of Jeremy.

On the second lap the first three boats maintained the same order, but the gaps between then increased slightly. Steve S overtook Karen and Richard S moved up two places to 4th by overtaking both of them. Further back Nev & Sally had overtaken Chris to move uo to 7th.

By the end of the third lap the three leaders remained the same, but Karen had regained 4th place by retaking Steve and Richard, and Chris H had regained 7th from Nev & Sally.
At the end of the lap Chris, Nev & Sally, Peter S and Jeremy all received the gun.

On the fourth and last lap there were no changes in position and the final order on the water was –
1st Simon; 2nd Jon; 3rd Ellen & Newton; 4th Karen; 5th Steve S; 6th Richard S.

On handicap the only change will be Steve leapfrogging Karen to take 4th spot.

Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Adele C, Gareth D, Gary B, Jerome C, Ken P and Will D, who all turned up well before the race and were most efficient.

First of all an apology – the date on the Spring Series 8 report should have been the 22nd April !

Now to Wednesday 25th April –

Last week we had a gentle breeze and lovely sunshine. This week it was blowing a hoolie with the wind 18 mph plus, gusting to 30!!

Although plenty of sailors turned up only three boats ventured out.
Ron (Mirror) and Dave L (Laser) only made it past the second mark. Ron had a problem with his mainsail which fell down. He tried to carry on with just a jib but it was pretty much impossible to sail up wind with only the jib. He valiantly tried but gave up in the end. Dave ventured too close to the buoy line got fouled up and decided to call it a day.
Simon (Blaze) had problems as soon as he launched with his sail not tied down properly. He capsized to fix it before the start and then started. He got to the first mark 5 way ahead of the others and then to the bewilderment of the many on lookers disappeared off to the far end of the lake instead of returning to 8. He reappeared some time later. It transpired later he had gone there to capsize in shallow water to further fix his sail. On his return he resumed the correct course. After another capsize at 4 he finally completed the lap. SOOD Curtis decided to finish the race as he was the only man left standing.

So the leader board was somewhat sparse with Simon the only finisher. We have had races abandoned in the past, but I cannot recall a previous race with only one boat finishing!

Thanks to Curtis and the OOD Team of Andy B, Mark H and Nick J.

The wind was in a better direction this morning blowing about 10-15 mph from the SW, which gave James more options on setting the course. Unfortunately this Jolly Sailor was not down there and the course was not recorded on the race sheet, but with the wind from the SW it was sure to be a good one!

Pursuit Race
Quite a good turn-out with 14 starters and the early starters Peter S (Byte) and Chris H (Comet) were first back through the line, but Ken (Laser) was going well in 3rd place leading the chasing pack. Karen (Laser), Simon (Blaze), Paul R (Aero), John W (Laser) and Will (Radial) were next through in close company. Richard S and Rick (Lasers) were having a good battle in mid fleet and behind them there was another battle between Adrian (Vago), Bill J (K1) and Sally and Nev (Leader), but looming up behind them was the return of the Galleon! (actually Steve P back in the 505 – but it’s the nearest we’ve got to a ship of the line).
The gun went about halfway through the second lap and the final order was –
1st Simon; 2nd Paul R; 3rd Peter S; 4th Karen; 5th Ken; 6th John W

Handicap Race
John W and Bill J dropped out so we were down to 12 for the second race, which turned out to be a four lap affair.
No surprise when Simon came through in 1st place closely followed by Paul R and these two maintained their leading positions for the whole of the race. Karen was 3rd about 30 seconds back and she was the same distance ahead of Steve P, Richard S and Ken who were very close. About a minute later along came Rick and Will and then Peter S and Adrian and bringing up the rear of the fleet were Chris H and Nev & Sally.(seemed to be some sort of pairs contest!)
On the second lap Nev found the ON switch and moved up three places but this was only change in the order.
On the third lap Richard S passed Karen to move up to 3rd and Steve P passed Ken to move to 5th place. Will came through in 7th place and was the last boat to go through to complete four laps. Nev & Sally, Adrian and Peter S all gained a place moving up to 8th, 9th and 10th respectively and they and Chris H and Rick all received the gun at the end of this lap.
On the last there were no changes in position so the final order on the water was –
1st Simon; 2nd Paul R; 3rd Richard S; 4th Karen; 5th Steve P; 6th Ken

On handicap the first four will keep their positions, but Ken will move up to 5th with Will taking 6th.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Cecilia, Chris A, Kate H, Peter D and Tracey T.

It was a great start to the Wednesday evening series with the sun out and a temperature of 24° C and a light wind from the SE. Dave L used an Island Start with the first mark as 1, then 3, 2, 5 and back through the start.

There were 18 starters and returning winter migrant Karen was first back though the line followed by Ellen, both in Lasers. Steve S switching from Aero to Solo came through in 3rd place with Hadey in her Radial behind him in 4th spot. (come on lads – three girls in the top four!)
Next along came Ralph and Richard H (Lasers) followed by the Jones boys in the Vago and Newton going Solo (he should have stuck with Ellen!). Rick (Laser) was just ahead of Chris A (Solo) with Bob L in another Solo trying to catch him. Then slightly further back there was a gaggle of mixed craft with Mike T and Alistair in Lasers, Curtis (Radial), Tracey (Comet), Sally & Stuart (the other winter migrant) in a Leader and Paul H in his Supernova.
Monica (another winter migrant) had signed on, but obviously decided a cocktail in the sun was a better idea.

The second lap was very pleasant, but none of the first nine boats deigned to pass one another! Further back Curtis gained two places and Alistair one, but they were the only movers.

On the third lap there was a dramatic change at the front with Ellen snatching the lead from Karen. This impetus did not transfer to the next six boats who remained in their current positions. Chris A did gain two places, Mike T gained three and Paul H made up four ! Tracey T retired on this lap and joined Monica on the veranda.

By the end of the fourth and last lap Karen had retaken the lead and Ralph and Newton had moved up to 4th and 5th by getting past Hadey.

The final positions on the water were –
1st Karen; 2nd Ellen; 3rd Steve S; 4th Ralph; 5th Newton; 6th Richard H

On handicap the first three remain the same, but Newton moves up one place to 4th with Ralph 5th and Hadey moving up to 6th.

Thanks to Dave L and the OOD Team of Helene W, Karen A, Mike C, Colin H and Pablo

For those of you who are sitting in the sun on the veranda at the club looking at the sailors on the water and thinking about learning to sail this year ………

We have limited spaces available on the May 5th / 7th course for beginners, adults level 1 and youth stage 1

To book …….

Contact: training@readingsc.org.uk

The Spring Series 6 races were cancelled due to flooding following the heavy rain during the week before. Thankfully the waters subsided and we were back in business for this Sunday. The wind was about 10 mph from the SSE and Peter S used an Island start with a first beat to 1 then 3, 2, 5, X and back through the start.

Pursuit Race
18 starters this morning, which may be the highest number this year and good to see Curtis and Paul H back on the water after their winter hibernation! Sally had joined the Comet fleet and Dean had abandoned his Vago in favour of his Laser. Early starter Rhys (Topper) was still in the lead at the end of the first lap followed by even earlier starter Mirror 12089 (you need to sign in on the Declaration Sheet lads or lassies?). The two Comets of Chris H and Nev were next through the line but being caught by Newton & Ellen (RS200) and Simon B (Blaze) and they were followed by Mike C (Wanderer). At the gun the positions were –
1st Simon; 2nd Newton & Ellen; 3rd Chris H; 4th James; 5th Richard S; 6th Mike C
Note this – a Wanderer on the Leader Board.

Handicap Race
Simon B was first back through the line followed as usual by Ellen & Newton and then James. Chris H (Comet) and Hugh (Laser) crossed the line together as did Rick and Richard (Lasers) just behind them.
On the second lap the leading seven boats remained in the same positions, but there was an almighty scrap for the next place with Dean (Laser), Nev(Comet), Hadey, William and Curtis (all in Radials),Adrian in his Vago and Mike C in his Wanderer all pressing for 8th place. Further back Paul H (Supernova) was feeling lonely and some way ahead of Rhys and Sally with Mirroe12089 bringing up the rear.
At the end of the third lap the first three were still clear but Rick had moved up to 4th with Richard S 5th Hugh 6th and Dean 7th.Further back Adrian and Mike C had both moved up two places and Paul H moved up one place. Sally and 186 (don’t ask me – no name or boat on Declaration Sheet or Race Sheet !) retired on this lap.
The fourth lap was the last and Simon B retained his lead right to the end and the first three had maintained their places throughout the whole of the race. Richard moved up to 4th by passing Rick and Chris H held off Dean to finish 7th. Nev and Mike C both gained two places on the last lap, but everyone else maintained station or lost places.

The final positons on the water were –
1st Simon; 2nd Ellen & Newton; 3rd James 4th Richard S; 5th Rick; 6th Hugh

On handicap Chris H will move up to take the victory with Ellen & Newton 2nd, James and Richard still 3rdand 4th, Simon 5th and Rick 6th.

Thanks to Peter S and his OOD Team, who should have been Jerome C and Chris A, but again no names on the race sheet.

A note to all racers – if you do not sign in on the Declaration Sheet you are not officially taking part in the race !

A note to all OODs – please make sure your name is entered on the race sheet or you may be allocated further duties !